National Safe Place Week Celebrates Safe Place® Program for Youth
March 2, 2026 | Comments Off on National Safe Place Week Celebrates Safe Place® Program for Youth
The Relatives serves as the host agency for Charlotte-Mecklenburg
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHARLOTTE, NC – National Safe Place Network (NSPN) is pleased to announce March 15-21, 2026, as National Safe Place (NSP) Week. The nationally recognized week serves to raise awareness about the Safe Place program, a national program that brings together youth service agencies, businesses, volunteers, and other community partners to help youth in crisis.
“Unfortunately, every day in our country, young people face troubling issues, such as abuse, neglect, sextortion, bullying, and serious family problems,” said Laurie Padilla, President and CEO of NSPN. “It’s up to all of us to offer solutions, places where youth can go to get help. National Safe Place Week is the perfect opportunity for communities across the country to assess and strengthen their safety net for youth, as well as focus on the power of Safe Place as a prevention tool.”
Safe Place consists of a national network of more than 20,000 partnering businesses and community locations, such as fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, fire stations, public buses, and libraries, which display the Safe Place sign in their windows. As youth enter a designated Safe Place and ask for help, trained staff members connect them to the appropriate youth shelter for assistance.
In addition to Safe Place sites, youth may also access immediate help via TXT 4 HELP, a text-for-support service for youth in crisis. Teens can text the word “safe” and their current location (address, city, state) to 4HELP (44357) to receive a message with the closest Safe Place location and the number for the local youth shelter. Users can also text a counselor for more help.
Safe Place, operated locally by The Relatives since 1988, partners with more than 40 businesses and community organizations to provide immediate safety and support for local youth. Charlotte has over 680 Safe Place site locations, including QuikTrip, CATS, Charlotte Fire Department, CMS, YMCA, INLIVIAN, 9 Round, Amelie’s, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Libraries and Bojangles.
“Our goal is to cover as much ground as possible across our growing metropolitan area. While our Youth Crisis Center is in the Dilworth neighborhood and we operate from our administrative offices at On Ramp Resource Center on Freedom Drive,” explains Trish Hobson, Executive Director of The Relatives, “we never want distance to be the reason a young person feels alone. We strategically partner with public service providers and businesses that take an active role in supporting and uplifting our youth.”
Since its inception in 1983, Safe Place has helped more than 409,000 youth and currently serves more than 1,700 communities across the country. The program is managed by 138 youth agencies, transit and first responder partners, and TXT 4 HELP sites in 40 states and the District of Columbia.
The Relatives are recognizing National Safe Place Week with the support of its partners. In addition to attending select Charlotte-Mecklenburg School campuses, the organization will offer two opportunities for the community to participate in Robert’s Walk, a one-mile walk honoring young man named Robert who journeyed from Freedom Park up East Boulevard to the Youth Crisis Center — all because he saw the yellow Safe Place sign. The Charlotte Knights will host Robert’s Walk at Truist Field on Wednesday, March 18 at 11 a.m. EST, and The Relatives will host a second walk at On Ramp Resource Center on Friday, March 20 at 1 p.m. EST. The community is invited to join in raising awareness and uplifting thousands of young people who have found relief thanks to the Safe Place program.
About National Safe Place Network
The National Safe Place Network (NSPN) operates nationally recognized programs, including Safe Place®. More than 20,000 businesses and community locations participate as Safe Place sites – such as restaurants, convenience stores, fire stations, public buses, and libraries. These locations display the Safe Place sign and connect youth in crisis with resources and supports. Safe Place also provides a national text-for-support program, TXT 4 HELP. Teens can text the word “SAFE” to 4HELP (44357) and access options to locate the nearest Safe Place and text one-on-one with a counselor. TXT 4 HELP is available 24/7/365. NSPN also provides quality training, capacity building, and technical support to youth and family service organizations across the nation. Learn more about NSPN and Safe Place at www.nspnetwork.org and www.nationalsafeplace.org.
About The Relatives
Founded in 1974, The Relatives is a Charlotte-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth and young adults who are homeless, in crisis, or otherwise vulnerable. What began as a temporary shelter for displaced youth has become a hub of resources directly responding to the needs of young people with wrap-around services tailored to their individual needs. The Relatives provides safety, security, and opportunity for young people ages 7-24 through its Youth Crisis Center, On Ramp Resource Center, and community-based outreach programs. Learn more about The Relatives and Charlotte’s Safe Place Program at www.therelatives.org.
Media Contact:
Brandi Barron
Director of Communications, The Relatives
bbarron@therelatives.org | 704.534.2725
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