Expanding Safety and Support for Families: Safe Haven Grows to Harbor Springs | | |
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month--a time to honor survivors, raise awareness, and recommit to building safer communities. At Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan (CFS), one of the ways we do this is through our Safe Haven program, which provides spaces where children can maintain healthy relationships with both parents in a safe, supervised environment.
For families affected by domestic violence, supervised visitation and exchange services are often court-ordered to ensure safety. Until recently, many families living in northern Michigan faced long drives—sometimes hours each way—to access these services in Traverse City.
“Families were being referred to our Traverse City site from as far away as Sault Ste. Marie, Petoskey, and Charlevoix,” explains Paula Smith, Director of Behavioral Health at CFS. “That meant kids were spending hours in the car after school or on weekends, and parents were facing real barriers just to participate.”
Recognizing the need for a closer, more accessible option, CFS opened a Safe Haven site in Harbor Springs last fall. The expansion was made possible through a grant from the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) and partnerships with Legal Services of Northern Michigan, the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, and family courts in Emmet, Cheboygan, and Charlevoix Counties.
“Since launching services last November, referrals have steadily increased,” says Paula. “Families are so grateful they don’t have to travel so far, and with a new playground now at the Harbor Springs office, we have even more space for safe, positive visits!”
Beyond supervised visits and exchanges, the CFS team also connects survivors to critical resources—everything from gas cards and rental assistance to clothing and household items—thanks to generous community support.
“If we can help a survivor meet their basic needs, they’re less likely to return to an unsafe situation,” Paula explains. “One of the main reasons survivors go back to their abuser is a lack of resources. When we help meet those needs, we’re empowering them to move forward safely.”
CFS also remains committed to raising awareness locally. Last year, the agency hosted a Domestic Violence Awareness Walk and hopes to bring it back in the future.
As we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we celebrate the growth of Safe Haven and the many partners and donors who make this work possible.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Safe Haven team in Traverse City or Harbor Springs, CFS is currently hiring. Together, we can continue to build a safer, stronger northern Michigan.
| | | Playgrounds are Priceless | | |
Years of research confirm that being outdoors can be beneficial. Spending time in nature triggers a physiological response that lowers stress levels and is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress. We want all of these benefits for our clients--children and parents who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and who are working to improve parent-child relationships and mental health.
For all these reasons, we now provide an outdoor option for family time supervised visits, safe child exchanges, and counseling sessions at both the Traverse City and Harbor Springs CFS locations!
The Harbor Springs playground is ready to use, featuring a picnic table, funnel ball, swing, and pull-up bar, as well as balls and toys. And while CFS at Traverse City has long had a playground, it is getting renovated into a nature-based playground, featuring a wobble bridge, swings, in-ground slide, signs with fun energy activities, veggie gardens, and a host of smaller features (including a messy favorite—the mud kitchen!). Nature-based playgrounds incorporate natural materials in a setting where children can explore, climb, and interact with their surroundings, enjoying unstructured, creative, and imaginative play. Both playgrounds give parents and children the opportunity to build positive memories together.
These outdoor spaces will be used for years to come. We give a huge shout-out to our donors, which include TCLP, the Mahogany Foundation, the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, Hestia Women’s Giving Circle, Great Lakes Energy People’s Fund, Petoskey Walmart, Zonta Club of Petoskey, St. John’s Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church of Petoskey, Paul Howes, Men's Shed, and many other individual donors and craftspeople.
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🎃 Join Us Next Week for Trunk or Treat at CFS! Friday, October 24 | 5:00–6:30 PM
Bring the whole family for a fun evening of costumes, candy, and yard games in a safe, family-friendly environment!
While you’re here, stop by the CFS Lobby to meet our Licensing Team and learn more about our programs and current needs for Respite Providers, Host Homes, and Foster Parents.
We can’t wait to see you there! 👻
Can't make it but want to support the event? Drop off unopened bags of candy at the Veterans Drive office Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm.
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Interested in Fostering but Not Sure Where to Start?
Whether you’re curious about short-term respite care, full-time foster parenting, or hosting runaway and homeless youth, we’re here to help you explore your options and get your questions answered.
Join one of our free virtual info sessions, led by our experienced licensing staff. The process is easier than you think—and the difference you can make in a child’s life is truly life-changing.
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Intro To Fostering
Wednesday, November 19th | 11:00 am
Click here to register
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Respite Q&A
Tuesday, November 14th | 11:00 am
Click here to register
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Let’s Talk Respite: Q&A Mingle
Friday, November 14 | 5:30–6:30 PM
The Center | 201 W Broadway, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
Do you want to make a difference for children in your community? Join us for an informal evening to learn about becoming a Respite Care Provider—offering short-term care and support for children in foster care.
Enjoy light snacks, ask questions, and meet our licensing team to learn how you can help provide stability and compassion when it’s needed most.
Together, we can make a lasting impact—one child, one family, one respite at a time
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🎁 Paper Angels 2025 — Donor Sign-Up Coming Soon!
Keep an eye out — Paper Angels is just around the corner! Starting November 5, 2025, we’ll begin accepting donor requests for wish lists to help make the holidays brighter for children and youth served by CFS.
We’ll begin matching wish lists to donors on November 10, and gift drop-off will take place on December 6 from 9:30 AM–3:00 PM.
More details on how to get involved will be shared soon.
Together, we can make the season special for every child. ✨
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Huntington Bank Awards $10,000 Grant to Support Families in Foster Care
We’re honored to share that Huntington National Bank has awarded a $10,000 grant through its Impact Investment Philanthropy Program to support our Placement Support Specialist position—for the third year in a row!
This vital role helps foster parents and natural parents work together to ensure children’s needs are met, offering consistency and compassion during a challenging time. Huntington’s continued partnership strengthens our shared commitment to supporting families and creating brighter futures for children in foster care.
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Our 2024 Annual Report
For over 87 years, Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan has stood alongside children, youth, and families—offering stability, support, and hope. Our 2024 Annual Report reflects the resilience of those we serve, the dedication of our team, and the generosity of supporters like you.
Thank you for being part of our mission. Your support keeps us deeply rooted and allows hope to grow.
Read our Annual Report here.
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Help Us Stay Steady Through Uncertain Times
Recent funding cuts have deeply impacted YouthWork and other vital programs. By becoming a monthly sustaining donor, you help ensure we can keep showing up for vulnerable youth—month after month, no matter what. Your ongoing support makes long-term impact possible.
| | Our child welfare, counseling, wraparound and respite programs are accredited by CARF International, assuring the more than 1,000 businesses, individuals, and organizations who contributed to our work last year of our commitment to clinical, administrative, and fiscal excellence. | | Candid has awarded CFS the highest level of organizational transparency, reflecting our commitment to integrity and accountability. | | |
Connect With Us
Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan
3785 Veterans Drive, Traverse City | (231) 946-8975
3434 M-119, Ste F, Harbor Springs | (231) 347-4463
cfs@cfs3L.org | www.cfsnwmi.org
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