About Safe Harbor
Our Story. Our Mission. Our Vision.
Safe Harbor provides Christ-centered residential homes where adults with special needs receive lifelong care, meaningful relationships, and the security of belonging to a loving family.
Our Vision
Building More Places
to Call Home
Our vision is to develop Safe Harbor homes across the United States. Our hope is these unique homes will be located on wheelchair accessible farms that provide opportunities for residents to interact with animals, develop gardens, and safely enjoy the outdoors.
The loving hands of our trained caregivers provide worship and Bible study, meaningful activities, celebrations, community involvement, nutritious meals, medical and therapeutic care, helping every resident continue to grow and achieve their God given potential.
Our Story
A Journey of Love, Faith and Purpose
Bill and Lynette Mathews have three children, Karin (Tim) Whitman, Kristy (Jason) Higton, and Kevin Mathews, along with five grandchildren.
While serving as pastors, they became uniquely aware of the challenges families face through their son, Kevin. Although he appeared healthy at birth, doctors later determined he was deaf, developmentally disabled, and would never speak. As time passed, Kevin also lost the ability to walk.
Through their family’s journey, Bill and Lynette developed a deep compassion for other parents facing similar circumstances. Their experience inspired a vision to create Christ-centered, family-style homes where adults with special needs could live with dignity, purpose, and lifelong support.
After retiring from Oak Park Christian Center following more than 42 years of ministry, God called them to dedicate their lives to building Safe Harbor Homes & Services.
Our Ministries
Masterpiece Ministries
Christ-centered church for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Learn More →
Making Room Project
Helping churches create special needs ministries with free training and resources.
Learn More →
Our Future
Serving Today. Building Tomorrow.
Bill and Lynette knew Safe Harbor would eventually need someone to carry the vision forward. After eight years of faithfully praying and seeking God’s direction, He led Pastor Josh Raffeo to Safe Harbor.
Josh has served as a pastor for more than 25 years and has a heart for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Together, they believe God will continue expanding Safe Harbor’s mission and provide hope for many more families.
Today, that same calling continues through Safe Harbor, serving families today while building more homes for tomorrow.