No one should face life's most vulnerable moments alone.
Safe Harbor Circles mobilizes trained community volunteers to walk alongside individuals and families facing homelessness during critical life transitions — providing practical support, accountability, and human connection.
per Circle
program duration
stabilization rate
4–8 trained volunteers commit to walking alongside one participant for a defined stabilization period
Homelessness often happens
during life's hardest transitions.
Services exist — but consistent human support during critical transition moments often doesn't. That gap is where Safe Harbor Circles works.
Aging Out of Foster Care
Young adults transitioning out of foster care enter adulthood without family support networks, financial stability, or stable housing — at one of the most vulnerable moments in their lives.
Returning Home from Incarceration
Individuals leaving incarceration face compounding barriers: limited housing access, employment discrimination, and the need to rebuild community trust — all simultaneously.
Immigration System Failures
Legal or administrative breakdowns can suddenly remove stability, work authorization, or housing for immigrants and families — often with little warning or support.
Discharge from Mental Health Care
People leaving inpatient or crisis mental health treatment are frequently discharged into unstable situations, with insufficient community support to maintain the progress they've made.
Many individuals experience homelessness not because services do not exist, but because they lack consistent community support during major life transitions.
The Safe Harbor Circle Model
Small, structured, trained — circles of community members who commit to walking alongside one participant through a defined period of stabilization.
Referral & Matching
Partner organizations refer eligible participants. SHC matches each individual or family with a Circle of 4–8 trained volunteers whose skills and availability fit their specific needs.
Volunteer Training
All Circle volunteers complete the SHC Volunteer Training Framework — covering trauma-informed support, ethical boundaries, cultural humility, housing navigation, and crisis response.
Circle Accompaniment
The Circle walks alongside the participant during their stabilization period — providing consistent support, practical assistance, accountability, and human connection.
SHC Coordination & Oversight
Safe Harbor Circles staff coordinate Circles, maintain partner relationships, monitor outcomes, and provide ongoing training and supervision throughout the stabilization period.
Stabilization & Transition
As participants achieve housing stability, Circles transition support — maintaining community connection while celebrating independence and documenting outcomes for program learning.
Circle Volunteer Roles
Each Circle typically includes volunteers who contribute different types of support based on their strengths and the participant's needs.
Advocate
Helps participants navigate systems and communicate with service providers
Resource Connector
Identifies housing, employment, and social service resources that match needs
Transportation Support
Helps with appointments, job interviews, housing viewings, and essential errands
Language Bridge
Assists immigrants and families navigating language barriers in services
Wellness Companion
Provides non-clinical emotional support, encouragement, and accountability
Who We Serve
Safe Harbor Circles focuses on individuals and families at high risk of homelessness during major life transitions — the moments when systems often fall short and human connection matters most.
Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Young adults entering independence without family support, stable housing, or established social networks. SHC circles provide mentorship, practical guidance, and the relational support that helps them build stable, independent lives.
Youth TransitionIndividuals Returning from Incarceration
People rebuilding their lives after incarceration face compounding barriers to housing, employment, and community reintegration. Circles offer consistent community support and help individuals reconnect with the resources they need to succeed.
Reentry SupportIndividuals Facing Immigration System Failures
Immigrants and families who experience sudden instability due to legal or administrative challenges. Circles help stabilize families, provide language access, and connect them to legal, social, and community resources during uncertain times.
Immigration SupportIndividuals Discharged from Mental Health Care
People leaving inpatient or crisis mental health treatment who need community accompaniment to maintain stability. Circles provide consistent human support, service navigation, and the connection necessary to rebuild their lives.
Mental Health TransitionTrained, Prepared, and Supported
Every Circle volunteer completes the Safe Harbor Circles Volunteer Training Framework before accompanying a participant — ensuring safe, ethical, and effective community support.
Understanding Housing Instability
Structural barriers to housing, navigating service systems, and the role of community support in stabilization across different transition populations.
Trauma-Informed Support
Trauma awareness, emotional safety, respectful communication, and approaches to supporting participants without re-traumatization.
Healthy Boundaries & Ethics
Maintaining healthy volunteer boundaries, confidentiality, trust, and recognizing when to refer participants to professional providers.
Resource Navigation
Housing assistance programs, workforce and education opportunities, health and social services, and connecting participants with local providers.
Cultural Humility
Cultural awareness, language access, understanding immigration experiences, and recognizing systemic inequities that affect the populations we serve.
Crisis Awareness & Referral
Recognizing crisis situations requiring professional intervention and using SHC referral protocols to connect participants with appropriate emergency support.
18-Month Demonstration Program
Safe Harbor Circles is launching an 18-month pilot on Maryland's Eastern Shore — demonstrating how community-based volunteer networks can stabilize individuals and families during critical transitions.
Geographic Focus
Initial implementation on Maryland's Eastern Shore, with capacity to expand to additional counties. Serving Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset Counties — one of Maryland's most underserved regions for homelessness services.
Implementation Timeline
Program Setup
Establish referral partnerships, recruit volunteers, finalize training curriculum, and launch community outreach across the Eastern Shore.
Training & Circle Formation
Conduct volunteer training cohorts, organize circles, and prepare the participant matching system with partner agencies.
Active Participant Support
Match participants with circles, provide ongoing coordination and supervision, and monitor stabilization outcomes across all active circles.
Evaluation & Learning
Track housing stability, service connection, volunteer engagement, and participant well-being. Findings inform future expansion across Maryland and beyond.
