Community Spotlight: Safe Haven Program at My Friend’s Place

A Safe Haven in the Heart of Hollywood/How My Friend’s Place Launches Young People on Their Journey to Wellness

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Hollywood is not only a global destination for tourists from around the world; its weather, nightlife, and promise of dreams coming true also attracts a large number of young people each year.

Sadly, for many of these young people, the reality of Hollywood is far different than its promise. When combined with backgrounds that often include abuse, neglect, and other forms of generationally-inflicted trauma, the impact of this reality too often leads youth to a life on the streets. Fortunately, My Friend’s Place (or ‘MFP’) offers welcoming faces and healing spaces to help these young people take their first steps towards wellness, stability and self-sufficiency. Those first steps begin with MFP's Safe Haven program.

In a departure from previous Community Spotlights that have profiled individuals in our community, this month’s Spotlight takes a closer look at the extraordinary collection of individuals who administer Safe Haven.

MFP, located in the heart of Hollywood, has been a cornerstone of support for young people experiencing homelessness for over 37 years. Safe Haven is a crucial component of their comprehensive services, specifically targeting young people between the ages of 12 and 24 impacted by homelessness, many of whom struggle with the significant impact of childhood trauma, including symptoms of mental health distress and substance misuse.

According to MFP’s Executive Director Heather Carmichael, Safe Haven’s primary responsibility is “rebuilding trust with young people whose trust has often been betrayed.”

As the first building block of trust, MFP’s Safe Haven program – and its staff – play an essential role in helping young people recover from trauma and rebuild their lives.

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Erin Casey, Director of Programs at MFP, describes Safe Haven as the entry point to MFP’s deeper programming, the “gateway to our secret sauce.” The gateway Safe Haven provides is critical in a young person’s recovery because of how important it is to re-establish a capacity for trust, particularly in those who’ve experienced trauma. A positive first experience after trauma, Erin explains, can help “pave the way for the template of recovery we offer.”

The rebuilding of trust starts with the Safe Haven drop-in center, where every morning at 9am youth receive everything from hot meals and hot showers, to phone and computer access, hygiene supplies, and new (or gently used) clothing. On a recent holiday morning, young people were also greeted with gift bags that had been assembled by caring volunteers. Whether it’s a holiday or just another Tuesday morning in Hollywood, Tahisha, the Safe Haven Program Manager, smiles that MFP is always “running hot” by 10am with all the activity and youthful energy buzzing in the air.

One of the many things that makes Safe Haven so special is the welcome wagon of licensed clinicians who greet the young people at MFP, offering a higher level of care right from the start. These greeters include Safe Haven counselors Amina and Cindy who lead young people through a range of services -- from housing navigation and case management to help securing documentation such as birth certificates, IDs, social security cards, and green cards. While some hand-holding can be involved with these services, their ultimate goal is to promote skill development and independence in MFP’s youth.

Another of Safe Haven’s Counselors, Mat oversees the Safe Haven shower program, which offers many of MFP’s youth their first shower in days, if not longer. Mat began his helper’s journey as a volunteer with MFP. The role brought him so much fulfillment he made a mid-life career pivot to join MFP’s staff. Along with Tahisha, Mat also oversees the clothing donations and enjoys bringing young people to Safe Haven's expansive “clothing closet” where they can pick out “two tops (shirts or blouses) and one bottom (pants, dresses or skirts).” Items like shoes and backpacks are also available by request. 

Katie Power, MFP’s Associate Director of Programs, wears many hats on the Safe Haven team. As one of the longer serving counselors, Katie alternately guides young people through their initial intake sessions and her fellow staffers through the various curveballs and crises that invariably surface every day. Katie has a soft spot for the pets who can wind up in MFP’s care.

“We know,” she says, “these animals may be victims of trauma and neglect just like their owners.”

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Regarding Katie’s concern, the Safe Haven program also includes "Dr. Lisa", a local veterinarian who offers her services pro bono for the many pets who often accompany the young people through MFP’s doors. In addition to performing check-ups on the animals, Dr. Lisa also picks up pet food and toys, according to the pets’ and their owner’s needs.

Overseeing them all is Heather, a mother hen to MFP’s youth and staff, and a fierce advocate for both. As we enter a climate fraught with fear over federal spending cuts, and deep divisions over how to approach the ongoing challenge of homelessness, Heather remains determined to “ensure that young people remain visible in a landscape that often marginalizes them.” She is equally committed to prioritizing the health and wellbeing of the staff who cares for them.

“If we as the caretakers are not doing or feeling well,” Heather explains. “We cannot deliver the level of deep healing and heart care our young people need to build their best lives.”

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MFP’s Safe Haven program is fortunate to enjoy the stewardship of Heather and the MFP staff. Their work – and its impact on the many young lives in their care – is a testament to the power of compassion, support, and MFP’s fervent belief in the potential of every young person.

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For more information about Safe Haven and all of MFP’s programming, please visit: https://www.myfriendsplace.org/

MFP’s Youth Drop-in Center:

• Location: 5850 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028
• Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30am - 2:30pm / Wednesday: 9:30am - 12:00pm
• Phone numbers: (323) 908-0011, 1-888-YOUTH-50

To volunteer with My Friend’s Place, please visit: https://www.myfriendsplace.org/volunteer