National Safe Place Week Highlights Safe Place® Program for Youth
(Louisville, KY) March 21, 2021 – National Safe Place Network (NSPN) is pleased to announce March 21-27, 2021 as National Safe Place (NSP) Week. The nationally recognized week serves to raise awareness about the Safe Place program, a national program which brings together businesses, local organizations, emergency services, and volunteers to help youth in crisis.
“Unfortunately, young people face troubling issues in today’s world, such as abuse, neglect, bullying and serious family problems,” said Laurie Jackson, President / CEO for NSPN. “It’s up to all of us to offer solutions, places where youth can go to get help. NSP Week provides an opportunity for communities across the country to assess and strengthen their safety net for youth.”
Safe Place consists of a national network of more than 22,000 partnering businesses and community locations, such as fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, fire stations, public buses and libraries, which display the Safe Place sign in their windows. As youth enter a designated Safe Place and ask for help, trained staff members connect them to the appropriate youth shelter for assistance.
In addition to Safe Place sites, youth may also access immediate help via TXT 4 HELP, a text-for-support service for youth in crisis. Teens can text the word “SAFE” to 4HELP (44357) and follow the prompts to 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 counselor for additional help.
Since its inception in 1983, Safe Place has helped more than 383,000 youth and currently serves more than 1,500 communities across the country. The program is managed by 147 youth agencies and 1 transit partner in 38 states and the District of Columbia.
About National Safe Place Network
National Safe Place Network (NSPN) operates nationally-recognized programs, including Safe Place®, a youth outreach and prevention program for youth in need of immediate help and safety. More than 20,000 businesses and community locations participate as Safe Place sites – such as restaurants, convenience stores, fire stations, public buses, and libraries. These locations display the Safe Place sign and connect youth in crisis with resources and supports. Safe Place also provides a national text-for-support program, TXT 4 HELP. Teens can text the word “SAFE” to 4HELP (44357) and access options to locate the nearest Safe Place and text one-on-one with a counselor. TXT 4 HELP is available 24/7/365. In addition to Safe Place, NSPN provides quality training, capacity building, and technical support to youth and family service organizations across the nation. NSPN Learn more about NSPN and Safe Place at www.nspnetwork.org and www.nationalsafeplace.org.
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