At Safe Inc., our mission is to provide outreach, shelter, counseling, and supportive services to youth and adults. We assist those vulnerable to—or have experienced—homelessness and/or human trafficking. Our vision is to end homelessness and trafficking by providing a safe environment for individuals to grow. Our safe shelter supports those throughout Schenectady, NY as well as Albany and the surrounding Capital Region.
Our Mission: Preventing Homelessness and Trafficking in Schenectady
The Safe Inc. Story
Since Project Safe began in 1985 and grew out of the strong community concern over excessive levels of youth sexual exploitation and human trafficking in Schenectady. The program, which was the combined effort of residents, merchants, clergy, and many others, was created to give homeless youth a way to get off the street and escape the cycle of addiction and abuse. Services include counseling, outreach and crisis intervention and are tailored to the dynamics of each individual’s life.
Since the development of Project Safe, over 8,195 youth have been served by the program, and the recidivism rate is less than 25%. The success of Project Safe can be attributed to the incredible workers in our Street Outreach Program (SOP).
Every night, you can find members of the SOP walking the streets, assisting youth, and educating the community on Safe‘s services. The SOP is designed to meet vulnerable youth right where they are and direct them to the services and programs they need. In 2023, the Street Outreach Program made initial contacts with approximately 500 youth.
Project Safe is unique because we take a holistic approach to fighting youth homelessness and helping vulnerable individuals. We understand the victimization of this population and work to break the cycle of exploitation and trafficking through intensive case management and counseling.
Project Safe’s sister component is the McIntosh House, previously called the Safe House. The McIntosh House opened its doors in 1989 and is the only certified emergency youth shelter in Schenectady County. This program offers temporary shelter to runaway, homeless and sexually exploited 16 to 20 year olds as well as 16-17 year old youth with a child.
The McIntosh House offers shelter to youths with an infant/toddler and has limited space for youth who are 16-20 years old. During their stay, clinical staff work with residents to find suitable long-term placements. The shelter is certified by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and is a 30-day residential program.