Foster Care

The Guiding Harbor Foster Care Program provides services to children birth through eighteen years of age. The program is designed to provide a nurturing setting for children who are either temporarily or permanently unable to return to their family of origin.

Girlstown Residential

Girlstown, formerly known as Loch Rio, is the oldest and most well known program that Guiding Harbor offers, successfully serving over 500 adolescent females since inception.

Supervised Independent Living

Guiding Harbor’s Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Program is designed to assist young adults in developing independent living skills, enhancing educational / vocational and career choices while offering employment opportunities.

Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care Program

The Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care (YAVFC) Program is designed to assist young adults in developing independent living skills, enhancing educational / vocational and career choices while offering employment opportunities.

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Guiding Harbor, located in Belleville, MI, is a private, non-profit organization founded by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Michigan (GFWC-MI), that provides child caring and child placement services for abused and neglected children.

Welcome to Guiding Harbor

Formerly Girlstown Foundation

Guiding Harbor is a private, non-profit organization founded by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Michigan (GFWC-MI), that provides child caring and child placement services for abused and neglected children. Our services include: Foster Care, Supervised Independent Living and a Residential Program. Guiding Harbor is licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Mission

Improve the quality of life for children and families

Vision

Guiding Harbor will educate each person placed in our care, teaching the life skills necessary to make wise decisions and to become a productive member of society. 

Foster a Child

Consider becoming a foster parent and helping children in need.

Learn More
Orientation & Training Schedule

Make a Donation

Guiding Harbor is licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Donate Today
a model of a small wooden house and a heart stand on the flag of the colors of the rainbow, a blue wooden background, a copy space, the purchase and rental of real estate LGBT family

At Guiding Harbor we believe in respect and belonging. We are committed to diversity equity and inclusion and creating a safe space for children, families and employees to thrive.  

Research shows that more than 30% of children in foster care identify as LGBTQ+, Guiding Harbor is committed to ensuring that this subset of foster youth feel safe and accepted by us. As a result, Guiding Harbor joined the Consortium of LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Child Welfare System. So that we can hold ourselves accountable to maintaining inclusivity, can offer the most support to the youth and help educate their caregivers and staff.  

Black children are overrepresented in the foster care system making up 14% of the total child population but 23% of children in foster care. Hiring staff that is reflective of those we serve is a commitment that Guiding Harbor has made to mitigate racial bias. Our current workforce is 45% African American, 48% Caucasian, 2% Hispanic, 2% multiracial. 

Having insight into our client population makes us better at our jobs and more impactful at making substantive change with those we serve. Flexible holidays, staff training, having diverse representation in publications, in the types of donations we utilize, are examples of our efforts to weaken systemic obstacles and support our staff and empower foster youth. 

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