 |
 |
 |
|||||
|
|||||||
| Project Safe PlaceProject Safe Place is a national program designed to partner local youth shelters with community businesses.
In March 2000, Project Safe Place joined with the Riverside Transit Agency to provide 114 mobile Safe Place sites in and around Riverside. RTA has designated all fixed route buses as mobile “Safe Place” sites. There are currently 225 sites in the County of Riverside. The program, entitled "Ride To Safety", provides youth in crisis with quick and safe transportation to Operation SafeHouse. SafeHouse enjoys partnerships with several businesses and corporations. We are excited to have the Riverside Plaza join us as our newest Safe Place site. A strategically placed black and yellow sign identifies Safe Place sites. A child can access the business and seek assistance. Employees of Safe Place sites are instructed to contact the shelter staff (Operation SafeHouse) for intervention, assistance, and services. Safe Place provides a valuable resource to the community by making available safe and secure places for youth who are in trouble. A unique feature of the program is that it is a collaborative effort between public and private sectors coming together for one special goal – keeping children safe. Safe House also has a working relationship with the Riverside County Unified School District. Last year presentations were made to 80,000 students and 5,000 Safe Place cards were distributed. Forty-six youth were referred to SafeHouse through local Safe Place sites. National Safe Place week was held from March 12th through the 18th. In celebration of this, SafeHouse held an open house and art show on March 25th. The event brought 100 people to SafeHouse. Local artists donated their time and artwork to an auction that helped raise over $2,000 for SafeHouse programs and services. It also provided an great opportunity to invite the community to tour SafeHouse and enjoy an evening of family fun.
Fonda McGensy, Safe Place Director was honored at the inaugural Samantha's PRIDE Award Luncheon organized by the Joyful Child Foundation. California's First Lady, Maria Shriver, was also in attendance at the event that provided an opportunity to celebrate those who have made a significant contribution towards the prevention of crimes against children. The Joyful Child Foundation is an organization dedicated to protecting our nation's children from sexual abuse and abduction through programs that unite and uplift communities. Erin Runnion founded the organization in 2002 after her five year old daughter, Samantha was kidnapped from her front yard and murdered. For more information on the Joyful Child Foundation please go to www.joyfulchildfoundation.com.
|
||||||||||||
