Mayor Mitch Roth’s office announced Tuesday the Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency, in partnership with National Safe Place Network, is expanding the Safe Place initiative to include The Salvation Army Family Intervention Services.
This increases the number of Safe Place sites for youth in crisis on Hawaii Island.
As a newly designated Safe Place, Salvation Army Family Intervention Services will display the yellow and black Safe Place sign, which signifies immediate help and safety for youth. These signs are also installed on all 55 Hele-On buses operating across the island.
“Ensuring our keiki have places where they can feel safe and protected is integral to a sustainable Hawaii Island where our keiki can thrive and succeed for generations,” Roth said in a press release. “That’s why we made our buses safe places and why we’re proud to partner with organizations islandwide that have a proven track record of providing critical services for our community. Our partnership with The Salvation Army Family Intervention Services exemplifies that.”
Over 1.5 million youth run away from home yearly due to abuse, neglect, family conflicts and other issues. The Safe Place program is an option for young people who feel they have nowhere to turn.
The county’s Safe Place initiative, operated by the Mass Transit Agency, is part of a national network of Safe Place programs in 38 states. Over 20,000 community businesses and organizations nationwide display the Safe Place sign, making help readily available for youth in need.
Residents can find these Safe Place locations on all Hele-On buses, islandwide; The Salvation Army Family Intervention Services, 1786 Kinoole St., Hilo; Mo‘oheau Bus Terminal, 329 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo; West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Bldg. D, Kailua-Kona; and the Mass Transit Agency Baseyard, 2299 Ho‘olaulima Road, Hilo.
For Safe Place and Hele-On information, call (808) 961-8744 or visit www.heleonbus.org.