Montgomery Area Runaway Youth Services (M.A.R.Y.S.), also known as the Safe
Place Shelter, is a short-term, emergency facility for young people ages 12
through 17 who need a safe place to stay. The program is licensed by the Department
of Human Resources and is funded primarily by a grant from the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services. All age-appropriate young people are eligible
for services which include counseling, transportation, emergency medical treatment,
referral to other agencies, academic tutoring, and case planning, as well as
meals and other residential services.
Young people come to M.A.R.Y.S. in a variety
of ways. Some refer themselves through the Safe Place Program and others are
referred by various agencies such as the County Department of Human Resources,
Juvenile Court, Police and Sheriff's Departments, as well as schools and churches.
These young people come to M.A.R.Y.S. for a variety of reasons. Many are runaways,
while others have been put out of their home by a guardian or are homeless, abandoned,
abused or neglected. Some come due to problems at home that can be resolved by crisis
intervention, counseling or by a time-out or cooling-off period at the shelter.
Allegations of neglect and physical and sexual abuse are reported to the Department
of Human Resources, whose social workers investigate and take appropriate action
Life at Safe Place
Safe Place is a short-term program. Youth can stay up to 15 days in
the program and are referred by the court system, DHR or come voluntarily.
The staff seek to maintain a family atmosphere and strives to help youth learn
responsibility in a home-like environment. Basic living skills are taught and
there is an open-door policy--youth are accepted at Safe Place at any hour of
the day or night.
Workers transport youth to and from school and supervise daily routines.
They also celebrate Holidays throughout the year with the youth in their care.
Montgomery Area Runaway Youth Services (M.A.R.Y.S.), also known as the Safe
Place Shelter, is a short-term, emergency facility for young people ages 12
through 17 who need a safe place to stay. The program is licensed by the Department
of Human Resources and is funded primarily by a grant from the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services. All age-appropriate young people are eligible
for services which include counseling, transportation, emergency medical treatment,
referral to other agencies, academic tutoring, and case planning, as well as
meals and other residential services.