What Are Our Goals?

Our main goal for helping the community through Project Safe Place is the opening of a headquarters in the area in order for youth to have an accessible place to turn when they feel like there is no where they can go. A strong volunteer base would be a necessity in order to keep the new Safe Place location a success. This program would also be beneficial to small businesses whom we hope will partner on and become members of the Safe Place family.

Stephanie Lancaster:

I grew up in a single family home where I lived with my mother who was diagnosed with emotional and psychological disabilities. From a young age I had to not only take care of my brother but my mom as well. Growing up I often experienced abuse in different ways. I was told I was a loser. My mother told me that she would be happier if I didn’t live there.

My junior year of high school I went on a 14-day trip to Europe with my school. For two weeks I experience no putdowns or hitting and I liked it. I realized that it was not normal how I was being treated and I did not have to put up with it. When I returned home the abuse started right back up. That night she started yelling at me and hitting me and told me to get out. I figured if I could survive two weeks without her then I could survive any amount of time.

My sophomore year of high school the Safe Place staff came to my school to educate us about their program. At the time I really did not pay much attention to it and thought I would never be in a shelter, but when I left home they were the first ones that popped into my head. I remembered the Safe Place signs and knew that there were other options for me than living on the street.

I am where I am today because I was lucky enough to have people who care about me. I would not change my past for anything. I feel it has made me who I am today and who I will become. I witnessed first hand a lot of good people altering their lives and time to help me and I want to do the same.

If you would like to designate your business as a Safe Place Site, please provide the following information:

Name of Business: _________________________

Owner’s Name: ___________________________

Physical Address: _________________________

Mailing Address: __________________________

Phone: __________________________________

Hours of Operation: _______________________

Managers Name or Whom we would contact to train your employees on Safe Place Procedures: _________________________________

There is a one time initiation fee of $35.00 and an annual fee of $25.00.

If you do not have a business site or do not wish to become a Safe Place Site but are interested in volunteering, please call Holly McManus, LMSW at (409) 356-3026.