On the left, a woman holds a baby, on the right a porch with wicker chairs

Our Story

The Birth of Safe Harbor House

In 2003, tragedy struck my family, leaving me shattered and hopeless. Domestic violence became a reality in my family and it left us wondering if we could ever heal from all of the shame and pain. Our once happy peaceful family home turned into a dangerous place that we had to quickly escape from. Amazingly with God’s grace, we made it out and began the painful, long steps to healing. From that terrifying experience in my life, I knew then that I never wanted to see a family torn apart like my family was. From that moment on, the calling to help families became stronger and stronger was within me. Armed with passion and a firm belief in the power of family, I knew God had called me to help families heal from their broken past and find restoration, wholeness, and peace.

In 2012, I moved back to Georgia to be closer to my family. In 2016, I was led to start a nonprofit. Safe Harbor House was born. The puzzle pieces of my life began to come together. God showed me through my process of healing and restoration that He was my Safe Harbor House. He became my safe place. And I know He has empowered me to reach back and provide safe places and resources for others.

Marquetta Smith, MSSW, CCC

Founder and Executive Director, Safe Harbor House

Executive Director, Marquetta Smith

Marquetta Smith is a certified Christian counselor with a master’s in social work. Throughout her career, Marquetta has counseled many families and victims who suffered from some traumatic event in their life. With the desire to help families heal, in 2016-2017, Marquetta was led to start a nonprofit in Georgia called Safe Harbor, individuals and families are counseled, loved, trained, and equipped. This nonprofit provides individual and family restoration and healing from past traumas, situations, grief, loss, abuse, addictions, bullying, and so much more. 

Along with using up-to-date, effective counseling techniques such as ideology, impact, and treatment approaches, she uses a solid foundation of biblical Christ-centered principles and wisdom along with the Holy Spirit to guide her in her direction to counseling individuals. She believes that if an individual can begin their healing process, the family can also start their process. Her philosophy is this: healthy individuals produce healthy families and healthy families make healthy communities.  

Individuals and families who need counseling can give us a call to set up a free consultation to get started. 

To support our families or individuals who need counseling, you can sponsor a family or individual that may need counseling services by clicking the donate.

Marquetta Smith, MSSW, CCC

Founder and Executive Director, Safe Harbor House