Safe Haven Ministries

Domestic Violence & Anti-Trafficking Seminar
2024-10-03 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Detroit) | Calvin University Meeter Center Lecture Hall, 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, United States
The $25.00 registration fee covers all learning materials.
If you are a staff, active student, volunteer or intern, the fee for training is waived. Please select this option on the registration form.
Please note that this seminar is not the best environment for an individual who is currently experiencing domestic abuse or human trafficking. Please call or text our hotline if you would like information on support groups: 616-452-6664
Please contact us at 616-452-6664 or prevention@shmgr.org with questions.
*** REGISTER HERE ***

Coffee With The CEO
2024-10-10 08:30 - 10:00 | Safe Haven Ministries, 2627 Birchcrest Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506
Connect with our CEO, Rachel VerWys for an opportunity to tour our facility and learn more about our mission.
Join community members for learning, networking and light refreshments.
FREE event – click here to register.

Safe Haven Domestic Violence Prayer Vigil
2024-10-10 12:00 - 13:00 | The Blue Bridge, Blue Footbridge, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
Safe Haven recognizes the power of calling together people of prayer to both lament our current reality and cry out in response to this growing violence as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For more information, contact Tony Tendero (Safe Haven Ministries) at atendero@shmgr.org.

CoC Training: Domestic Violence & Human Trafficking
2024-10-17 08:30 - 12:30 | Michigan
Thursday, October 17 @ 8:30am – 12:30pm
Mel Trotter Ministries (225 Commerce Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
Cost is $10/person (If cost is a concern, waivers are available. Contact rparmenter@hwmuw.org for more information.)
Click here to register.
This training will cover the complex dynamics of domestic violence and human trafficking, particularly at the intersection of homelessness and housing instability. This training is geared toward individuals providing an array of housing services and will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to better understand and recognize indicators of domestic violence and human trafficking, effective strategies for brief screening and short-term support, and key components of effective safety planning and warm referrals.
Through this training, participants will also increase their understanding of confidentiality and privacy considerations for victims/survivors, Category 4 homelessness and other relevant considerations as it relates to HUD regulations and the Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA).

Bilingual Church Certification Workshop
2024-10-26 08:30 - 17:00 | Lee St. Church, 1261 Lee St SW, Wyoming, MI, 49509, United States
Bilingual Church Certification Workshop
Lee St. Church; 1261 Lee St SW, Wyoming, MI 49509
$100 fee per church team
Click here to register.
Coffee, refreshments, and lunch will be provided.
English Flyer | Spanish Flyer
Safe Haven Ministries’ Church Certification program equips faith communities to prevent and effectively respond to domestic violence and human trafficking. Through training, culture development, and ongoing coaching, churches increase their confidence and capacity to create flourishing Kingdom communities.

Taller de Certificación de Iglesia Bilingüe
Lee St. Church; 1261 Lee St SW, Wyoming, MI 49509
El precio es $100 por equipo de la iglesia.
Hacer clic aquí para registrarse.
Se Provera café, refrescos y almuerzo.
volante en inglés | volante español
El programa de Certificación de Iglesias de Safe Haven Ministries capacita a las comunidades religiosas para prevenir y responder efectivamente a la violencia doméstica y la trata de personas. A través de la capacitación, el desarrollo cultural y el entrenamiento continuo, las iglesias aumentan su confianza y capacidad para crear comunidades prósperas del Reino.

"For Our Daughters" Community Film Screening
2024-10-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Celebration Cinema Rivertown, 3728 Rivertown Pkwy., Grandville, MI, 49418, United States
As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Safe Haven has partnered with Kristin Kobes DuMez – Calvin University professor and producer of “For Our Daughters” – for a FREE community screening, panel discussion and Q&A.
Panelists:
Rachel VerWys (CEO, Safe Haven Ministries)
Kristin Kobes-DuMez (Calvin College, Professor of History & Gender Studies)
“For Our Daughters” is a new 30-minute documentary highlighting the need for abuse reform within the church and beyond (view trailer). Click here to register.
*** [Disclaimer: Film contains detailed descriptions and portrayal of sexual abuse. Please call or text our hotline for information on support groups: 616-452-6664.] ***

