Hawai’i County’s Hele-On and National Safe Place Network unite to keep youth safe
National Safe Place Network (NSPN) and the County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency (MTA) are partnering to launch Safe Place to expand the safety net for youth in crisis on Hawai’i Island.
Safe Place programs offer a place to turn to for many youths who believe they have no other option. Because Hawai’i Island does not have a full operating Safe Place program, the MTA has elected to partner with NSPN, helping bring resources and services to those in need.
Through the Safe Place transit model, NSPN offers partial Safe Place services throughout the island, where the resources for a full program are not currently available. It is the desire of the MTA to partner with a non-profit organization to support the intent of the Safe Place program and MTA is in discussions with the Salvation Army.
“Unfortunately, in today’s world, young people face family problems, homelessness, bullying, neglect, abuse and even human trafficking,” said Laurie Jackson, president and CEO of NSPN. “Each year, the Safe Place and TXT 4 HELP programs directly impact the lives of more than 12,000 youth by providing access to immediate help and safety. TXT 4 HELP has offered real-time assistance to youth in crisis by responding to more than 117,000 incoming text messages since its inception in 2009.”
The Safe Place transit model will allow for a youth in need to reach out through boarding a Hele-On bus and asking the bus driver for a “Safe Place.” The bus driver will connect with dispatch whom will contact the appropriate resources or organizations to meet the youth in need to help them out of crisis. With a community of more than 21,000 partner businesses across the country, Safe Place seeks to expand its reach through partnerships similar to its relationship with Hele-On.
“Our keiki are our future for a sustainable living on this island and we must keep them safe. Allowing our keiki to get help when they are in need by merely boarding a Hele-On bus going to a Hele-On facility in Hilo or Kailua-Kona is important. Our youth need to know that they can count on a Hele-On to provide them a Safe Place as well as resources when there is no one else to turn to,” said Lee Lord, managing director for the County of Hawai’i.
“This partnership is important to us because safety is a key part of our mission in our service to the keiki of our island and we are dedicated to be a resource for those in need,” added John Andoh, mass transit administrator and general manager. “Providing a safe, secure haven for our vulnerable youth is something that we feel called to do and in joining forces with NSPN, we join more than 12,000 other transit/mobile locations nationally.”
The Hawai’i Youth Services Network has been instrumental in the implementation of the new Safe Spaces for Youth Pilot Project that was recently approved by the legislature and signed into law by the governor and the MTA is excited to coordinate this new partnership with them.
“Nearly half of Hawaii’s juvenile arrests are for status offenses like running away from home or being truant from school. Since 2013, our youth have advocated for safe places where they can go before they get in trouble with the law. The Hele-On Safe Place Program will help our youth connect with the help that they and their families need,” said Judith Clark, executive director, Hawai’I Youth Services Network.
