When you need a safe place to stay, Safety Net is here for you. Safety Net is Northwest Ohio’s only 24-hour emergency shelter for Runaway and Homeless Youth. We are located at 2005 Ashland Avenue.

What you need to know about Safety Net:

 

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I need a safe place to stay.

Safety Net provides temporary emergency shelter and counseling services to eligible youth, under the age of 18, who have runaway or left home without permission of their parents or guardians, have been forced to leave their home, or are street-youth or homeless youth who might otherwise end up in contact with law enforcement or in the child welfare, mental health or juvenile justice systems. Staying at Safety Net is voluntary, and the youth can choose to leave at any time. Should the youth leave without a Safe Exit plan, their parent/guardian and/or the proper authorities will be notified.

What if I need help getting to Safety Net?

We can help you arrange transportation through a variety of sources.

Can I bring my cell phone?

Yes, however, it will need to be secured with staff while in the shelter. You can have it while at school.

I am currently homeless/couch surfing. Can I still come?

Most definitely!

Will you contact my parent or guardian?

Our staff will work with your parent or guardian within 24 hours to obtain their consent to let you stay. If it is unsafe to do so we will work with the appropriate people to help keep you safe.

I have been rejected or disrespected due to my sexual orientation – will the staff be supportive?

Yes! Safety Net staff is open and accepting! We are transgender/gender nonconforming friendly. When you come to Safety Net. You will get a room in the hall of your identified gender or, if you identify as non-binary/gender nonconforming, you will get a room in the hall you are most comfortable. All Safety Net rooms are private rooms and or restrooms are all gender neutral.

It’s hard for me to trust the adults around me and I don’t know how to take care of everyone on my own.

Sometimes kids are put in difficult situations, we are here to help figure out options to help you make the best choices.

I am trading sex for food, money, and a place to stay. Do I qualify?

Yes. Safety Net is a safe space where we will help you get your needs met on your own terms!

I am not ready to leave home yet. But things are getting really bad. Can you help me?

Yes! Safety Net is staffed 24/7 and staff can help problem solve.  Our Street Outreach team can help work with you to prevent homelessness/runaway as well!

I am over the age of 18, can you help me?

Located at 2005 Ashland Avenue, Safety Net’s Street Outreach Staff will work with you to solve problems so that you may be able to secure and/or keep a stable living situation.

 

 

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Street Outreach and Drop-In Center

Located at 2005 Ashland Avenue, the drop-in center provides a variety of resources for youth ages 12-21 who may need access to:

• Hot Meal
• Access to Showers
• Access to Laundry
• Information and Access to Community Services

The drop-in center is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Please call 419-265-9256 for additional information (Mon.-Fri., between the hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.). To connect with our shelter, please call 419-206-0926 24/7.

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Resources for Concerned Adults

If you are aware of a young adult who is dealing with a difficult or disruptive situation at home, is currently homeless and/or couch-surfing – Safety Net can help. We assist youth in crisis, 24/7.

Please call us at 419-206-0926. Our staff will arrange for safe transportation to our shelter.

Additional Resources:

National Runaway Safeline 1-800-RUNAWAY

 

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Partner with us!

Donations - we welcome the community to support the needs of runaway and homeless youth in our community. Safety Net is always in need of the following items: deodorant (male and female), snacks, journals, Lysol spray, sweatpants, underwear (male and female), laundry detergent, hand sanitizer, art supplies, basketball shorts, and gift cards for outings.

To arrange for drop-off, please call the shelter at 419-206-0926.

Amazon Wish List – you can shop for items Safety Net needs and have your donation shipped directly to us.

 

Your donations make a difference in the lives of youth in our community. To make a monetary donation to Safety Net, please click here 

 

If you are interested in learning more, contact the shelter’s advisory board, [email protected].

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This website is supported by Basic Center (Safety Net) - 90CY7534,  Street Outreach Program - 90YO2503 from the Office of Family Assistance within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Family Assistance.