Safe Rides Program Enhances Safety for Students and Community

As the school year begins, the Northbrook Family Network (“NFN”) will renew its partnership with Glenbrook North High School students to continue its Safe Rides program. Launched in early 2014, Safe Rides provides free, no-questions-asked weekend transportation home for Glenbrook North students within the Northbrook village limits. The program will operate on most Friday and Saturday nights beginning October 9.

Safe Rides is a peer-managed and staffed program that prioritizes safety and confidentiality. Based in a call center at the North Suburban YMCA, trained student volunteers receive ride requests between the hours of 10:00 pm and 1:30 am. Passengers may only be dropped off at their own homes, and caller confidentiality is strictly maintained. The goal is to provide alternative means of transportation to students who find themselves in any type of unsafe situation.

Ethan Kirshenbaum, a Glenbrook North senior, serves as the Safe Rides president for 2015-16. He sees the program as beneficial for everyone who drives in Northbrook, not just the students. “I personally believe Safe Rides is important because it keeps dangerous drivers off the road, protects students from situations where they may feel uncomfortable, and provides them with a ride when they might not otherwise have one,” notes Kirshenbaum. “This program creates a safer community for everyone.”

“Northbrook Family Network is proud to back Northbrook Safe Rides,” said Sari Glazebrook, NFN’s Program Director. ”We are most excited by the student commitment and engagement to keep the program up and running. The student volunteers are the heart and soul of Safe Rides, and know firsthand the important impact they have in our community.”

Safe Rides is actively recruiting GBN students to volunteer as drivers and dispatchers. Volunteer training sessions will be held in the coming weeks. For more information about volunteering for Safe Rides, contact Ethan Kirshenbaum, 160263@glenbrook225.org or Adult Supervisor Carol Wagner, cwagner@dimensions-in-health.com.

About Northbrook Family Network (NFN)

Northbrook Family Network (formerly Northbrook Citizens for Drug and Alcohol Awareness (NCDAA)) is a volunteer-based, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit community organization, dedicated to serving the community with comprehensive programs for family education and support. NFN proposes to accomplish this mission by initiating, organizing, facilitating, and coordinating family education programs; collaborating with other sectors of our community; providing information on social issues of importance to families; and networking with other local, state, and national organizations. NFN is an independent agency, governed by an independent volunteer board, in partnership with the North Suburban YMCA. For information on how to support NFN as a donor or volunteer, contact Sari Glazebrook, sglazebrook@nsymca.org.

Photo 1 Caption: Glenbrook North students and the Northbrook Family Network will re-open the Safe Rides program on October 9.

Photo 2 Caption: Glenbrook North students serve as board members and volunteers for the Northbrook Safe Rides program, sponsored by the Northbrook Family Network.