Domestic Violence & Anti-Trafficking Seminar
2024-11-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Safe Haven Ministries, 2627 Birchcrest Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506

New Entry Training: Nov. 12 & 14
2024-11-12 12:30 - 17:00 | Safe Haven Ministries, 2627 Birchcrest Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506
We’re excited to have you at Safe Haven!
All new staff, interns, and volunteers are required to attend “New Entry” training.
This training is held Tuesday, Nov. 12 and Thursday, Nov. 14 from 12:30 – 5:00 p.m.
NOTE: Registering for this training registers you for both Tuesday and Thursday training days.
Click here to register.

Human Trafficking Seminar
2024-12-05 12:00 - 14:00 | Safe Haven Ministries, 2627 Birchcrest Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506
The $25.00 registration fee covers all learning materials.
If you are a staff, active student, volunteer or intern, the fee for training is waived. Please select this option on the registration form.
Please note that this seminar is not the best environment for an individual who is currently experiencing domestic abuse or human trafficking. Please call or text our hotline if you would like information on support groups: 616-452-6664
Please contact us at 616-452-6664 or prevention@shmgr.org with questions.
REGISTER HERE

Human Trafficking Seminar
2025-01-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-01-29 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-03-12 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-05-20 09:00 - 11:00 | Michigan

Domestic Violence & Anti-Trafficking Seminar
2025-01-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Safe Haven Ministries, 2627 Birchcrest Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506
The $25.00 registration fee covers all learning materials.
If you are a Safe Haven Ministries staff and/or active student, volunteer or intern, the fee for training is waived. Please select this option on the registration form.
NOTE: This seminar is not the best environment for an individual currently experiencing domestic abuse or human trafficking. Please call or text our hotline if you would like information on support groups: 616-452-6664.
For questions, contact Safe Haven at 616-452-6664 or prevention@shmgr.org.
*** REGISTER HERE ***

Domestic Violence & Anti-Trafficking Seminar
2025-02-03 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-26 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-06 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Michigan

Coffee With Our CEO
2025-02-26 08:30 - 09:30 | Michigan
Please join us on February 26th for Coffee With Our CEO!
Coffee & refreshments will be provided from 8:30-9:30am as we invite all interested to join CEO, Rachel VerWys and learn more about Safe Haven Ministries.
“When you work in the space of supporting survivors, you will see the resilience and the strength come through time and time again.”

Open Space Event
2025-05-07 09:00 - 12:00 | Michigan
Save the date!
Your business can help build communities where families thrive.

When: May 7th, 2025 9am – 12pm
Where: MSU College of Human Medicine Secchia Center, Christman Community Commons
15 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Join us for conversation, networking, and refreshments!

Register Now

Church Connect
2025-08-06 09:00 - 11:00 | Safe Haven Ministries, 2627 Birchcrest Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506
Continental Breakfast & Coffee
Join us for a meal around the table, networking, and a chance to grow in this work of preventing and ending domestic violence and human trafficking.
You’ll receive four tools for serving your church community.

Safe Haven Ministries’ Church Certification Testimony video to enable you to share the story of our equipping opportunity.
The new booklet Connecting the Biblical Narrative which will help you and your church community to understand the links to this work in the stories of Abraham, Moses, Rahab, Joseph, and Mary.
Our new one pager, The Role of an Effective Referrer which gives concrete actions to effectively support survivors.
Our Intercession Resource will enable you to regularly join with people of prayer who are lifting up Safe Haven Ministries.

We look forward to you joining us. Register by August 1st.
Click here to register.

