EOC: Media Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 8, 2011

EOC’s Sanctuary and Youth Services Celebrates National Safe Place Week

- Weeklong celebration brings awareness to runaway and homeless youth -

(Fresno, CA) - Each year, approximately 2.8 million youth run away from their homes. In the City of Fresno alone, law enforcement data identifies nearly 5,192 youth as runaways. To bring awareness to the issues facing runaway and homeless youth, congress has designated March 20 – 26 as “National Safe Place Week”. Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission’s (EOC) Sanctuary and Youth Services will join in this national recognition and honor local businesses, community organizations, youth service agencies, and volunteers that are part of the Safe Place program and work for the safety and well–being of Fresno’s youth.

Tuesday, March 15 & Thursday, March 17
To kickoff National Safe Place Week, Fresno County Board of Supervisors and Fresno City Council will present proclamations to Sanctuary and Youth Services on March 15 and 17, respectively. The City of Fresno has been a long–standing partner with Sanctuary and Youth Services and offers designated Safe Place sites through its police department, parks, community centers, and transit system. Accepting the proclamations will be former homeless and runaway youth who are now residents of EOC’s Transitional Living Centers.

Wednesday, March 23
During its Annual Safe Place Recognition Luncheon on March 23, Sanctuary and Youth Services will honor local businesses that are designated Safe Place sites and have opened the doors to youth in need. Volunteers, like Scott Bennet, will also be honored for their outstanding commitment to youth and the Safe Place program. Mr. Bennet will be presented with National Safe Place’s Helping Hands Outstanding Volunteer Award for his extraordinary dedication to the Safe Place program and the youth served. The luncheon takes place at noon at EOC’s Sanctuary Drop-In Center located at 2336 Calaveras in Downtown Fresno.

Thursday, March 24
On March 24, Neighborhood Thrift Store, located at 353 E. Olive in Fresno’s Tower District, will be designated as a Safe Place site and Drop-In Center for homeless and runaway youth. The dedication festivities begin at 4:00 p.m. “Becoming a Safe Place site and Drop-In Center takes us back to one of the original reasons why we started our store. We want to be an asset to our community," says Garth Richards, Project Manager at Neighborhood Thrift Store.

Friday, March 25 & Saturday, March 26
The weeklong celebration will conclude with two community block parties and resource fairs. Sanctuary and Youth Services, in partnership with Fresno Barrios Unidos and West Fresno Boys and Girls Clubs, will host block parties Friday, March 25, between 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at EOC’s Sanctuary located at 2336 Calaveras; and Saturday, March 26, between 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at West Fresno Boys and Girls Club located at 930 Tulare Street.

Safe Place – a national outreach program that educates 11 – 17 year olds about the dangers of running away or trying to resolve difficult, threatening situations on their own – was established by EOC in 1999. There are 260 local Safe Place sites that are marked by a yellow and black “Safe Place” sign and include Fresno Area Express (FAX buses), Fresno Unified School District schools, Wal-Mart, Circle K, Boys and Girls Clubs, City of Fresno parks and community centers, and other youth friendly sites.

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CONTACT

Yahaira García-Perea
559.263.1024
yahaira.garcia-perea@fresnoeoc.org

About EOC

Our Mission
To humanely focus all available resources to empower low-income families and individuals working toward the skills, knowledge and motivation for self-sufficiency.

About EOC
Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission, known as EOC, was established in 1965 with the goal of obtaining equality of opportunity in education, employment, health and living conditions for those in need in Fresno County. We are widely recognized and are one of the largest nonprofit Community Action Agencies in the United States.

