Teamwork results in Project Safe Place

Stickers show kids where to turn in crisis

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There are children throughout the valley that endure abusive situations every day.

This is why Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth and Terrible Herbst Oil Co. teamed together in 2002 to create the valleywide Project Safe Place.

Safe Place is designed to help children under the age of 18 who are in difficult situations.

Whether a child is being abused at home or is experiencing a threatening situation while walking to or from school, they have the option of stopping in a safe place.

More than 100 Terrible Herbst gas station locations throughout the valley are certified safe places.

If a child is not near Terrible's, they can board any CAT bus and be dropped off at one free of charge.

Kids can be sure the location is safe and secure by the designated four-sided, bright yellow signs displayed somewhere near the entrance, depicting two figures, one comforting the other, inside an arrow.

Even if a child is locked out of his or her home and feels unsafe waiting outdoors, going to one of the designated locations is an option, according to Bob Bellis, program coordinator for Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.

When a child arrives at a safe place, a trained employee will sit the child down in an office, give him or her a snack and call for assistance.

Within 20 minutes a counselor should arrive and either take the child to a Girls and Boys Town or WestCare -- the only 24-hour emergency shelter in the valley -- location, determine what the situation is, contact the parents to ensure them their child is safe, and take the appropriate steps.

"All bus drivers and Terrible employees have been trained on what questions to ask and what not to ask," Bellis said.

The employees are trained how to speak and deal with the children, and are informed of whom to contact while the child sits in a secure area.

"Because you know these kids are already scared to death, you don't want to make them any more uncomfortable," Bellis said.

On average, seven children a month get help from the organization.

Sean Higgins, general counsel for the Terrible Herbst Oil Co., said the Herbst family has been part of the Southern Nevada community since the 1950s.

"We wanted to give back to the community because we are in the community and we can help," Higgins said. "The most important people in this program are the employees. They do everything. They are the ones taking the kids in, protecting them and doing what they were trained to do."

"This is a great program," he said. "It is something to help the most vulnerable people in the community, which are the kids."

Safe Places can be found in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson.

Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth is involved with many other projects aimed at aiding homeless children.

"We take backpacks out to homeless kids that have water, school supplies, toothbrush, toothpaste and socks in them," Bellis said. "Socks are really a big thing. And then I ask them what size shoes they wear and try to get them back the next week so we can give them some shoes and clothes. A lot of these kids are walking around barefoot."

At the organization's headquarters, also the first drop-in center at 4800 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite E., there are facilities for youth to shower, do their laundry, get something to eat and use a telephone.

A bus ride home also is provided for the children, among other things.

The Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth drop-in center opened in 2001 supported by grants from Clark County, Del Web Communities, Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, Las Vegas Rotary Club, MGM Mirage, Sierra Pacific Communications, United Way and Vestin Mortgage.

"This place is more for the older kids really," Bellis said.

Other services Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth provides are anger management classes, birth records, bus passes, GED classes, health cards, health and dental care, HIV testing and counseling, Sheriff's work cards, required in order to work where liquor and gaming are present, and Techniques of Alcohol Management card, required for anyone who serves or sells alcohol or works in security.

The proceeds from the inaugural Southwest Fest, Sept. 24-25, to be held at the Grand Canyon Parkway Mall, Las Vegas Beltway and Flamingo Road, will benefit Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.

More information about the partnership can be found at www.nphy.org.