Colorado Springs, CO, January 23, 2020 - Youth in crisis have more safety-assured doors to go through and ask for help thanks to the expanding efforts of The Place, Pikes Peak Library District, and now the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region.
The three local nonprofits are the only sites in Colorado operating as part of the National Safe Place Network.
"The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region is honored to be considered and selected by The Place as a Safe Place helping to expand the National Safe Place Network at ten YMCA locations throughout the region," says Boyd Williams, President & CEO of the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region. "The Y prioritizes the safety for our members and guests and being recognized as a place for young people to go during a crisis will offer those in need access and support by trained staff and volunteers. Safety for our kids remains a number one priority for our organization!"
All libraries and YMCAs now will show yellow Safe Place signs and create awareness about the program. When a young person goes into the designated sites and asks for a safe place, the local network launches into action to get that young person to The Place, our community's shelter, housing and outreach services for youth experiencing homelessness. The young person might stay in the shelter, or the team creates and implements a safety plan with the young person involving other agencies as needed.
"With the YMCA coming on board in this effort, there are now 24 different places across El Paso County where teens in crisis and needing a place to stay can seek safe help," says Audrey Field, Deputy Director and Program Director of The Place (fka Urban Peak Colorado Springs).
All PPLD locations are now also on board with the program, something Chief Librarian and CEO John Spears said was always the goal when the project launched at a majority of PPLD locations in 2018.
"We are thrilled that the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region is joining our network," says Spears. "The increased participation in Safe Pace locally will allow us to provide assistance to teens in vulnerable situations at a higher level."
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About The Place
Founded in 2000 as Urban Peak Colorado Springs, The Place is a non-profit organization that ignites the potential in youth to exit homelessness and create self determined, fulfilled lives. Our programs include a 20-bed shelter, street outreach, housing, education and employment services, healthcare, and the Safe Place Network. In fiscal year 2019, The Place assisted 604 youth. For more information, visit www.ThePLACEcos.org and contact Andy Petersen, Director of Development, 425.446.2341.
About Pikes Peak Library District
Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) seeks to engage and transform people's lives by providing equitable access to information, enrichment opportunities, and community connections via 15 facilities, online resources, and mobile library services. It is a nationally recognized system of public libraries serving a population of more than 650,000 across 2,070 square miles in El Paso County, Colo.