EOC has spent over four decades investing in people, helping them become self-sufficient. The scope of service provided by our Agency consists of almost all facets of human services and economic development. They range from pre-school education to vocational training; from juvenile and drug abuse counseling to treatment for serious juvenile offenders; from youth recreation to senior citizen hot meal services; from energy conservation education to crisis intervention; from preventive health care to prenatal nutrition education; and from vocational counseling to job placement services.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2011 EOC’s Sanctuary and Youth Services Celebrates National Safe Place Week - Weeklong celebration brings awareness to runaway and homeless youth - (Fresno, CA) - Each year, approximately 2.8 million youth run away from their homes. In the City of Fresno alone, law enforcement data identifies nearly 5,192 youth as runaways. To bring awareness to the issues facing runaway and homeless youth, congress has designated March 20 – 26 as “National Safe Place Week”. Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission’s (EOC) Sanctuary and Youth Services will join in this national recognition and honor local businesses, community organizations, youth service agencies, and volunteers that are part of the Safe Place program and work for the safety and well–being of Fresno’s youth. Tuesday, March 15 & Thursday, March 17 To kickoff National Safe Place Week, Fresno County Board of Supervisors and Fresno City Council will present proclamations to Sanctuary and Youth Services on March 15 and 17, respectively. The City of Fresno has been a long–standing partner with Sanctuary and Youth Services and offers designated Safe Place sites through its police department, parks, community centers, and transit system. Accepting the proclamations will be former homeless and runaway youth who are now residents of EOC’s Transitional Living Centers. Wednesday, March 23 During its Annual Safe Place Recognition Luncheon on March 23, Sanctuary and Youth Services will honor local businesses that are designated Safe Place sites and have opened the doors to youth in need. Volunteers, like Scott Bennet, will also be honored for their outstanding commitment to youth and the Safe Place program. Mr. Bennet will be presented with National Safe Place’s Helping Hands Outstanding Volunteer Award for his extraordinary dedication to the Safe Place program and the youth served. The luncheon takes place at noon at EOC’s Sanctuary Drop-In Center located at 2336 Calaveras in Downtown Fresno. Thursday, March 24 On March 24, Neighborhood Thrift Store, located at 353 E. Olive in Fresno’s Tower District, will be designated as a Safe Place site and Drop-In Center for homeless and runaway youth. The dedication festivities begin at 4:00 p.m. “Becoming a Safe Place site and Drop-In Center takes us back to one of the original reasons why we started our store. We want to be an asset to our community," says Garth Richards, Project Manager at Neighborhood Thrift Store. Friday, March 25 & Saturday, March 26 The weeklong celebration will conclude with two community block parties and resource fairs. Sanctuary and Youth Services, in partnership with Fresno Barrios Unidos and West Fresno Boys and Girls Clubs, will host block parties Friday, March 25, between 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at EOC’s Sanctuary located at 2336 Calaveras; and Saturday, March 26, between 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at West Fresno Boys and Girls Club located at 930 Tulare Street. Safe Place – a national outreach program that educates 11 – 17 year olds about the dangers of running away or trying to resolve difficult, threatening situations on their own – was established by EOC in 1999. There are 260 local Safe Place sites that are marked by a yellow and black “Safe Place” sign and include Fresno Area Express (FAX buses), Fresno Unified School District schools, Wal-Mart, Circle K, Boys and Girls Clubs, City of Fresno parks and community centers, and other youth friendly sites. ### CONTACT Yahaira García-Perea 559.263.1024 yahaira.garcia-perea@fresnoeoc.org	About EOC Our Mission To humanely focus all available resources to empower low-income families and individuals working toward the skills, knowledge and motivation for self-sufficiency. About EOC Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission, known as EOC, was established in 1965 with the goal of obtaining equality of opportunity in education, employment, health and living conditions for those in need in Fresno County. We are widely recognized and are one of the largest nonprofit Community Action Agencies in the United States. EOC has spent over four decades investing in people, helping them become self-sufficient. The scope of service provided by our Agency consists of almost all facets of human services and economic development. They range from pre-school education to vocational training; from juvenile and drug abuse counseling to treatment for serious juvenile offenders; from youth recreation to senior citizen hot meal services; from energy conservation education to crisis intervention; from preventive health care to prenatal nutrition education; and from vocational counseling to job placement services.
1920 Mariposa Mall, Suite 300 Fresno, CA 93721 559 263-1000 www.fresnoeoc.org