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(KSL News) Salt Lake County officials designated nine new "Safe Place" sites today to commemorate the first day of National Runaway and Homeless Youth Awareness Month.
Fire Station 102 in Magna is one of the newest "Safe Place" sites in Salt Lake County, one of 87 places where teens can turn for refuge and help.
There are more than 500 homeless teens in Salt Lake County each year. Volunteers of America and the Salt Lake County Division of Youth Services are working together to create a way to help these teens to become self-sufficient adults.
"These young people have been through horrendous situations, usually with adults, and they have little or no trust. So, everything we do is geared to building that trust so that they will be more open with us about what their needs are," explained Jeff St. Romain of Volunteers of America, Utah.
To create awareness for Runaway and Homeless Youth Month, homeowners are encouraged to use green light bulbs as a symbol that they are aware of the problem and want to help.
