In 2021, National Safe Place Network (NSPN) introduced you to young people like Amaya and Zander. Amaya left home during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic due to escalating fights with her father. She was on the streets during stay-at-home orders and desperate for help. Zander was contemplating suicide after the death of his mother. His father had shut down and grief was becoming unbearable.

The Journey to Safety campaign featured real stories of vulnerable young people who were able to access safety, support and help through Safe Place and TXT 4 HELP. Safe Place makes a difference, and it shows through these stories. Without Safe Place, Amaya faced the dangers of being on the streets during a global pandemic. Without TXT 4 HELP, Zander may have ended his own life and not seen the bright future in front of him. Safe Place and TXT 4 HELP continues to make a difference in the lives of young people in communities nationwide. Will you please commit to ensuring young people in your community, like Amaya and Zander, have access to safety and support when they need it most by making a monetary contribution?

Throughout 2022, NSPN will focus on prevention to help expand the safety net for youth. The Pay it Forward Prevention campaign will share real stories of youth impacted by Safe Place, provide a better understanding of risks and needs, and promote resources for helping prevent dangerous situations. What is the hardest decision you have ever had to make? Did it involve keeping your sexuality a secret so you were not disowned or kicked out of your home; involve wearing long sleeves in the middle of summer to hid bruises you would rather not explain; involve doing whatever you can to survive? Pay it Forward Prevention outlines what prevention sounds like, looks like, and feels like to young people in crisis. You can start participating in Pay it Forward Prevention now and help prevent ongoing sadness, anger, fear, loneliness, and even death of youth in crisis through the following:

By giving $25, you will support one youth to use TXT 4 HELP to immediately connect with a counselor when in crisis. By giving $50, you will make two universally-recognizable Safe Place signs available for sites so youth know where to go. By giving $100, you will provide 4,000 outreach cards to ensure youth know about safe options. By giving $500, you will support an increase in the quality of direct care provided to ten youth. By giving $1,000, you will provide educational materials to youth in ten communities.

In the most recent edition of NSPNsights, NSPN is pleased to honor individuals who are making a difference in the lives of youth through monthly contributions, service, and a combination of the two. Safe Place Ambassadors make a difference in communities nationwide by connecting with local youth serving agencies and promoting Safe Place and TXT 4 HELP within their respective communities. NSPN is thankful for those who have given their time and money to support the efforts to keep youth safe and help ensure all young people have someplace to go... someone to help.

NSPN needs you to open your hearts to support young people. Your gift will help youth not only survive, but also thrive. Youth in crisis are counting on you.