Safe space pilot project for youth launches on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island

The County of Hawai’i Department Human Services announced it has launched its Safe Spaces for Youth pilot project on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island, a program that is part of a nationwide effort to provide refuge for young people in need.

Yellow and black diamond-shaped signs will be displayed at organizations on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island, signaling the launch of the Safe Spaces for Youth Pilot Project. The initiative aims to provide outreach and prevention services for youth in need of immediate help and safety. 

“Our youth have told us that they need safe places to go when it is not safe for them at home or to get help with problems like bullying and mental health,” said Hawaii Youth Services Network Executive Director Judith Clark in a statement. “They will now have safe places in their local communities where they can seek help.”

The local Safe Place initiative is part of a national network of Safe Place programs in 38 states and the District of Columbia. According to the county announcement, more than 22,000 community businesses and organizations nationwide display the yellow Safe Place sign in an effort to make help readily available for youth.

Safe Place locations include libraries, YMCAs, fire stations, public buses and social service facilities. Safe Place locations currently include The Salvation Army in Hilo and at Hale Kipa in Honolulu. Additional Safe Place sites are being recruited and trained.

Safe Place is a partnership funded by the Hawai‘i State Office of Youth Services, Hale Kipa, The Salvation Army Family Intervention Services and Hawaii Youth Services Network. As part of this pilot project, Hawaiʻi will launch the nationally recognized Safe Place program.

Through public and private partnerships, Safe Place provides a consistent system of response for youth experiencing homelessness and crisis. Providing young people with clearly identified locations and contact numbers to access needed services is critical for their safety and well-being,” said Office of Youth Services Executive Director Leanne Gillespie.

More than 1.5 million youth run away from home each year due to abuse, neglect, family conflicts and other issues, according to the statement made by Amanda Stevens, a public information officer with the department of human services.

“The Safe Place program offers a crucial option for young people who feel they have nowhere to turn. We encourage local businesses and organizations to become Safe Place sites. By displaying the Safe Place sign, you can make a difference in a young person’s life,” wrote Stevens.

To learn more about becoming a Safe Place site, contact:

• O‘ahu: Phillip Humphrey at phumphrey@halekipa.org or 808-999-SAFE
• Hawai‘i Island: Henry Aina Jr. at henry.aina.jr@usw.salvationarmy.org or 808-959-5855

“Join us in making a difference. Your support is crucial. Together, we can ensure every young person has a safe place to turn when they need it most,” Stevens wrote.