Young people in crisis now have a new place to turn for help—every Wake County public library. Thanks to a new partnership with Haven House Services, all 23 library locations are designated as official Safe Place sites, offering immediate help and safety to youth in need.
This initiative, which began rolling out in November, includes the installation of Safe Place signage and comprehensive staff training across the library system. Through this collaboration, Wake County libraries become a visible and accessible part of a critical safety net for young people in Wake County.
“Libraries have long been trusted spaces in our communities,” said Wake County Commissioner Susan Evans. “By becoming Safe Place sites, they’re taking an important step to ensure that any young person in crisis can find safety and support when they need it most.”
What is Safe Place?
Safe Place is a nationally recognized outreach and prevention program that connects youth in need with caring adults and community resources. In Wake County, Haven House Services is the licensed Safe Place agency certified by the National Safe Place Network, partnering with more than 100 local Safe Place sites. As the designated response partner, Haven House will coordinate with library staff to ensure that a trained responder arrives within 30 minutes when someone seeks help.
Each library will display the yellow diamond Safe Place sign, which lets young people know that assistance is available. Library staff will provide a welcoming environment and work closely with Haven House to assess their needs and connect them with appropriate services, which may include temporary shelter, counseling, or other community-based support.
“This partnership with Wake County libraries expands our reach to every corner of the community," said Patricia Cardoso, Haven House Services Chief Operating Officer. "By making Safe Place sites more accessible, we’re ensuring that any young person in a crisis situation knows that they are not alone, and help is never far away.”
This effort supports Wake County Public Libraries' mission to strengthen community connections and ensure that every library is a safe, inclusive environment for all youth.
“Libraries are much more than places to borrow books,” said Tammy Baggett, director of Wake County Public Libraries. “By becoming Safe Place sites, we’re reinforcing our commitment to our community’s youth and letting them know that if they need help, they can walk into any of our libraries and find someone who cares.”
