Celebrating 20 Years of Safe Place in Erie County

On March 19th, Compass House had the honor of hosting a special press conference to mark the 20th anniversary of Safe Place in Erie County, a milestone that reflects two decades of providing critical support to young people in crisis. The event brought together community leaders, partners, and advocates who have played an integral role in the success of this essential program.

What is Safe Place?

Safe Place is a nationally recognized outreach and prevention program designed to help youth who are experiencing a crisis. By partnering with local businesses and community organizations, Safe Place provides immediate access to shelter, support services, and safety for young people ages 12 to 17.

Safe Place operates in 39 states and nearly 1,500 communities across the country, with over 56 stationary Safe Place sites and 330 mobile locations in Erie County alone. These sites include Tops Markets and NFTA Metro buses, which make it easy for youth in need to find a safe space.

Compass House is proud to be the local Safe Place provider for Erie County, a role it has held for the past 20 years, ensuring that every young person who needs help has a place to turn.

A Strong Partnership for Youth Safety

The press conference featured a range of speakers who highlighted the importance of Safe Place in the community. Mayor Christopher Scanlon kicked off the event, emphasizing the significance of this milestone for Erie County. Commissioner Karen Rybicki and Deputy Commissioner Catie Gavin also spoke about the vital role Safe Place plays in providing immediate assistance and long-term solutions to youth in crisis.

A particularly powerful moment came when Yvonne Jaros, former Director of Youth Services at Compass House, shared personal stories from her time working with the Safe Place program. She spoke about the many young people who had found safety, stability, and hope through the program, demonstrating the real-world impact Safe Place has had on the lives of local youth.

Honoring Community Partners

The success of Safe Place would not be possible without the dedication and support of many community partners. During the press conference, Compass House had the opportunity to recognize several of these partners with Community Impact Awards. These awards were presented to organizations that have been critical in helping Safe Place reach as many young people as possible.

The following partners were recognized for their ongoing commitment to Safe Place:

• GLYS (Gay and Lesbian Youth Services) – Jack Kavanaugh, Executive Director

• YMCA – Danielle Roberts, Vice President of Community Impact

• Lancaster Youth Bureau – John Trojanowsky, Executive Director

• Tops Markets – Andrew Brocato, Director of Community and Public Relations

Each of these organizations has played a crucial role in making Safe Place accessible to youth in need. Whether through providing physical locations, offering support services, or helping raise awareness, their work ensures that young people across Erie County have a safe place to go when they need it most.

Looking Forward to the Future

As we celebrate 20 years of Safe Place in Erie County, Compass House looks forward to continuing this important work for many years to come. The ongoing support of our community partners is invaluable in ensuring that youth in crisis always have somewhere to turn. Safe Place is not just a program—it’s a lifeline for young people who need help in their most vulnerable moments.

Thanks to the commitment of Tops Markets, NFTA, and all of our partners, Safe Place will continue to provide a network of support and safety for Erie County’s youth. Here’s to the next 20 years of keeping our community’s young people safe, supported, and empowered!

Stay tuned for more updates on Safe Place and how Compass House continues to make a difference in the lives of runaway and homeless youth across Erie County.