Shaker Heights Public Library Named a Safe Place® for Youth

Shaker Heights Public Library is now a designated Safe Place in Shaker Heights, Ohio. The library buildings will display the yellow and black Safe Place sign, which signifies immediate help and safety for youth.

It is estimated over 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.

Greater Cleveland’s Safe Place initiative, operated by Bellefaire JCB’s Homeless and Missing Youth program, is part of a national network of Safe Place programs in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 20,000 community businesses and organizations nationwide display the Safe Place sign, making help readily available for youth in need. Shaker Library and its Bertram Woods Branch are the newest locations to become Safe Place sites in the Cleveland area. Additional Safe Place locations include Cleveland Public Library branches, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Libraries, and Greater Cleveland RTA.

Shaker Library staff have been trained to look for warning signs and to offer support to youth in crisis by contacting Bellefaire JCB’s 24-hour hotline for homeless and missing youth. According to Shaker Library Director Amy Switzer, “Every day we strive to make our libraries places where kids feel comfortable and safe. Now that we are a designated Safe Place, we can connect those who are at-risk in our community to help when and where they need it. We are most thankful for the support provided by Bellefaire JCB our partner and Safe Place licensed agency.”

Safe Place across the country helps more than 12,000 youth each year. In addition to Safe Place sites, youth may also seek immediate help via TXT 4 HELP, a text-for-support service for youth in crisis. Teens can text the word “safe” and their current location (address, city, state) to 69866 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.

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About Bellefaire JCB’s Homeless and Missing Youth Program

Bellefaire JCB’s Homeless and Missing Youth Program was initiated in October 2006 through a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to establish a program for homeless, missing, and runaway youth who are in need of crisis intervention, possible respite and case management. Today, the program serves approximately 4,000 teens, families and community members each year.

About National Safe Place Network

National Safe Place Network (NSPN) provides quality training and technical support for youth and family service organizations across the country. Along with being a leading membership organization offering tailored organizational development, training and professional development packages, NSPN also operates the nationally recognized programs Safe Place, HTR3, and the Family and Youth Services Bureau’s Runaway and Homeless Youth

Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC). To learn more, please visit www.nspnetwork.