5 Ways to Create Safety

Hi there,

Welcome back to our blog! This week we want to share some thoughts on the word “safe.” Feel free to chime in using the “comment” button at the bottom of this post!

The Safe Communities Task Force was created in response to a community need. Our mission: “to positively affect the youth and their families who have been impacted by violence in order to create a safe and healthy community.”

So what makes a community safe? There are many ways we can approach it. Let’s brainstorm…

• Lack of violence or fear
• Being protected from danger or risk
• Affordable housing and lifestyle options
• Neighbors who know each other
• Livable community
• Events and resources that are open to all
• Place that’s attractive to work, live or visit

Work we do with young people certainly addresses many of these needs, but we like to take it a bit further.

Here are five ways to create safety in your community.
Click the + signs on the right for an explanation of each tip.

Being Supportive

We need to be there for each other. It’s not enough to just be there when people are experiencing a crisis. We also need to be present for people when they are experiencing love and happiness. Sharing memories builds trust and trust builds safety. We are more credible to each other when we show up.

Being Consistent

If we’re being supportive, we also need to be consistent with that support. We can’t tell someone that we are there for them and want to hear about their life but the next day be in a bad mood and tell them we don’t have time. If we want to create a safe environment there has to be consistency in how we present ourselves to the community. 

Creating Ease of Access to Resources

A safe community involves people knowing where to go when they need something and what resources exist within around them. Our partnerships aim to streamline access to help when people need it. We raise awareness, provide networking opportunities and offer community members a platform to share their current efforts, projects and services.

Adopting a Strengths-Based approach

Also known as the glass-half-full perspective, it’s important we look at what we are doing right and build upon what amazing things already exist in our community. This is also true for working with youth; focus on what talents and gifts they bring to the table and not on their shortcomings. Praise them on what they are doing right and don’t just reprimand them when they slip up. Think about how good it feels when someone compliments your outfit or your work product. You can and should do the same for behavior.

Meeting People Where They Are and Not Where You Want Them To Be

This one can be tough for many people. If we are baking cookies and we don’t have chocolate chips we go out and buy some. You can’t do that with humans. Meeting people where they are means examining what they have to offer, where they are in this very moment and seeing what you can work with. We don’t get to say, “If only you had a better resume,” or “I wish you hadn’t done X, Y or Z in the past.” Instead we say, “I see you. I know you. You are valuable just the way you are.” Then we work together towards the future.

There you have it. Simple, right? Admittedly no, but that’s why we exist!

It’s slow work but it’s good work and someone has to do it. The biggest challenge we face is making sure every single member of society is touched by those five things. Regardless of gender, race, religion, economic status, you name it, we want all people in our community to feel consistently supported, have access to resources, recognized for their strengths and to be met where they are.

So what about you? What tricks do you have up your sleeve for creating safety in your community? Let us know in the comments section below.

Sending my best,

Christopher Belisle at SCTF.