Why Our Work Matters
The populations Safe Harbor Circles serves face homelessness at dramatically higher rates than the general public — not because of individual failure, but because of system gaps at the most vulnerable moments of transition.
Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Sources: Annie E. Casey Foundation (2024); Youth.gov; U.S. Children's Bureau
Returning from Incarceration
Sources: Prison Policy Initiative; U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness; Community Solutions (2024)
Immigration System Challenges
Sources: HUD 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report; National Alliance to End Homelessness (2025)
Mental Health Discharge
Sources: JAMA Psychiatry (2024); NAMI Mental Health by the Numbers (2025); National Alliance to End Homelessness
Community support changes outcomes.
Research consistently shows that strong social support networks are among the most powerful predictors of housing stability — especially during critical life transitions. That is exactly what Safe Harbor Circles provides.
"Strong social support networks are one of the most powerful predictors of housing stability and long-term independence."
— The Foundation of the Safe Harbor Circles Model
A Community-Wide Coalition
Safe Harbor Circles works in partnership with organizations across the Eastern Shore to ensure participants receive coordinated, comprehensive support.
Partnership inquiries welcome — contact us to discuss collaboration.
The People Behind the Circles
Safe Harbor Circles is led by a founding team committed to community-powered solutions to homelessness — bringing together public health, operations, and civic leadership.
Dr. Marie D. Fouché
The founding visionary of Safe Harbor Circles, Dr. Fouché brings deep public health expertise and unwavering community commitment to building and leading the Circle model from the ground up.
LinkedInJessica Theodore
Jessica leads Safe Harbor Circles' day-to-day operations, human resources, and organizational systems — ensuring the program runs effectively and every team member is supported.
LinkedInRenee Delmas
Renee serves on the Safe Harbor Circles founding board, contributing strategic leadership and community perspective to advance the organization's mission on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
LinkedInNathalie T. Saint-Phard
Nathalie drives Safe Harbor Circles' community engagement strategy — building relationships with partner organizations, faith communities, and neighborhood networks across the Eastern Shore.
LinkedInDenean Jones-Ward
Denean leads SHC's educational and workforce development initiatives, building pathways that connect participants to learning opportunities and sustainable career growth.
LinkedInLee Drinkwater
Lee coordinates Safe Harbor Circles' care teams — supporting volunteers, facilitating Circle communication, and ensuring participants receive consistent, well-organized accompaniment throughout their stabilization journey.
LinkedInWe are actively building our team. To learn about leadership and staff opportunities, contact us →
Invest in Community-Powered Stability
18-month Maryland pilot investment · Foundation, government, and institutional funders welcome
Volunteer Training & Coordination
Curriculum development, training delivery, and ongoing Circle supervision
Program Management & Evaluation
Staff capacity, HMIS-aligned data tracking, and outcomes evaluation
Participant Support Resources
Direct financial assistance for housing barriers, transportation, and stabilization
Outreach & Partnership Development
Community engagement, referral network building, and participant recruitment
Know someone who needs a Circle?
If you work with individuals facing housing instability — or know someone personally who is navigating a difficult life transition — you can refer them to Safe Harbor Circles. Our team will reach out to assess fit and begin the matching process.
- Who can refer: Social workers, case managers, reentry staff, healthcare providers, teachers, faith leaders, family members, or anyone who knows someone in need.
- Who qualifies: Individuals or families navigating homelessness risk due to aging out of foster care, reentry from incarceration, immigration challenges, or mental health discharge.
- What happens next: Our team reviews each referral, reaches out within 3–5 business days, and works with the individual and referring party to determine fit and next steps.
- Confidential & respectful: All referrals are handled with care, dignity, and full confidentiality in accordance with our participant privacy policies.
Ready to walk alongside someone?
Starting a Circle means committing to walk alongside one individual or family during a critical life transition. Circles are small — 4 to 8 trained volunteers — and every member brings something different. You don't need to be an expert. You need to show up.
- Complete training first: All Circle volunteers complete the SHC Volunteer Training Framework — covering trauma-informed support, boundaries, resource navigation, and cultural humility.
- Commit to the process: Circles accompany participants for a defined stabilization period. We ask for consistent presence and communication throughout.
- Bring others: The most effective Circles include people with diverse skills — advocates, navigators, language support, transportation, emotional support. Invite people you trust.
- You won't be alone: SHC staff coordinate your Circle, provide supervision, and are available throughout the stabilization process. You lead — we support.
Join the Circle
Whether you're a funder, partner organization, volunteer, or community member — there's a place for you in Safe Harbor Circles.
Our Leadership
Safe Harbor Circles was founded by Dr. Marie D. Fouché and is led by a five-member Board of Directors.
Dr. Marie D. Fouché
Founder & President · Board of Directors · MD, MPH
Jessica Theodore
Chief Operations Officer & HR Director · Board of Directors
Contact Us
Safe Harbor Circles
5000 Thayer Center, Suite C
Oakland, MD 21550
443-317-9197
Serving Wicomico, Worcester & Somerset Counties
Maryland's Eastern Shore
For Funders & Partners
We welcome conversations with foundations, government agencies, and community organizations interested in supporting or partnering with our Maryland pilot program.
View funding opportunity →
Volunteer Training Inquiries
Interested in becoming a Circle volunteer? Complete the contact form or use the Start a Circle form above — our team will reach out with information about the next volunteer training cohort.
Stay Informed
Get updates on Safe Harbor Circles news, volunteer training dates, and program milestones.