National Safe Place

Convenience stores can provide aid to at-risk youth through National Safe Place, a fee-based community outreach program that agencies, local businesses and local government partner with to create a network of “Safe Places” where youth in crisis can get immediate help.

What is National Safe Place?

When teens find themselves in crisis or need a place to stay, they should know how and where to get help. Safe Place provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for youth in need. As a community initiative, National Safe Place (NSP) designates businesses, schools, fire stations, libraries, and other youth-friendly organizations as Safe Place locations, which display the yellow and black sign.

Safe Place locations extend the doors of the local youth service agency or shelter to support teens in crisis situations, creating a safety net for youth. National Safe Place will provide training, materials, support, legal protection and more.

Become a Safe Place Site

Safe Place sites are businesses and other public locations designated by licensed Safe Place agencies as “safe places” for youth to go when in a crisis situation. These locations fit criteria set up by NSPN and receive orientation and training by the local licensed Safe Place agency.

Safe Place sites display the Safe Place signage and call the local licensed agency when a youth enters and asks for help. They provide reassurance and safety until the Safe Place responder arrives to meet with the youth. Safe Place sites must work in partnership with a local, licensed agency who is responsible for the operation of the Safe Place program in their community. The licensed agency is responsible for assisting Safe Place sites with acquiring Safe Place signage, required training, and is the contact for sites when youth request help.

Visit National Safe Place to get involved.

Become a TXT 4 HELP licensed partner

National Safe Place operates TXT 4 HELP, a nationwide, 24-hour text-for-support service for teens in crisis. TXT 4 HELP partners help spread the safety net for youth in communities that do not have the capacity for more robust Safe Place services. Partners can provide locations for youth to safely use the texting system, access local information, and connect with a counseling professional via the Safe Place interactive texting component.

TXT 4 HELP works anywhere in the United States and can be used for the same reason a young person may go to a Safe Place site: abuse, bullying, family problems, depression, suicidal thoughts. Licensed partners can display TXT 4 HELP signage in their stores to provide at-risk teens an additional method for getting the help they need. To learn more about becoming a licensed TXT 4 HELP partner, read more about the requirements.