Contact Information

Location

The Raintree Village Apartments, Bedford, Virginia

Hours

During the school year:
Mon - Fri, 3:00 to 5:00 pm

Holidays and School Breaks:
Mon - Fri, 11:00 to 4:00 pm

Staff

Camille Steepleton

Debra Dobyns

Phone Number

540-586-7655

Funding

Funding for Safe Haven is provided by the City of Bedford, the United Way of Central Virginia, Kiwanis of Bedford, and the Ruritan Club of Bedford. In-kind donations are also contributed by Bedford County Public Schools.

Safe Haven, a Safe Place for Children

Children of Youth Services

Safe Haven is a youth program in the Raintree Village Apartment Complex in Bedford, Virginia. It is housed in a double-wide mobile classroom on the grounds of the subsidized apartment complex and targets at-risk youth ages 5 to 18. Safe Haven operates under the direction of the Historic Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross. It provides the youth who live at Raintree and the surrounding community with a place to study and spend time each day.

When school is in session, youth arrive at Raintree after school where they receive mentoring, study assistance, a nutritional snack and nurturing guidance from the staff. Computers line one wall of the mobile classroom, with Internet access, to aid students in completing school assignments. During summer months and holiday breaks, Safe Haven is open for extended hours and two meals are provided.

  • Mission
  • Goals
  • Activities
  • Events

To support the growth and development of boys and girls ages five to eighteen in a safe environment that promotes academic achievement.

  • To provide mentoring and tutoring to at-risk students.
  • To provide nutritious snacks and meals that enhance the child's mental and physical development.
  • To provide opportunities for social awareness and community service.
  • To provide supervised activities that encourage each child's growth and development as a good citizen, good student, and productive adult.
  • Students have the assistance of computers with Internet access, mentors and tutors to complete homework assignments.
  • Weekly trips to Bedford Area YMCA for swimming/fitness.
  • Monthly birthday recognitions.
  • Arts and crafts projects.
  • Cooking/food preparation activities.
  • School supplies provided as needed.
  • Community service projects such as Make a Difference Day, Youth Day of Caring, and "We Care" Packages for senior citizens/disabled adults.
  • Quarterly recreational/educational field trips
Safe Haven youth participate in recreational/educational trips, special events such as Healthy Kids Day and the Youth Fishing Clinic, and local fitness activities at the Bedford Area YMCA. The youth of Safe Haven also perform community service activities for Make a Difference Day, the Youth Day of Caring, and other events that benefit senior and disabled citizens in the community.
  • Guest speakers will visit Safe Haven six times per year to provide activities for children and adults. Topics for 2007 will include personal safety, fire safety, nutrition/cooking, music, and self-defense.
  • Safe Haven children will receive multicultural books for a lending library through "Read Around the World"
  • Safe Haven participants will attend the Youth Fishing Clinic at Smith Mountain Lake State Park in June