Welcome to Safe Harbor Homes & Services

SHARING

The love of Christ by bringing light and hope for families and adults with special needs.

DEMONSTRATING

To families and the community that God loves these precious people.

GIVING

Opportunities for the Home to minister to their surrounding community.

WELCOME HOME

The first Safe Harbor home is located in Kingsburg California, a quaint  Central Valley town with a population of 12,000, 20 miles South of Fresno. On 4.8 park-like acres, this beautifully appointed home has over 8,000 square feet. Built in 2003, it has great wheelchair accessibility, spacious rooms, a large kitchen and eating area, 8 baths, a lovely pool and spa, lots of lawns, much open space, and a farm area with chicken coups, a greenhouse, and animals. 

THE NEED

 In the United States, there are approximately 270,000 adults with special needs on waiting lists for homes, plus there are 1,000,000 homes where adults with special needs are living with aging family members and in 2/3 of these families there is no plan in place for the future. There is a desperate need where these well-deserving people can receive the care they need; homes where their parents can confidently place their adult children for the rest of their lives. 

OUR VISION

Our Vision is to develop ten Safe Harbor homes across the United States by 2030. These unique homes will be located on wheelchair accessible farms that provide opportunities to interact with animals, develop gardens and explore the outdoors in a safe area. The Loving Hands of our trained caregivers will meet the needs and interests of each resident by providing times of worship and Bible study; church attendance, fun and learning activities, celebrations; local and out of the area trips; community involvement; nutritious meals, medical and therapeutic care so that our residents can continue to grow and achieve their God-given potential.

OUR STORY

Bill and Lynette Mathews have 3 children, Karin (Tim) Whitman, Kristy (Jason) Higton, and Kevin Mathews, and 5 grandchildren. While pastoring, they became uniquely aware of the challenges facing people with special needs and their families through their son, Kevin, who is now in his late thirties. At birth, Kevin appeared to be normal, but within months, it was clear that something wasn’t quite right. Many visits to specialists and a battery of tests revealed that Kevin was deaf, would never speak, and was developmentally delayed. He eventually lost his ability to walk.

OUR WHY

Because of their deep love for him, Bill and Lynette grieved that Kevin missed so many normal life experiences. Thankfully, he was able to live at home through his early twenties, but it required exhausting and continuous one-on-one care, which eventually took a toll on Lynette’s health. It became clear that even though they desperately wanted him to continue living at home, Kevin would no longer be able to do so. It was through their personal experience that they developed a growing awareness of and burden for the great need of Christ-centered, family-like homes for adults – like Kevin – with special needs.

Now, after retiring from Pastoring at Oak Park Christian Center for 42  years, God has called them to dedicate their lives to develop these homes and led them to  begin Safe Harbor Homes and Services.

OUR TEAM

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Bill and Lynette Mathews

Co-Founders

Someone once asked Bill and Lynette, “If money were no object, what would you do?”  Without hesitation, Lynette answered that she would start a home for adults with special needs.  God had planted this in her heart and from that, in 2015, Safe Harbor was born.  Their son, Kevin who is deaf and can’t speak was the first resident when we opened in 2019.  He still lives here today and has grown exponentially!

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Jeff Bortolussi

Board Chair

Jeff is a local farmer that has been a part of the Safe Harbor team.  He helped establish our first golf tournament fundraiser in 2020 and has been an integral part SH and has helped in so many ways. He was vote Board Chair in 2025.

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Jason Higton

Board Vice-Chair

Jason has been involved with Safe Harbor since inception.  He helped in finding the first home in Kingsburg. His brother-in-law was the first resident, and he still resides at the home.  Jason has a heart for people with special needs and is thankful to have joined the SH board in 2025.

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Rich Brassfield

Board Secretary

Rich has been a part of the Safe Harbor for many years, supporting us prayerfully and financially.  Rich joined the board in April 2025 and became the Board Secretary in May 2025.

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Mike Wade

Board Treasurer

Mike has been a part of the Safe Harbor family for many years helping with our Kingsburg events and several other tasks.  He joined the board in April 2025 and was voted Board Treasurer in May 2025.

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Mike McRee

Board Member

I’m honored to be involved with Safe Harbor, a Christ-centered residence that lovingly cares for adults with special needs. I deeply value their mission of dignity, compassion, and purpose-filled living. Supporting this work aligns with my heart for service and the belief that every life is a reflection of God’s grace. It’s a blessing to be part of something so meaningful.

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Gene Schnabel

Board Member and Development Team

Being a retired financial planner, I have been blessed to work with Safe Harbor the last fine years. Safe Harbor has been an answer to prayer for our family and for our son Justin.

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Cyndee Gutierrez

Executive Assistant

The two things I love most about Safe Harbor are how God’s love and care is shown through the caregivers and the opportunity the residents have to work with farm animals.  This is not just a facility.  It is truly a home!

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Veronica Soto

Home Administrator

What I love most about Safe Harbor is that I am able to share and experience Christ’s love in every aspect of my job. Working with people with developmental disabilities is a profound blessing that is only found when one comes in contact with this wonderful population of people.

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Pastor Rick McCullough

Development Team

After serving in pastoral ministry for 40 years and countless interactions with the special needs community, Pastor Rick joined the development team of Safe Harbor in 2024. Having two nephews in his family with special needs, Rick has a big heart for families caring for their family members that are dealing with this issue.  “What an honor to serve in the growth of Safe Harbor Ministries for these special residents.”

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Dirk Miller

Development Team

Hi, I’m Dirk. As a young man I was seeking solace and peace as I was struggling with many physical ailments.  When I gave my life to Jesus, He healed me and gave me hope for my future.  His healing has touched many aspects of my life.  Through Safe Harbor, I have observed miracles involving our residents: a beautiful home, loving ability coaches and realized hope for many family members.  It is a privilege being a part of Bill and Lynette”s ministry to help adults with special needs.

WHAT OUR CAREGIVERS ARE SAYING

GET INTOUCH

Safe Harbor Homes & Services
PO Box 446
Kingsburg, CA 93631

(925) 395-1998