CLEARLAKE ? Contributors to the Safe House are pleased to announce that the facility is up and running at an undisclosed location in Clearlake. The program provides a short-term residence and a comprehensive program of services for runaway, homeless and “throwaway” youth younger than 18 years of age.
“This has been a much-needed program for our community for a long time and this is the first one in the entire county. We are hoping that we can make the difference in the lives of children who are homeless, runaway or throwaway,” Georgina Lehne, Lake County Community Action Agency executive director said. “We have a house manager in place and some staff for the weekends. Now we are just working with the different schools in the area who know about the kids.”
The Safe House program offers up to 30 to 45 consecutive days of safe, appropriate shelter in a home-like, secure setting with clearly enforced rules. Several assistive services are offered onsite to help youth with the various struggles they may be facing. Onsite services include drug and alcohol counseling, treatment and prevention education including one-on-one, group and crisis counseling; parenting skills classes and support such as “Nurturing Parents;” individual, family and group counseling services (as appropriate) to youth that can include parents, guardians or other family; and “wraparound” services for child and family to heal and unify the family when it is safe for the youth.
Displaced teens will find assistance in individualizing their education plans with services that range from keeping youth in school, re-enrollment or onsite independent study. They will also find assistance in access health service (general, dental, vision and hearing) including insurance enrollment, appointments and transportation.
Other services include skill-building classes and referrals that help youth with basic life skills, interpersonal skill-building, post-high school education and job planning, financial planning, legal assistance and referrals to other services.
Aftercare, including a detailed post-shelter transition plan, prepared in partnership with youth and family (when safe), plus school counselors and other who work with or have a positive relationship with the youth is also available.
“This is something that Dr. Bill MacDougall has wanted for 20 years,” Lehne said. “The Safe House Committee said that Bill is the heart and I am the soul of this project.”
For further information or to refer a child who qualifies for the program please contact New Beginnings at 995-3235.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
