What Do Those Yellow Signs Mean?
Driving around running errands this past weekend, our Team Leader and his wife happened to pass by a business with the ever-identifiable yellow, diamond Safe Place placard in the window.
This struck up a conversation regarding what these really meant and how they work, and then thought....what a great blog topic!
On any given day, you may drive by businesses around where you work and live that proudly display this yellow sign and may not even notice. However, if you or someone you know is ever in need of one, you should be educated on what they mean and how they can help.
There are over 20,000 designated Safe Places around the country where children and teens can visit should ever the need arise. Most locations are businesses and community buildings such as fire stations and libraries.
These yellow and black signs are to let you know that help is readily available and it is a place you can turn for assistance. There are dozens of reasons why a child or teen may need to turn to a safe place. They may be having problems at home, issues at school, or just feel like they are in a dangerous situation with a driver or a date. Any of these reasons, and many more, are cause for a visit to a Safe Place.
The designated Safe Place locations are trained on what to do should they encounter a visitor to need assistance.
If you are ever in need of a Safe Place, these are the four steps to the process.
Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.
Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency.
Step Three – Within 20-30 minutes or less, a qualified Safe Place volunteer or agency staff member will arrive to talk with the youth and, if necessary, provide transportation to the agency.
Step Four – Once at the agency, counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff makes sure the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.
All of the designated locations have been briefed and trained on this process to ensure that you get the assistance you need.
So maybe the next time you are returning that overdue book to your local library, be sure to thank the workers there for providing a safe haven for those who need it.
For more information on how to help, or even volunteer, at your local Safe Place, visit their website HERE.
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