History

What are Safe Places?

Safe Places are generally open from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on school days, some weekends and holiday/vacation periods. Hours for each site vary, so be sure to call the Safe Place in your neighborhood, or ask your Community Partner about hours for the Safe Place near your home. Safe Places are housed in public schools, youth-serving agencies, churches and community organizations. 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CLCs) are Safe Places in specific MPS elementary, middle and high schools that specialize in student achievement, and positive youth, family and neighborhood development. Safe Places offer recreation, homework help, cultural and art activities, personal and leadership development, mentoring and conflict resolution. Safe Places are a great neighborhood resource, and a great place for youth to start building strong futures.

Safe Places - Standards of Excellence

Safe Places are held to five Standards of
Excellence, which include the following:

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

In addition to providing a safe and inviting environment
for youth to do their homework, staff also identify children
who need help with school work and encourage parents
to participate in their child’s education.

INTERVENTION

Comprehensive intervention, such as in-depth family
counseling, ATODA, vocational training, transitional living
and more are provided to change inappropriate behaviors,
preserve families and help youth transition into group activities.

PERSONAL & INTERPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Youth are given the opportunity to develop and practice
social skills like making choices and resisting
negative peer pressure. Recreation provides physical
activities while teaching team and peace-building skills

COLLABORATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT
& COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Safe Place staff work with law enforcement officers and
their neighborhood’s Community Partner to share information
and promote positive interaction to help improve the neighborhood.

OPERATIONAL STANDARDS
At each Safe Place site, the staff to child ratio must not
exceed 16 to 1. Children are supervised at all times.

   To learn more about any of these programs please contact
   Program Manager Norma Balentine at
nbalentine@milwaukeehidta.org

Safe & Sound 2007 Funded Safe Places

Agape Community Center
Boys & Girls Club Daniels-Mardak Club
Boys & Girls Club Don & Sallie Davis Club
Boys & Girls Club Fitzsimonds Club
Boys & Girls Club @ Grand Avenue School CLC
Boys & Girls Club Hillside Club
Boys & Girls Club @ Marshall High School CLC
Boys & Girls Club Mary Ryan Club
Boys & Girls Club @ Walker School CLC
COA Youth & Family Goldin Center
COA Youth & Family Riverwest Center
Hmong American Friendship Association
Journey House
Latino Community Center
Latino Community Center @ South Division CLC
Mercy Memorial Church
Maasai Institute
Milwaukee Christian Center @ Kosciuszko Park
Milwaukee LGBT Community Center
Neighborhood House
New Beginnings Are Possible
New Concept Self Development Center @ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center
Next Door Foundation
Northcott Neighborhood House
Northcott Neighborhood House @ Keefe Avenue School
Pearls for Teen Girls
Running Rebels Community Organization
Silver Spring Neighborhood Center @ Muir Middle School CLC
Silver Spring Neighborhood Center
United Community Center
YMCA Holton Youth Center
YMCA John C. Cudahy Branch
YMCA Northside Branch
YMCA Parklawn Branch