Safe Place, A Program Helping Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Spotlight on Safe Place, a Boys & Girls Aid Program Helping Homeless Youth

Oregon’s struggles to help our neighbors experiencing homelessness are an ongoing and complex problem. And in 2018-2019, according to the Oregon Department of Education, there were over 21,000 students who experienced homelessness at some point – and that was even before the economic strife of the pandemic.

That’s why we are proud to highlight the great work at Safe Place, a Boys & Girls Aid program in Hillsboro, which offers emergency shelter for youth and essential services to help them find stability and permanent homes.

Since 2007, Safe Place has been providing basic necessities like meals and snacks, clothing, showers, hygiene supplies, and laundry facilities, and a safe living environment. It’s a comfortable living space with dorm-style bedrooms, recreation areas, computers, books, and art supplies.

Safe Place serves nearly 150 youth each year. Clients may come to Safe Place as walk-ins, or they may be referred by community members, agencies, and family members. Safe Place houses a 30-day emergency shelter program for youth, but because many need more time to find stability, some stay longer. Other drop-in youth access services as needed during the day. Safe Place is one of two emergency shelters in the Portland-metro area that takes in minors, and they don’t turn away any at-risk minors that they can accommodate.

At Safe Place, clients work with staff weekly on specific goals related to their next steps toward permanency, whether that’s returning to family, living independently or finding employment. Case managers can help with individual and family counseling, skills building and resources for safe, stable housing. An Education Coordinator offers support around returning to school or obtaining a GED. In addition, staff also provide recreational activities onsite and in the community. At Safe Place, clients have access to staff support 24 hours a day.

“This place is a good refuge,” one client shared. “The staff they hire have your best interest at heart and really work with you towards your goals of becoming independent. As long as you’re working towards getting yourself in a better place, they will do all in their power to support you and get you there.”

Youth are working towards stability during all kinds of life events that brought them to Safe Place. These are a few profiles of youth that recently stayed at Safe Place:

A 15-year old whose family was homeless and sleeping on the floor of a relative’s home. The family was able to secure stable housing, and the youth joined them in the new home.
A 14-year-old waiting for a move to a foster home. The youth was able to stay at Safe Place instead of staying in a hotel with a caseworker.
A 17-year old experiencing conflict with her family. During her stay, our Mental Health Coordinator was able to offer mediation services to the family, and the youth eventually returned home to a more stable environment.
A 16-year old whose family was searching for housing after a fire in their family’s apartment. Their family found new housing and the youth joined them in the new home.

An 18-year-old who found an independent living option when the living situation in their family home was no longer sustainable.

“Safe Place provides a safe and welcoming place to stay when it’s not possible for these kids to be with their families,” said Dr. Suzan Huntington, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Aid. “We meet them where they are at and place no judgement; we just see them for who they are and offer them authentic assistance. It’s important to us that we remind them of their value and worth and share all resources available for them until they can find secure housing.”