Download the Project Safe Place Brochure (requires Acrobat Reader)

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How Project Safe Place Works

Project Safe Place provides 24 hour, 7 days a week help for children up to 18 years of age in Marion County who are in crisis or potentially dangerous situations and who may require counseling or emergency shelter care. Children can seek assistance at more than 250 Project Safe Place sites throughout the community or may call the 634-KIDS crisis line. Locations are identified by yellow and black diamond-shaped Project Safe Place signs.

When a child in trouble comes to a site, employees have been trained to contact the Project Safe Place office. Project Safe Place then dispatches a screened, trained volunteer or staff member to intervene and take appropriate action, based on the individual's need. When necessary, the volunteer may transport the child to the crisis shelter where services can be provided. If transportation to the Crisis Shelter is necessary, parents are contacted by shelter staff.

634-KIDS Poster/Billboard Contest

The 634-KIDS Poster/Billboard Contest gives 6th, 7th, and 8th graders the opportunity to create a poster for Safe Place and learn more about Safe Place services. One of the posters designed by a student is chosen as the winner and is recreated and displayed on 20 billboards throughout Marion County. The contest is targeted to public, township, and parochial schools.

This year's applications have been delivered. If your school is not involved, or you are a parent or student who participates in home schooling, feel free to contact the Safe Place Coordinator in order to obtain an application. Contact Debbie Kirk at 634.5050 for more information on the annual contest.

Link to National Project Safe Place

The following site gives information about Project Safe Place Sites all over the country. It also offers current national statistics about teens and about Safe Place: http://www.safeplaceservices.org

"Safe Place Saturday" Fund Raiser

Project Safe Place has an annual fundraiser every summer. Volunteers set up informational booths outside of selected Marsh Supermarkets and collect donations. Business sponsors throughout Indianapolis match these donations. Firefighters from around the city team up with the volunteer groups and station their fire engines in front of the Marshes. This is a wonderful opportunity for people in the community to learn about and support Project Safe Place. Safe Place Saturday takes place each June. If you are interested in volunteering for this event in the future, please call the Volunteer Services Coordinator at 317.634.5050 or send email to Sarah Parsons at sparsons@childrensbureau.org.

School Presentations and Community Events

The Project Safe Place Coordinator is available to do school presentations and provide an interactive and/or informational booth at community events such as fairs or conferences. Please contact the Safe Place Coordinator if your school or community group is interested.

History of Project Safe Place

Project Safe Place began in Louisville, Kentucky in 1983 as an attempt to provide protection for and make shelter facilities more accessible to children up to 18 years old. The program was very successful, and now has been implemented in 33 states. In 1987, the Children's Bureau, Inc. launched this program in Marion County. There are now over 250 Project Safe Place Sites in Marion County that continue to help kids who are in crisis or potentially dangerous situations.

Contact information

If you would like more information concerning Project Safe Place, please call the Project Safe Place Coordinator at 317.634.KIDS or send e-mail to info@childrensbureau.org.