Creating Safe Spaces of Healing

Creating Safe Spaces of Healing

Suicide Prevention

Joel’s Place in Fairbanks is no ordinary youth center. Designed to give creative and adventurous youth of all ages a safe energy outlet, the place boasts both indoor and outdoor activities, including a popular skate park and hot meals for hungry kids. But Joel’s Place provides more than safe activities. In partnership with the Fairbanks Wellness Coalition and thanks to a Suicide Prevention Grant from ACF made possible by GCI, Joel’s Place is proactively addressing one of the most devastating issues among Alaskan youth today – suicide. With Sources of Strength, a national best practice program, Fairbanks peer leaders and adult advisors are creating a school community that encourages adult to youth relationships, help seeking, and resilience to prevent suicide.