Phoenix (March 14, 2016) The celebration for the  Valley Metro Rail  19th avenue extension March 19 will highlight even more than improved access to school, work and entertainment for commuters and neighborhoods.  It also opens more lifelines for youth in crisis as each of the three new stations have Safe Place emergency call boxes.

Safe Place is a National program to help runaway and other in-crisis youth 17 and younger. “By using the highly visible call boxes, young people can get off the street quickly and find shelter, clothing, food, counseling and family reunification services from Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development, said Tumbleweed Chief Executive Officer Cynthia Schuler.  “Valley Metro Rail is one of the few rail systems in the country that hosts Safe Place call boxes,” she said.  “Their partnership speaks volumes about Valley Metro’s commitment to our community and to our most vulnerable young people

 

“Last year nearly 130 youth were rescued by Tumbleweed Safe Place workers, according to Schuler. Using the Safe Place call box at any Valley Metro Rail station or any of the hundreds of Quik Trip stores a young person can get off the street and into safety right away, adds Schuler.

 

Valley Metro Rail will celebrate the opening of the Northwest Extension on March 19 in a ceremony at Dunlap and 19 Ave. Tumbleweed Safe Place representatives will be on hand to give out information and talk to people about the program.

Tumbleweed values our partnership with Valley Metro Rail and we thank them for including us in this celebration as they extend new Safe Place locations along the rail system to the Northwest Valley.

Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development is a private, nonprofit agency providing emergency shelter and services for runaway and homeless youth in the Valley since 1975.

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