OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The National Safe Place Network is returning to Oklahoma City to help young people who need immediate safety.
Children just need to look for the black and yellow diamond-shaped signs on Oklahoma City fire stations and OnCue stores.
“Safe Place gives an option to young people who feel they have no place to turn,” said Fire Chief Richard Kelley. “We want them to know that if they come to a fire station or an OnCue store, we’ll put them in touch with people who can help them.”
The signs look exactly like what you would find on the street and say “Safe Place” with a house as the “a” in Place and attached to the outside of every OKC fire station and certain OnCue stores.
Be The Change will be the lead local agency for the program and is partnering with Pivot and SISU Youth Services.
“About a million young people run away from home every year due to abuse, neglect, family conflicts and other issues,” said Be The Change Executive Director Jonathan Roberts. “A Safe Place is the perfect place to go to get help, and because there will be one in every fire station and OnCue store, there will be one close to every kid in Oklahoma City. We’ll help get what they need and keep them safe.”
The National Safe Place Network has helped more than 330,000 children since it started in 1983, serving more than 1,400 communities across the country.
Youth can also text the word “safe” and their current location (address, city, state) to 69866 and receive a message with the closest Safe Place location, the number for a local youth shelter and an option to text interactively with a mental health professional.
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