Safe Haven Ministries

Domestic Violence & Anti-Trafficking Seminar
2025-06-25 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Detroit)
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 ***

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, 2025-12-03 10:00 - 12:00
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

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.
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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

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.
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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, 2025-11-12 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-11-19 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-11-26 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-12-03 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-12-10 10:30 - 12:00
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

Relationship Abuse Educational Support Group
2025-11-06 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-11-13 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-11-20 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-11-27 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-12-04 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-12-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Safe Haven Ministries, 2627 Birchcrest Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506
This 6-week educational support group is for people who have experienced physical, sexual, emotional, 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.
Snacks and Refreshments provided. Childcare provided.
No need to register. Questions? Call or text: 616-452-6664. All groups take place at Safe Haven’s office.

November 2025 Domestic Violence & Anti-Trafficking Seminar (DVAATS)
2025-11-11 09:00 - 12:00

Relationship Abuse Virtual Support Group (Virtual)
2026-01-07 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-01-14 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-01-21 10:30 - 12:00
This 8-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

Advanced Relationship Abuse Educational Support Group
2026-01-08 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-01-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Safe Haven Ministries, 2627 Birchcrest Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506
This 8-week educational advanced support group is for survivors of relationship abuse who have completed a cycle of Safe Haven Ministries’ Relationship Abuse Support Group or have participated in similar programming. In addition, we will focus on these topics specifically around the holiday season.
Snacks and Refreshments provided. Childcare provided.
No need to register. Questions? Call or text: 616-452-6664. All groups take place at Safe Haven’s office.

January 2026 Domestic Violence & Anti-Trafficking Seminar (DVAATS)
2026-01-20 13:00 - 16:00
The $25.00 registration fee covers all learning materials.
Register Now
Approximately every 3 months, Safe Haven facilitates its Domestic Violence and Anti-Trafficking Seminar – a foundational training that is open to the public. This training is well-suited for community members that might occasionally work with victims/survivors of domestic violence and/or human trafficking, or for anyone interested in learning more about Safe Haven’s work in the community.
During this 3-hour seminar, participants will explore an array of topics including:
Overview of Safe Haven’s programs, eligibility and referral process

Definitions of domestic violence and human trafficking
The intersection of domestic violence and human trafficking
Risk factors and indicators of relationship abuse and human trafficking
Characteristics of abusers and traffickers
A brief overview of human trafficking typologies
Basics of the neurobiology of trauma
Strategies and steps for providing support to adolescent and adult victims/survivors

Safe Haven’s seminars use an array of teaching methods and incorporate opportunities for participants to reflect and apply the content they are learning through discussion and activities.
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
