Emergency Shelter Stats

THE NEED

Up to 2.8 million youth run away each year. The odds of high school graduation drop significantly with each time a youth runs away from home. Often, conflict at home is a large part of the reason for running away.

THE SOLUTION

Sally Kate Winters Family Services Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) program provides shelter and crisis support services for youth ages 12-17 who are identified as homeless and/or runaway. Four shelter beds are available for runaway and homeless youth at all times with two emergency shelter staff on call 24 hours a day and available to address the individual needs of each youth. Shelter and crisis support is provided for up to 21 days with follow up and aftercare services available at the end of shelter stay.

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

The goal of residential services is to stabilize the family unit to ensure individual success and reduce the risk of runaway homelessness in the future. Placement options will be evaluated should a family placement not be attainable (i.e. transitional living, job corps, military).

SHELTER RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

  • Weekly, individual, and group counseling
  • Family counseling on a weekly basis (if needed)
  • Assistance with education activities, including after school tutoring, school enrollment, and GED/ACT prep (if needed)
  • Medical, dental, and psychological appointments, as needed

NON-RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

Non-residential services are provided to those youth who do not need the emergency shelter services. Non-residential services include securing a safe placement for the youth through contacts with parents/legal guardian and determining appropriate referrals based on the information provided.

OTHER SERVICES 

  • Individual and family counseling on a weekly basis
  • Referrals to other programs/agencies, as needed

"Safe Place is a great way to reach those children that otherwise would fall through the cracks. We believe that there are a great number of teens and their families than can benefit from having a direct link to the services they need."

Laura Yelverton

Former Safe Place Coordinator

OUTREACH COMPONENT OF RHY PROGRAM IS SAFE PLACE

Safe Place exemplifies how communities can collaborate to provide immediate help to youth. Safe Place involves many aspects of the community including but not limited to businesses, youth service agencies and volunteers. Nationally, businesses such as fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and community buildings like fire stations and libraries are designated as Safe Place locations. These sites, identified by the diamond shaped, yellow and black Safe Place sign, are conveniently located in areas where the need is greatest. Any young person in a crisis situation can walk in and ask an employee for help. Sally Kate Winters Family Services will be contacted and within minutes a Safe Place representative arrives to meet with the youth. Counseling and shelter is made available if needed. Safe place connects distressed children and families with resources they need to keep them safe and provide them with support and guidance.

 

Safe Place is currently in over 1,500 communities in 38 states. National Safe Place Week brings attention to and heightens awareness of the Safe Place program that has helped over 119,000 young people in crisis. National Safe Place Week recognizes the nearly 18,000 businesses and thousands of volunteers nationally who give their time, resources, and energy to make our country a safer place for young people. If you would like to become involved in this community program, please contact our office at 662.494.4867.

 

For more information:

www.nationalsafeplace.org

 

 

 

The runaway and homeless youth – BCP project is supported by the Administration for Children and Families of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services as part of financial assistance totaling $178,577 representing 70% funded by ACF/HHS and 30% funded by non-government sources. The content/opinion of SKWFS do not necessarily represent endorsement by ACF/HHS or the U.S. Government. https://www.acf.hhs.gov

1.800.RUNAWAY

SOMEPLACE TO GO.

SOMEONE TO HELP.

 

TEXT 4 IMMEDIATE HELP:

TEENS TEXT THE WORD "SAFE"

AND YOUR CURRENT LOCATION

(STREET ADDRESS, CITY, STATE)

TO 44357.