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The
Tamar Lynn Safe Haven Program
What
is the TAMAR LYNN SAFE HAVEN program?
The Tamar Lynn Safe Haven Program is a three-part program that enhances
the safety of children living and going to school in Community School
District 3, from West 59th Street to West 125th Street. Safe Haven encourages
local merchants to offer help and protection to children who are in
trouble or afraid on the streets of the Upper West Side.
Participating
merchants who have been recruited by WCPP and parent volunteers, display
a bright yellow Safe Haven decal on their door announcing that the people
inside are ready and willing to help – to make a call to police,
or home, or simply to offer a sympathetic ear to a frightened child.
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From
a principal in an elementary school
“Thanks for bringing
the Safe Haven Program to our school…It is programs such as
yours, brought to us by committed people such as yourself …that
make a difference.” |
The
Safe Haven coordinator arranges safety workshops for children in neighborhood
public and private schools. The children range between the ages of 9
and 12, grades 4 through 6. WCPP staff members visit individual classrooms
and, with the aid of a video called "Streetsmart and Safe"
talks with students about safety issues, helps the children confront
their fears and formulate practical safety tips.
WCPP
produces and maintains a directory of all Safe Haven locations on the
West Side and sponsors safety workshops for parents on the all-important
subject of child safety. WCPP also encourages reporting of crimes against
children and advocates for children’s safety.
How did the Safe Haven Program begin?
The Tamar Lynn Safe Haven Program on the Upper West Side was started
in the 1980’s by parents of PS 75, a public school on West End Avenue
and 96th Street. In 1992 WCPP took over the program and has been coordinating
the project on Manhattan’s Upper West Side ever since.
The
program was named to honor the memory of Tamar Lynn, the first coordinator
of the program for WCPP.
Dear
"Safe Haven",
Several years ago, when my now 21 year old daughter was 16,
she and a friend were walking down the street, when they were
heckled and oogled by a group of adolescent boys. Fearing for
their safety, the two girls saw a "Safe Haven" sign
on a small grocery store on the corner of Amsterdam Ave.and
85th Street in Manhattan. They ducked inside the store,
asked to use the phone to call home, and when my husband arrived
a few minutes later, the store owner had successfully dispersed
the boys!
All
I can say is,
"thank you Safe Haven". A.M.
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What
is a SAFE HAVEN location?
A typical location is a small to medium sized store on one of the avenues:
Broadway, Amsterdam, and Columbus Avenue or larger cross streets: 72nd, 79th,
86th, 96th, 110th Streets.
How many SAFE HAVEN locations are there?
There are now about 300 SAFE HAVENs on the West Side – between West
59th Street and West 125th Street, from Riverside Drive to Central Park.
To obtain a SAFE HAVEN DIRECTORY contact WCPP by email.
How
do I find a SAFE HAVEN location?
Just look for a bright yellow SAFE HAVEN decal on the door of a participating
merchant announcing that the people inside are ready and willing to
help.
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From
the president of a Parent Association
“I want to thank you for helping to create a wonderfully
informative meeting. You have immense knowledge about keeping
children safe in New York City. We felt fortunate to listen to
your insights.” |
How
does a SAFE HAVEN help children?
Participating merchants will help a child make a call to police, or
the home, or simply offer a sympathetic ear to a frightened child.
What
is a Streetsmart and Safe Workshop?
WCPP staff members visit individual classrooms and, with the aid of
a video called "Streetsmart and Safe", talk to students about
safety issues. The workshops help children confront their fears and
concerns by sharing their experiences and formulate practical safety
tips.
Who
can participate in the program?
The Safe Haven Workshops are available to all schools in the present
Community School District 3 area. WCPP staff is available to schedule
meetings with students and/or parents.
Who
has participated in these workshops?
Among the schools that have participated are: PS 75, PS 76, PS 84, PS
87, PS 145, PS 149, PS 165, PS 191, PS 199, PS 241 Family Academy, PS 333 Manhattan
School for Children, PS 859 Special Music School of America, MS 224
Manhattan East School for Arts and Academics, 811 M, Abraham Heschel
School, Calhoun School, Cathedral School, Collegiate School, Columbia
Grammar School, Dwight School, Metropolitan Montessori School, Rodeph Sholom School,
Solomon Schechter School, School for Professional Children and Westside
Hebrew School, Trinity School, Holy Name School, Beacon Afterschool @ MS 118, Beacon Afterschool @ MS
54, Childrens Aid Society, Frederick Douglass Center Afterschool Program
and St. Matthew’s/St. Timothy’s Neighborhood Center Afterschool
Program.
Dear Annemarie,
Thank you for teaching me if I get lost where I could go. Now
I feel safer when I'm walking down the street. I'm starting to
see the Safe Haven signs all over.
Sincerely,
C.J.
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What
is a Parent Workshop like?
WCPP sponsors safety workshops for parents on the all-important subject
of child safety. The Safe Haven coordinator speaks to groups of parents
at safety committee meetings, parent association meetings, and at public
School Board meetings.
How
does the SAFE HAVEN program act as liaison between schools and police?
WCPP encourages the reporting of crimes against children and especially
encourages schools to report any and all incidents to WCPP and police.
When an incident occurs, WCPP follows up with the schools, police and
local agencies and helps the young victims and their parents navigate
the criminal justice system.
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On
behalf of the children of the school age program I would like
to
express my appreciation and gratitude for your time and effort in
presenting the Safe Haven program. I believe our youth,
which at times may be without an adult escort, need to be aware
of the options available to them, if they are in a precarious
situation. I look forward to working with you when the school
semester starts in the fall. G.C.
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How
can you get involved?
If you are a parent or school administrator who wants to schedule a
workshop, or a merchant who would like to become a SAFE HAVEN location,
just call or e-mail us.
How
do I get a list of all Safe Haven locations on the Upper West Side?
WCPP maintains a directory of all locations. For a current list of
locations near you, contact us by e-mail or
telephone.
Westside
Crime Prevention Program
893 Amsterdam Avenue
(212) 866-8603 fax: (212) 662-8393
email: mcohenwcpp@nyc.rr.com
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