Safety
Every child is welcomed into a calm, secure place where they are protected and watched over with care.
South Louisiana's Bayou Region
Every child deserves a safe harbor.
The Healing Place for Children
We are building South Louisiana's first sibling inclusive, trauma informed emergency shelter, so children in crisis stay safe, stay together, and begin to heal.
- Registered 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
- EIN 42-3165658
- Incorporated in Louisiana
- Serving children birth through age 17
Safe Harbor is in its founding phase. We are legally established and preparing to open our doors. Your support now is what builds them.
See how to helpWho we are
A place where children in crisis can breathe again
Safe Harbor Children's Shelter is a place where children in crisis can breathe again.
When a child must be removed from their home, we provide a calm, welcoming space that feels safe, steady, and supportive.
Founded by lifelong Terrebonne Parish resident and nurse Carolyn Woods, Safe Harbor was created to fill a critical need in our community. With decades of experience caring for children and families, she built Safe Harbor as a place where compassion is the standard, and every child is treated with dignity.
Support the Mission
What guides us
Our core values
Family Unity
Brothers and sisters belong together, and we build our home so sibling groups are never turned away.
Compassion
We meet each child with patience and kindness, because gentleness is the beginning of healing.
Dignity
Every child arrives worthy of respect, privacy, and a place that feels like it was prepared for them.
Healing
Steady routines, warm meals, and trusted adults help children move from fear toward hope.
Community
Our bayou neighbors, churches, schools, and agencies build this harbor together.
What Safe Harbor will provide
Care for the whole child
Every program is designed around trauma informed care and our commitment to keeping siblings together.
Emergency Shelter
Safe, supervised, around the clock residential care in a warm, home like setting.
Sibling Preservation
Space designed for sibling groups of all ages so brothers and sisters stay together.
Trauma Informed Care
Staff trained in evidence based practices, with daily routines that restore safety and trust.
Educational Support
Tutoring, school enrollment help, and homework support so learning continues without interruption.
Health Coordination
Nurse led health screenings and coordination of medical and mental health care.
Family Reunification
Where safe and court approved, partnering with caseworkers, families, and courts toward reunification.
The need is real and urgent
Children close to home need a safe place
About 500
Children in foster care in the region each month
4,191
Reports of suspected abuse or neglect in the region last year
0 to 17
Ages we are preparing to serve, birth through age 17
Together
Our promise to keep sibling groups united whenever possible
Regional figures drawn from Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services reports. Final sourcing confirmed before launch.
Your support makes a difference
What your giving provides
Safe Beds and Warm Clothing
A bed of their own, clean linens, and clothing that fits on the very first night.
Comforting Essentials
Hygiene items, a backpack, and a soft toy so a child has something that belongs only to them.
Trauma Informed Care
Trained staff, calming spaces, and counseling coordination that help a child feel steady again.
Keeping Siblings Together
Rooms and staffing planned for sibling groups so families are not divided during a crisis.
Your donations bring safety, comfort, and hope.
Founding partners
Help us open the doors
Every gift right now goes toward opening South Louisiana's first sibling inclusive shelter: facility preparation, program development, staffing, and the steps to open safely.
Lighthouse
$10,000 and above
Founding Lighthouse Partner recognition and premier placement in our founding donor wall, website, and opening celebration.
Beacon
$5,000
Founding partner recognition, invitation to the Founding Partners Dinner, and placement in our annual report.
Harbor
$2,500
Founding partner recognition on our donor wall and website, with quarterly progress updates.
Anchor
$1,000
Founding partner recognition on our website and an invitation to our opening celebration.
Wave
$500
Founding supporter recognition and updates on the progress your gift makes possible.
Give Once or Monthly
Make a secure one time or recurring gift by card or bank transfer through Stripe.
Donate NowIn Kind Donations
Furniture, supplies, and professional services help us prepare to open.
View NeedsPlanned Giving
Include Safe Harbor in your legacy through an estate gift or bequest.
Learn MoreSafe Harbor Children's Shelter is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 42-3165658). Gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Meet our founder
Carolyn W. Woods
Founder and Executive Director. A lifelong resident of Terrebonne Parish and a nurse, Carolyn welcomed a child through foster care and saw firsthand how often siblings are separated in a crisis. Safe Harbor is her answer.
I did not create the situations that cause children to be removed from their families. I just provide the place for them to feel safe and start healing again.Read Carolyn's story
Leadership and governance
Our Board of Directors
A dedicated board committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and an unwavering focus on the children we serve. Remaining photos and full biographies are being added.
Carolyn W. Woods
President and Executive Director
Anthony Rainey Sr.
Vice Chairman
Kaydi LeCompte
Treasurer
Sonya Celestin
Secretary
Marissa Jones
Director
Stephanie Williams-Ausama
Director
Joann Pollard
Director
Stephen Mosely
Director
Gerhonda Mosely
Director
Maxine Carlos
Director
News and events
Founding Partners Dinner
September 2026, South Louisiana. An evening to introduce Safe Harbor to our community and welcome our first founding partners. Seating is limited.
Request an InvitationCommunity partners
Build this with us
Safe Harbor grows through partnership. We are building relationships across our region to wrap support around every child.
- Churches
- Schools
- Hospitals
- DCFS and courts
- Social workers
- Businesses
Get involved
Reach out to Safe Harbor
Whether you want to give, volunteer, partner, or ask a question, we would love to hear from you.
Donate
Give a one time or monthly gift and help open our doors.
Volunteer
Share your time and skills with children who need you.
Prayer Requests
Send a prayer request. We hold our children and families in prayer.
Contact
Call (985) 224 7889 or email support@safeharborchildrensshelter.org