Safe Place: Advocating for Teens Beyond the Library

Safe Place is a national outreach program that connects teens in crisis with social service agencies. In Spring of 2019, Worthington Libraries partnered with Huckleberry House–a licensed agency in Columbus OH–to become a Safe Place site and expand our services to teens. After working deeply with Huck House, our library decided to refocus our efforts in building better relationships with our teens. Our staff underwent new training’s about teen brain development, trauma informed care practices and truly connecting with the teens who enter our buildings. With the help of Huck House, we developed stronger relationships with our teens and made our library space a real safe place. We will present information about how your library can become a Safe Place for teens by using a licensed agency and how your library can continue to do so during COVID.

Tara Shiman, Youth Services Librarian, Worthington Libraries
Stephanie Brand, Lead Librarian at Worthington Libraries in Ohio