Two islands in Hawaiʻi are stepping up to provide a safe haven for young people in distress. Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island have launched the 'Safe Spaces for Youth' pilot project in collaboration with the Department of Human Services Office of Youth Services and other partners, as per the information shared by the Department of Human Services. The initiative is aimed to quickly assist and ensure the safety of youths facing crisis situations.

The project centers around the Safe Place program, a nationally recognized initiative where organizations display distinctive yellow and black diamond-shaped signs to indicate a safe haven for young people in distress. According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security on the Office of the Governor's official website, this program aims to be a crucial support system for youth who find themselves in need, recognizing the troubling fact that over 1.5 million teenagers in the U.S. attempt to run away from home each year due to various challenges.

Judith Clark, Executive Director of Hawaii Youth Services Network, highlighted the program's importance by stating, "Our youth have told us that they need safe places to go when it is not safe for them at home or to get help with problems like bullying and mental health.” This insight was affirmed in the Office of the Governor's official website. This announcement marks the expansion of the Safe Place's national footprint, which already spans across 38 states and the District of Columbia with over 22,000 locations.

The pilot aims to comprehensively address social issues faced by young people by linking them directly to support services through a recognizable and accessible network. Safe Place already operates at specific locations, including The Salvation Army in Hilo and at Hale Kipa in Honolulu, and is actively recruiting additional sites. "Through public and private partnerships, Safe Place provides a consistent system of response for youth experiencing homelessness and crisis," Office of Youth Services Executive Director Leanne Gillespie was quoted explaining in the Office of the Governor news release. "Providing young people with clearly identified locations and contact numbers to access needed services is critical for their safety and well-being."

In keeping with the call to action for community participation, Department of Human Services is encouraging local businesses to join the initiative by becoming Safe Place sites. For those on Oahu interested in getting involved, contact information has been made available through Phillip Humphrey at [email protected] or by phone at (808) 999-7233. Likewise, Henry Aina Jr. can be reached on Hawaiʻi Island at [email protected] or (808) 959-5855 to facilitate support distribution among youth within the community.