Human Trafficking Seminar (HTS)
2025-08-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Michigan
The $25.00 registration fee covers all learning materials. If you are a staff, active student, volunteer or intern, the fee for training is waived. Please select this option on the registration form. Please note that this seminar is not the best environment for an individual who is currently experiencing domestic abuse or human trafficking. Please call or text our hotline if you would like information on support groups: 616-452-6664 Please contact us at 616-452-6664 or prevention@shmgr.org with questions.
Register Now

August 2025 Domestic Violence & Anti-Trafficking Seminar (DVAATS)
2025-08-19 13:00 - 16:00 | Michigan

35th Annual Fall Luncheon
2025-09-23 11:30 - 13:00 | JW Marriott Grand Rapids, 235 Louis St NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join Us in Continuing Our Mission
Safe Haven Ministries invites you to attend our annual Fall Luncheon on September 23 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids. This event will celebrate the 35 years of impact we’ve made together and a powerful opportunity to further our mission of ending domestic abuse and human trafficking.
Your presence and generosity will directly support our programs, outreach efforts, and safe housing initiatives.
Please join for a beautiful afternoon filled with:

A delicious lunch and refreshments.
Powerful stories from survivors and advocates.
A message from our CEO Rachel VerWys.
A musical performance.
Opportunities to connect, reflect, and inspire action.

If you are not able to join us but would still like to support Safe Haven Ministries’ efforts, please consider making a donation online or contacting Debbie Murphy at dmurphy@safehavenministries.org for additional ways to get involved.
Register Now

Documentary and Panel Discussion
2025-10-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Celebration Cinema Studio Park Theater, 123 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
This is Where I Learned Not to Sleep followed by discussion with a panel including Rachel VerWys the CEO of Safe Haven and Chief Winstrom of the GRPD.
Buy Tickets at https://kinema.com/events/This-Is-Where-I-Learned-Not-To-Sleep-iqwjba
Description of This is Where I Learned Not to Sleep
Part quest for justice. Part journey towards healing. Decorated Nashville cop Mark Wynn wrestles with his own violent childhood while working to reform decades of domestic violence mishandling, cover-ups, and abuse from deep within law enforcement. “I lived with a monster. I know how this works.” Lt. Mark Wynn challenges fellow police officers to end generations of disregard and systemic failures around domestic violence. While training officers in rural Texas, Mark revisits his childhood home for the first time since he escaped as a child and confronts his family’s traumatic past. How was he able to break the cycle of violence that traps so many men? With access to sensitive police trainings, the film explores the complex relationship between police and family violence. By revealing his own haunting childhood, Mark challenges other men to stand up and reform the system to better help women and children. “Men create 98% of these crimes – it’s up to us to stop the violence.” Bringing together the Producers, Impact Producers and Filmmakers from The Homestretch, Audrey & Daisy, Private Violence and Bully, this project brings a unique depth to the dialogue around police reform and challenges perceptions of violence against women and children.

October 2025 Domestic Violence & Anti-Trafficking Seminar (DVAATS)
2025-10-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Michigan

Coffee With Our CEO
2025-10-15 08:30 - 10:00 | Safe Haven Ministries, 2627 Birchcrest Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506
Please join us on October 15th for Coffee With Our CEO!
Coffee & refreshments will be provided from 8:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m. as we invite all interested to join CEO, Rachel VerWys, and learn more about Safe Haven Ministries.
Register Now

Domestic Violence Webinar: 3 Steps to Move from Awareness to Action
2025-10-23 12:00 - 13:30
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but what would it look like if our community became even more equipped to take ACTION to address domestic violence? During this 90-minute webinar participants will learn more about domestic violence violence including 3 practical steps that can move response efforts from awareness building to tangible action. Participants will leave with a concrete understanding of ways they can recognize, respond and prevent domestic violence in their personal and/or professional lives.
The cost for this training is $20. If cost is a prohibitive factor, please reach out to Tara at taday@shmgr.org to explore a reduced cost option.
Register Now

Relationship Abuse Virtual Support Group (Virtual)
2025-11-05 10:30 - 12:00 | Michigan
This 6-week interactive educational support group is for people who have experienced emotional, physical, sexual, verbal, financial, and/or spiritual abuse. We will also focus on these topics specifically around the holiday season. Attendees will gain knowledge of relationship abuse and receive support in a safe & confidential environment.
This group takes place virtually via Zoom. For the link, please email rmccaul@shmgr.org
