Safe Shelter
Every Woman’s Place operates a 20-bed emergency safe shelter in Muskegon for survivors of domestic violence and their children. Residents typically stay about 45 days and receive basic needs (food, emergency clothing, limited financial help) plus trauma-informed advocacy: daily support with safety planning and PPOs, transportation, and warm handoffs to housing, employment, legal, health, and benefits resources. On-site partners like TrueNorth, Michigan Works, and HealthWest meet clients at the shelter, reducing barriers so families can stabilize and move toward safe, permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
Why it supports United Way’s mission:
The Safe Shelter directly advances United Way of the Lakeshore’s Healthy Families/Individuals—Domestic Violence priority by providing an immediate reprieve from violence and a secure environment where ALICE households can address the economic fallout of abuse (lost income, damaged credit, childcare and transportation gaps). United Way support keeps beds open and funds flexible assistance and advocacy that help survivors return to work, secure housing, and meet basic needs—tangible progress toward a community where more working families can thrive.