The meaning of those 508 yellow “Safe Place” signs around town
Perhaps you have recently been riding the light rail looking for inspiration or driving down East Boulevard en route to a cup of Common Market’s Sexy Power. Perhaps you have been working up a sweat at one of the Greater Charlotte YMCAs. You may have spotted one of the yellow Safe Place signs along the way
You’re curious — here’s what they mean.
The Relatives, the Safe Place agency for Mecklenburg County, partnered with National Safe Place in 1988 to establish a local network of churches, businesses, schools, transportation services and other community locations that were open to posting Safe Place signs and therefore becoming a designated place for youth in crisis to find help.
Curtis Joe, program director for The Relatives, said there is a grand total of 188 standing sites that are designated Safe Places, and 320 mobile sites. At these sites, any child or teen can ask for help and get connected to the Youth Crisis Center. The Crisis Center has provided a safe spot since 1974 for youth ages 7-17 who have run away from home, are homeless or are experiencing a difficult family situation.
Though Dilworth is quite the hotspot for these yellow bursts, Safe Place designations are not limited to any part of the city.
Other Safe Places around the city include CATS buses, Bojangles and QuikTrip locations, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Surprisingly, only 25 of 164 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are Safe Places. Joe said, “We’re trying to work the relationship to make all schools safe places.”
Though the official designation process has been tricky due to superintendent changes, 62 percent of referrals for The Relatives still come from CMS. An average of 50 kids are referred to The Relatives from standing sites each year, while an average of 80 kids are referred from buses.
Interested in making your business a Safe Place? Any place can become a Safe Place.
Photos: Katie Toussaint, Todd Sumlin/Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 11:06 PM with the headline "The meaning of those 508 yellow “Safe Place” signs around town."