Fifteen-year-old Alex reached out to our Safe Place hotline one afternoon this summer. He was calling from Wild Island Coconut Bowl, trying to disappear into the noise of the arcade while his world felt like it was falling apart. After a confrontation at home and fear that things would only get worse, Alex was moments away from running away.
Our Safe Place case manager immediately met him where he was. When they arrived, Alex was scared, overwhelmed, and convinced he had nowhere safe to turn. With patience and calm guidance, we helped Alex de-escalate, breathe, and discuss what had led him to this moment, including the stress and fear surrounding a shoplifting incident that had occurred the day before.
Instead of facing his struggles alone, Alex was surrounded by support. Together, we connected with his school counselor, county services, and trusted friends to help him feel protected. That same evening, we brought Alex, his mom, and his stepdad together to create a family safety plan, one that honored everyone’s emotions while focusing on healing, communication, and safety.
Over the next few months, the family committed to rebuilding trust. Alex participated in counseling and anger management groups, completed his community service through a partnership with a local athletics program, and began to understand his choices and his worth. His parents joined parenting classes and worked on strengthening their communication as well.
Slowly, the home that once felt unsafe transformed into a place of understanding, structure, and connection.
By the time services ended, Alex didn’t just feel stable, he felt hopeful. He even asked how he could give back, offering to volunteer as a Youth Ambassador to help other young people navigate fear, conflict, or uncertainty.
Alex and his family expressed deep gratitude for the support they received. His journey is a powerful reminder that with the right intervention, the right tools, and people who genuinely care, a moment of crisis can become the beginning of a brand-new chapter.
