At just 13 years old, Maya found herself in a situation that no child should have to face—feeling unsafe in her own home. With growing anxiety about staying with her father due to their custody arrangements, she didn’t know where to turn. Scared and uncertain, Maya made a brave choice: she reached out to Safe Place.
When Maya called, Safe Place staff listened to her concerns and quickly assessed how to best support her. Because of custody restrictions, she wasn’t able to access emergency shelter, but that didn’t mean she had to face her situation alone. A Children’s Cabinet case manager worked closely with Maya to develop a personalized safety plan, giving her the tools to manage her anxiety and feel more secure while staying with her father.
But support didn’t stop there. Maya’s mother, recognizing the challenges they were facing as a family, agreed to additional services through The Children’s Cabinet. With case management in place, Maya was enrolled in counseling services, helping her work through her emotions in a safe, supportive environment. She also joined Redirect Athletics, a boxing program designed to build confidence and resilience in youth, giving her a healthy and empowering outlet to cope with stress.
Meanwhile, her mother also received assistance, enrolling in SNAP benefits to help ease financial burdens and participating in The Children’s Cabinet’s Adopt-a-Family program, ensuring they had the resources they needed during the holidays. With these added layers of support, the family was able to regain stability and build a stronger foundation for the future.
Thanks to Safe Place and The Children’s Cabinet, Maya no longer feels alone. She has developed the skills to advocate for herself, cope with difficult situations, and build a support system that will continue to guide her. Every young person deserves to feel safe, heard, and supported—and Safe Place is here 24/7 to make that happen.
