Program Description: Project Safe Place provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for young people in crisis through a network of Lake County sites sustained by qualified agencies, trained volunteers, and businesses.
Youth can get immediate help when they go into a public location that displays the Safe Place sign and ask for help.
The program began in Louisville, Kentucky in 1983 as an outreach effort of the YMCA Center for Youth Alternatives. Success has prompted the implementation of this youth shelter outreach program in agencies like the Crisis Center.
Volunteers Needed: Yes - Businesses and public locations willing to display the sign and facilitate youth getting help.
For More Information or a Site Visit: Contact Program Coordinator, Nikki Wielgos or Program Assistant: Gavin Mariano
Presentations about Safe Place -
INCLUDES VIDEO & GIVEAWAYS...
Interested in an interactive presentation or training on Safe Place at your place of business, organization,
or at your upcoming event?
Help us promote Safe Place to the youth and adults you serve. Giving kids an incentive to seek help makes a difference
*10 minutes, 30 minutes...more? less? You decide.
* Anywhere in Lake or Porter County.
* Any time of the year.
* Custom presentations for adults or youth.
* Free giveaways, safe place video & more!
Questions? Ready to set up your free presentation?
Nikki Wielgos has led Safe Place in Lake County Indiana since 1989; and in Porter County since 2008. She was instrumental in establishing nearly 300 sites since then.
Above - (L-R) Shirley Caylor, Exec Director, Karen Freeman-Wilson, Mayor of Gary, Nikki Wielgos, Safe Place Program Coordinator, and Gavin Mariano, Safe Place Program Assistant during a visit by Mayor Freeman-Wilson on January 20, 2012 at the
Crisis Center.
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Latest Program Stories & Examples -
Gary, 11 yrs. old ran away from his father’s home in Gary. He followed the railroad tracks along the toll road to East Chicago. When he came to a neighborhood he approached a lady and told her that his mom had been abusing him and he was cold and hungry. She took him inside, fed him and called the police. Gary told the police that he lived in East Chicago and gave them his mother’s address. When the police went to the address, it was an abandoned home. Gary had walked past that house previously that day. Once the officer finally got the truth out of him he said that he had gotten into a fight with his dad and he lived in Gary. He had runaway from his dad’s home several times this past year. He told his counselor he was not going to stay and he would keep running away. We filed a 310 report with DCS due to the repeated runaways and his refusal to go back to dad’s house. The caseworker set up a meeting with dad to discuss in home services to assist the family and return Gary home. Dad did not show up for the meeting and Gary was placed in a foster home.
Just for Teens -
Check out National Safe Place exclusive teen page with activities, news, poems, advice and more.
Click the image below to visit the Teen Page...
Teens...Now you can find a "Safe Place" to go,
no matter where you are, by texting us! Click banner below
