Latest news with #SafePlace
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Lesley makes own personal bid to keep under threat day centre open
A customer who said she would be 'heartbroken' if a community day centre closed has made her own personal bid to keep it running. Lesley Gibson, who receives homecare from Caremark raised over £200 after doing a 24-hour silence in aid of the Caremark Redcar and Cleveland 'Safe Place' initiative. Lesley, who is a regular visit to Safe Place, decided to take action after learning that service was under threat due to rising costs related to running it. Safe Place is a not-for-profit service and even though there is funding from the local authority, with factors like an increase in the national living wage, it is starting to cost Caremark money to keep going. Safe Place is a weekly social event held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Redcar Football Club for people who would benefit from activity-led, social interaction. The aim is to provide people with an opportunity to leave their home for a few hours to meet new people and make friends. READ MORE: Two arrested and 'Class A drugs' seized after collision involving Audi and Nissan Juke closed road READ MORE: Teesside GP surgery scheme delivers an extra 35,000 appointments to patients in four clinics Lesley volunteers at Safe Place, assisting a dedicated Caremark team to put on a range of activities, including games, crafting, cookery and exercise. Caremark's therapy dogs also visit regularly, along with other creatures all great and small, including a duck called Flappy. Part of Lesley's 24-hour silent marathon happened when she was at Safe Place and so she used the Makaton sign language she has learned to communicate with staff and customers. Lesley, who lives in Redcar, said: 'Safe Place gets me out every week and I would be heartbroken if it had to close, so I just knew I had to do my own bit to help. People who know me know being silent isn't easy, but I was determined to do it and the Makaton definitely came in handy. 'I was overwhelmed by the donations made by staff and people who use Safe Place and I would like to thank everyone for their support.' Oriana Wilcox, who leads the team which deliver sessions at the Safe Place, said: 'We are thrilled that Lesley raised so much money for Safe Place. 'Her help as a volunteer is invaluable and both the staff and customers who attend Safe Place are grateful for everything she does to support the service.' For the latest Teesside news direct to your inbox every day, sign up to our free newsletter
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Midweek Update March 26 with Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota and Luke Hagen
Mar. 26—MITCHELL — Meet Coleen Hoffman and Teresa Berndt, who help make the Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota operate. They've been busy preparing for their annual Night at the Races fundraiser event, held April 4 at the Highland Conference Center in Mitchell. Additionally, the Safe Place is anticipating the opening of its new facility at the corner of North Kimball Street and East Green Drive, in northeastern Mitchell, this June. What does the Safe Place do exactly? How is it a benefit to the community? Hear from Hoffman and Berndt speak on the nonprofit's mission and how it has expanded to help more people in need.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Inside East Orange, New Jersey's safe places
EAST ORANGE, N.J. – In their thrift store in East Orange, Mark, and Joi Smith aren't in it for the money, they want to serve their community. 'You know, the Bible says God created each and every man equal,' said Mark Smith, 'so we want to make sure everyone is being treated equally.' More Local News That's one reason why The Angel Spot is officially designated by the City as a Safe Place. 'I believe that everybody should be safe and nobody should be subject to a hate crime, I don't care who you are,' said Mark Smith. They are one of more than a dozen businesses in the City -from gas stations to flower shops- to be part of an initiative to be a safe place for victims of hate crimes. 'In East Orange, we are committed to ensuring that everyone who lives here, works, or visits our City feels secure and welcome,' said Mayor Ted R. Green. Created by the Seattle Police Department in 2015, Safe Place is a national initiative that looks to address the low reporting of hate crimes, bullying, and harassment. Businesses in East Orange with this label are to help victims should they enter their store to seek help. The owners of the store agree to call 9-1-1 and allow the victim to stay on the premises until police arrive. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Cities like East Orange have to go through a rigorous application process to be recognized as being part of the program. 'We're ensuring the safety of a person who is a victim of a hate crime, a bias crime,' said East Orange Police Chief Phyllis Bindi. 'It is a big thing. They want to know we're going to actually follow through and complete what we say we're going to do.' Police say more businesses are already on their way to signing up. They hope by the end of the year to have 80% of the City's businesses on board. The program was brought to East Orange by Detective Elaine Settle, who just last week retired after 40 years of service. 'I live in the City too,' said Settle, 'so I'm concerned about how people are treated.' After four decades, she leaves on a high note, answering one last call. 'Absolutely. This was the best way to end my career.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
