YMCA Safe Place Services is a branch of the YMCA of Greater Louisville. We’re committed to making our community stronger by providing help, hope and healing to teens and families in crisis, including homeless youth and those in need of youth homeless shelters. Our mission is to accept, affirm and advocate for youth by empowering them to reach their full potential in spirit, mind and body.
Intro
We’re committed to making our community stronger by providing help, hope and healing to teens and families in crisis, including homeless youth and those in need of youth homeless shelters.
Learn more about our specific programs using the links below.
Safe Places
Any young person under 18 may go to any business, community center or TARC bus displaying the Safe Place sign, ask for help and an employee at the site will contact a Safe Place Services team member. Youth and teens may also talk with a teacher or counselor at their school about YMCA Safe Place Services.
Once our staff is contacted, a trained volunteer will soon arrive and then transport the youth to our facility, where they will be welcomed, receive an immediate safety assessment and be provided with the help they need.
Shelter House
Shelter House offers teens who are struggling a safe place to stay while things calm down at home. The Shelter House program gives teens and families a chance to gain distance from conflict, begin mediation and develop a plan to improve the relationship that is based on the family’s strengths.
Shelter House accommodates kids and teens between the ages of 12 to 17, and the average stay ranges from 10 to 14 days.
Shelter House Services
- 24-hour staff support
- Case management support and advocacy for teens
- Access to medical and dental care
- Transportation to school
- Life skills training, tutoring and educational assistance
- Family mediation services
- 24-bed residential dorm with meals and snacks provided daily
- Referrals to other community support services
Y-NOW Mentoring
The stigma of having a parent incarcerated can cause children to feel shame, blame and fear. And it can lead to bullying and ridicule at school.
Children whose parents are in prison often struggle academically and find it difficult to trust adults. In fact, children with an incarcerated parent or parents are at an increased risk for anxiety, depression, aggression, truancy, substance abuse and attention disorders.
Sadly, studies show that these children are also seven times more likely to become incarcerated themselves.
Our goal is to break that cycle. Our mentoring program allows role models to give a helping hand.
How the Y-NOW Mentoring Program Works
The Y-NOW Mentoring Program begins with a 3-day camp retreat designed to help youth take a look at their lives and attempt to identify what is getting in the way of their success. They are asked to evaluate their experiences, choices and behavior and are then given the encouragement, confidence and guidance they need to realize their full potential.
The retreat is followed by ten months of one-on-one mentoring with a thoroughly screened and trained adult who commits to one phone call and one face-to-face meeting each week. In addition, structured group meetings are held twice a month along with special activities throughout the year, which include a trip to a halfway house, a community service project, family days, and a graduation ceremony.
Ongoing case management ensures that the full complement of needs of the youth, family and mentor are addressed — even after the program is completed
Street Outreach Program
Homelessness is a real problem in our community. It is estimated that thousands of youth and young adults in our community are unstably housed and don’t have a bed or home of their own. What’s worse, many suffer from mental illness, alcohol or drug addiction and/or engage in high-risk sexual behaviors.
The YMCA Safe Place Services’ Street Outreach Program was created to educate homeless teens and young adults about the help available to them and give them immediate support in meeting their basic needs of food, water, shelter and hygiene supplies.
Our Street Outreach Program provides assistance for teens and young adults who may have fallen into drug use, prostitution, gangs or domestic violence — or those who have aged out of foster care or have been kicked out of their homes.
Street Outreach teams survey and visit parts of Louisville at varying times of day and night depending on the observations and reports of other street youth and past experience.
Street Outreach Services
- Provide food, clothing, personal hygiene products and first aid
- Provide case management and emergency shelter referral to youth and young adults ages 12-24, while they transition to a stable living arrangement
- One-to-one education about our free and confidential community services
Matt Kubancik Youth Development Center
This facility is dedicated to helping homeless kids, teens and young adults overcome crisis and promote self-sufficiency. The youth development center provides opportunities to participate in artistic, athletic, employment and educational activities that build confidence and character — all while teaching them the importance of making healthy choices.
Teens and young adults learn life skills that prepare them to become successful, independent members of the community.
Features
- Computer and Learning Lab: An engaging, supportive, and challenging place featuring a classroom where kids and teens learn, build confidence and practice life skills.
- Bathrooms and Laundry Space: Includes private showers and a washer and dryer.
- Gym Space: A safe, clean place for games, recreational activities and basketball.
- Health and Fitness Activities and Equipment: To encourage healthy living, the facility offers an array of cardio and strength–training equipment.
- Drop-In Space: Offers case management services, basic needs support, self-sufficiency and employment training and education, mental health service referrals and financial literacy courses.
The Difference is You
Volunteer
Every day, our organization deals with serious family issues like teen homelessness, addiction, and we work with families with varying needs and compositions.
We rely on people like you to volunteer time and resources to help teens and families in our community get on a better track — and the difference you can make is immeasurable.
All YMCA Safe Place Services volunteers receive free training and ongoing guidance, so you can be prepared and comfortable to carry out your duties.
Continue Exploring
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Who We Are
We’re committed to making our community stronger by providing help, hope and healing to teens and families in crisis.
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Community Impact
Learn more about how YMCA Safe Place Services is making change in the community.
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Get Involved
We rely on people like you to volunteer time and resources to help teens and families in our community get on a better track.