Kids In Crisis: Promoting A Safe Haven in Fairfield County

By Jenny Large - 03/08
NEIRAD enilno edition

In 1994, UNICEF determined that there were roughly 100 million children living or working on the streets of the world’s cities, largely because of family issues and breakdowns at home. The organization Kids in Crisis is taking the initiative to help these children.

Since 1978, Kids in Crisis (KIC) has provided free professional counseling services to children and their families. Based in Cos Cob, it is Connecticut’s only facility for children ages 17 and under. KIC also offers temporary refuge, medical care, and educational support for its young clientele. The organization often deals with children who feel unsafe in their surroundings and have no one else to turn to for help – particularly victims of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The kids involved often believe that their situation has escalated beyond their control and seek the aid of a responsible adult.

This month, Kids in Crisis will be launching the Safe Place program in Fairfield County. Introduced in 1983, Safe Place is a nationwide program designed to aid children who find themselves in emergency situations or in urgent need of help. It offers immediate professional help to children in distress twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

According to Kids in Crisis representative Jamie Dorman, Safe Place is a “natural extension of the services currently provided by Kids In Crisis.” Yet, it is unique to other KIC programs in that it encourages youth outreach within the community. This not only creates a greater sense of community, but also helps kids to deal with their family problems, preventing them from escalating into more serious issues.
The success of the Safe Place program relies heavily on the participation of the entire community. Local businesses and organizations that choose to get involved are given a Safe Place sign to display in a visible place at their place of business. Safe Place sites in Fairfield County will include all local fire stations, teen centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, and community centers. Local transit authorities have also agreed to establish buses as Safe Place locations. When a child in distress enters the vicinity, adults are instructed to approach the child, assess the situation, and call Kids in Crisis at 203-327-KIDS. The KIC professional who receives the call will immediately send a trained staff member to collect the child. From there, they will take measures specific to the child’s needs.

Dorman, who leads the Darien chapter of the KIC Youth Corps, is extremely passionate about the Safe Place program. “I am so excited for Kids in Crisis to start up the Safe Place program because I truly believe that keeping kids safe is . . . the [entire] community's responsibility. Safe Place provides kids immediate help and safety, which could not be more important.”
The Safe Place program will kick off in Fairfield County on Monday, March 17th. Be sure to look out for the yellow Kids in Crisis signs posted around town!