Safe Places provide important help

To the editor:

Gov. Eric Holcomb has proclaimed March 21 through 27 as National Safe Place Week in Indiana.

The week serves to increase awareness about the importance of youth safety and the dangers young people face when they feel they have nowhere to go or are in crisis situations. It also highlights the Safe Place program, which brings together businesses and volunteers to provide help and safety for youth facing abuse, neglect, bullying or serious family problems. 

“Unfortunately, young people face troubling issues in today’s world and it’s up to all of us to offer solutions, places where youth can go to get help,” said Laurie Jackson, President/CEO for National Safe Place. “National Safe Place Week is the perfect opportunity for communities across the country to assess and strengthen their safety net for youth.” 

It is estimated that more than one million youth run away from home each year due to abuse, neglect, family conflicts and other issues. The Safe Place program is an option for young people who feel they have nowhere to turn.

Safe Place consists of a national network of nearly 20,000 partnering businesses and community locations — such as fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, fire stations, public buses and libraries — that display the Safe Place sign in their windows. As youth enter the designated Safe Places and ask for help, trained staff members connect them to the appropriate youth shelter for assistance. National Safe Place Week recognizes participating Safe Place locations and volunteers for their unwavering dedication to the safety and well being of at-risk youth. 

There are nineteen Safe Place programs serving youth in 31 counties across the state of Indiana with 2,000 stationary and mobile sites ready to help any Indiana youth in need.  In 2019, 450 youth were helped through the Safe Place program and nearly 150,000 youth were educated about how to get help through Safe Place in times of crisis.  The Safe Place program, operated locally by The Youth Service Bureau of Jay County partners with businesses and community organizations such as: Jay County Junior Senior High School, East Jay Elementary School, Westlawn Elementary School, Redkey Elementary School, Dunkirk City Building, Dunkirk Police Department, Jay-Randolph Developmental Services, Jay County Retirement Center, Portland Police Department, Portland Fire Department, Jay County Sheriff’s Office, Pizza King of Portland, Pennville Library, Bryant Fire Department and Bearcreek Township to provide Jay County youth immediate safety and access to supportive resources.  

National Safe Place also operates the TXT 4 HELP initiative, a 24/7 text-for-support service for youth in crisis. Teens can text the word “safe” and their current location to 4HELP (44357) and receive a message with the closest Safe Place location and the number for the local youth shelter. Users also have the option to text interactively with a mental health professional for more help. 

Karley Theurer

Youth Service Bureau