Safe Space believes that all children deserve to grow up healthy and safe, and we work to ensure this through early intervention. Our programs operate in high need areas of Southeast Queens, where many of our clients have nowhere else to turn for assistance. Agency clients are low-income and we understand that poverty is a primary source of the many difficulties they encounter.
The largest bases of our service operations are in Jamaica and Far Rockaway, with additional programs serving Richmond Hill, Howard Beach and the neighboring areas. These communities experience some of the highest rates of poverty, child abuse, and domestic violence in Queens. Safe Space's client demographics reflect the communities that we serve; according to a study conducted for our annual report for FY 2009, the majority of our clients are African-American (56%), and 21% are Hispanic/Latino. An estimated 69% are female, 31% are male, and 11% identify as LGBTQ. English is not the primary language for 21.6% of our clients.
Safe Space works with the city's most at-risk youth and families to prevent foster care placement, build strong families and promote self-sufficiency. Our unique and holistic services are progressive and meet the ever-changing needs of the people we work with each day. Our mission remains urgent: to protect kids, keep them safe and help them grow.
Safe Space serves more than 10,000 youths and their families throughout Queens using an integrated system of innovative programs in five areas: Mental Health, Community Health, Violence/Foster Care Prevention, At-Risk Youth and School-Based Enrichment.
