Riverside County Youth Commission Launches ‘Operation SafeHelp’
Operation SafeHouse needs help.
And the Riverside County Youth Commission aims to provide it.
The Youth Commission, a panel of five high school students who advise the Board of Supervisors on youth-related issues, is launching ‘Operation SafeHelp’ to provide supplies to the non-profit Operation SafeHouse , with facilities in Riverside and Thousand Palms, provides 24/7 services for runaway and “throwaway” teens.
SafeHouse provides its clients with a warm, caring environment in order to give them time and atmosphere to address their personal issues. The goal is to re-unite the kids with family as soon as possible; if that reunion is not possible or desirable, the kids are placed in a nurturing environment.
In the hope of assisting less fortunate youth within the County of Riverside, the Youth Commission has launched “Operation SafeHelp,” a supplies drive to benefit SafeHouse. The drive will run from Monday, July 13 through Friday, August 14.
The Youth Commission is requesting donations of new items such as toiletries, non-perishable food items, towels, blankets, laundry soap, paper plates, plastic eating utensils, hair brushes, clothing, and flip flop sandals (for use in the shower).
“I am so pleased that we have so many motivated and dedicated individuals on the commission this year,” says Noel Loughrin, Fourth District Youth Programs Coordinator. “The members set goals for themselves and they are doing everything they can to work towards them. With the support of the community, I am certain that this drive will be a success.”
The Operation SafeHouse supplies drive runs from Monday, July 13 through Friday, August 13 and all donations can be dropped off at Supervisor Roy Wilson’s Office in Palm Desert, 73-710 Fred Waring Drive in Palm Desert. If you have any questions you can contact Noel Loughrin, Youth Advisory Council Coordinator, at 863-8211 or email at Dist4YAC@rcbos.org.
About the Riverside County Youth Commission
The Riverside County Youth Commission is comprised of one representative from each of the County’s five districts. Each district has its own “Youth Advisory Council,” and the representative on the Commission is selected by these “YACs” In addition to identifying and communication youth issues to the Board of Supervisors, the Commission each year attempts to prioritize issues which face the youth of the County. And the top priority this year is “at risk” teens. (The Commission also plans to address the issue of homelessness.)
About Operation SafeHouse
With facilities in both Riverside and Thousand Palms, Operation SafeHouse is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the safety and well being of children in crisis. SafeHouse opened the doors to its Riverside Shelter in 1990 (and in Thousand Palms in January, 2008) and is governed by a 20-member Board of Directors. SafeHouse's two shelters are the only ones of their kind in Riverside County providing core essential services for runaway, homeless, and throwaway kids. SafeHouse provides emergency crisis intervention and support services for approximately 800 youth yearly through a structured 14-day program consisting of daily counseling sessions with a family counselor, formal secondary education, peer facilitated support groups, and a collaborative educational effort with community agencies such as Alternatives To Domestic Violence, Inland Aids Project, and The Rape Crisis Center. SafeHouse is committed to providing comprehensive support services for at-risk youth and those struggling with crisis-situations.