Any Questions?
- What is YMCA Safe Place Services?
- How can I get help?
- Who can use YMCA Safe Place Services?
- What if I’m over 17 years old?
- What happens when I go to a Safe Place site?
- Will they call my parents?
- How can I get involved in the next Y-NOW Children of Prisoners Mentoring Program?
- How long is the commitment for the mentoring program?
- What is the criteria for participating?
What is YMCA Safe Place Services?
We offer a continuum of unique programming for our community’s young people and their families. Whether it is through our 24 bed emergency teen residential shelter, our 24 hour hotline, our intensive and immediate case management by skilled and experienced staff, our network of “entry points” at over 340 Safe Place sites located across the community or our street outreach, teens and families in need are utilizing the powerfully effective programs we have available to them and getting the help they need.
How can I get help?
You can come by yourself (or with a friend, parent, or guardian) to our building – 2400 Crittenden Drive 24 hours a day (next to the Denny’s at Eastern Parkway and Crittenden Drive) – ring the front doorbell if it’s after 5:00pm.
You can call us for advice or to ask questions about things that are bothering you or that you are concerned about. We can give you ideas about other places to go for help too. If you need a safe place to stay you might want to come here.
You can also get to us by going to a Safe Place site. These are businesses around town that display a large yellow and black diamond-shaped metal “Safe Place” sign or decal that have trained staff who can help you get to our building. Go to any fire station, library, White Castle, Thorntons, McDonalds, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, school counselor or Youth Service Center offices, TARC bus, or Kroger and say that you need to contact Safe Place.
If you are trying to get help and the business is closed try a site that is open 24 hours or call our hotline, 635-5233 and we’ll direct you to the next closest location.
Who can use YMCA Safe Place Services?
Any teen 17 and under can get help at a Safe Place site. If you are having problems at home, suffering from abuse or neglect, lost or in some dangerous situation, with a drunk or unsafe driver, or just need to talk about a problem our staff is here 24 hours a day to listen.
What if I’m over 17 years old?
If you are 18 to 22 and have nowhere to stay please contact our Street Outreach Case Manager Stacy Meadows at smeadows@ymcalouisville.org or 635-4402.
What happens when I go to a Safe Place site?
Just tell an employee, “I need a Safe Place.” The employee will find a safe and comfortable spot where you can wait while he or she contacts YMCA Safe Place Services’ Shelter House Program. A Safe Place volunteer or agency staff member should arrive within 30 - 40 minutes.
The Safe Place volunteer will greet you and show the staff person their identification. They will then transport you safely to the Shelter House program of YMCA Safe Place Services at 2400 Crittenden Drive.
What happens after I get to Shelter House?
Once at Shelter House a staff person will ask if you are hungry or have any immediate needs. The two of you will then talk about what’s going on that made you want to seek help and will work on a plan to keep you safe and figure out some solutions. The decision to stay at Shelter House is voluntary. No one will force you to stay. The decision is always yours. We have male and female dorms, each with 12 beds spread out over 4 individual rooms. Shelter House is for teens ages 12 – 17 years old.
While you are here we will provide you with a safe place to sleep, food, clothing (if you didn’t bring enough for 3 to 4 days), hygiene products, shower, transportation to your regular school, family mediation, life skills and also fun activities and any medical attention you might need.
Will you contact my parents?
Yes. The law says that we must contact your legal guardians to let them know that you are safe. However our goal is to keep you safe and if we need to contact Child Protective Services we will do that for your protection. Our other goal is to keep families together by working things out but sometimes things can’t be resolved quickly so staying at Shelter House for a few days is sometimes helpful.
How can I get involved in the next Y-NOW Children of Prisoners Mentoring Program?
Call Dave @ 635-4394
How long is the commitment for the mentoring program?
Twelve months
What are the criteria for teen participation in the mentoring program?
Must have a parent incarcerated
11-15 years old
Must commit to attending a 4-day camp, group meetings, and working with a mentor for 12 months
