Looking back at my teenage life I strongly believe I would not be alive or out of jail if it were not for SafeHouse. My father and I were always at odds with each other and sometimes we would even get into fistfights. I got involved with heavy drugs and gangs and was arrested as a juvenile. I didn’t care when I got locked up because I felt nobody else did. I went to SafeHouse and was convinced it was just another program, but this one was different. The staff and counselors there didn’t care who was to blame, they only cared about helping parents and teenagers learn skills to get along better. SafeHouse also provided support services from the outside to come and talk to the clients, like Narcotics Anonymous, church groups, Rape Crisis and Aids Awareness, all which were of invaluable help to me and my peers.

Of course my parents and I didn’t change right away but just knowing there was aftercare counseling available for SafeHouse clients after the program ended was very encouraging to my family and me. SafeHouse taught me that I needed to care about myself because my actions as a youth would affect me when I became older.

As of today, I am in my early twenties, I am in the prison ministry for my church, and have become an employee for SafeHouse and the Transitional Living Program. What I hope to do is return the favor that was given to me by SafeHouse employees from the past to our clients today.

Anthony – 21

I first came to SafeHouse a year ago due to severe family issues. Upon arriving I was scared and confused. I didn’t have the slightest clue what to expect; however, my apprehensions melted away when I met the caring staff. My experiences were always uplifting and they helped me become the person I am today.

I have been coming to SafeHouse as a client for a year now and have just recently been added as a junior staff member. I have been able to work with other clients who have similar circumstances in their families and give them the benefit of knowing that, with the assistance of SafeHouse, their lines of communication will be opened within their family and their relationships will grow in a positive manner over time.

Michelle – 17

Throughout my time at SafeHouse, I have learned and acquired many new skills through classes and counseling. When I came to SafeHouse, I was living on the streets due to the fact that my family and I were having problems. This was not only a shelter for me to go to but it allowed me to clean up and put food in my stomach. They also gave me the tools to communicate in different ways and understand people.

SafeHouse not only helped me but provided counseling for my family. This allowed us to be able to talk together in a safe environment. In counseling, I felt we were able to work on our problems in a rational state of mind. Not only did we receive counseling but on Thursdays SafeHouse held a parenting class, which taught my parents new ways to discipline and speak to me.

This experience has helped influence my life and, hopefully, will make a difference in my family as well.

Kaylana – 16

SafeHouse is a wonderful program to help people who have problems. The staff here is awesome and they really do help people. I came here for shoplifting, insubordination, and frequent truancies from school. I now have more discipline and feel good inside. I feel that I improved dramatically and have become a different person.

Adam – 16

The first time I came to SafeHouse, I wasn’t sure what I wanted out of the program. After two weeks I went home and not much had changed. The next time I came I decided I wanted to live with my father. SafeHouse gave me guidance in achieving that goal. SafeHouse is a great program, without it I would be in Juvenile Hall. You get your own counselor who you meet with on a daily basis. They discuss your problems with you and your family so you can go home. The school here is also very good and it is actually really fun. Overall, SafeHouse is a great program and I am very grateful.

Melissa – 15