PRESS RELEASE: Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Designated a ‘Safe Place’ for Local Youth

Media Contact: Regina Hardter
(703) 746-5662
communications@alexandriaanimals.org

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Designated a ‘Safe Place’ for Local Youth

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Feb. 25, 2021) — A major goal of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is to be a resource to its community, which is why it has been dedicated as a “Safe Place” by the City of Alexandria.

The function of this citywide program, which can be found in various forms across the country, is to provide a network of locations where youth in crisis can request and receive immediate assistance.  These locations, including community centers, police and fire stations, libraries and more, are denoted by the yellow diamond-shaped “Safe Place” sign, letting individuals in need know that they can serve as a haven while that youth is connected with organizations that can support them.

All AWLA staff have completed training to assist juveniles seeking a “Safe Place,” and the yellow “Safe Place” sign has been placed on the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter building to help interested parties know of this designation.

“Just as animal welfare is an important part of a safe, vibrant community, so too is the welfare of our children,” said AWLA Executive Director Stella Hanly.  “Whether people are reaching out to us with a question about animals or they have a crisis and are in need of assistance, we are here to help provide the support they need.”

^{Above: The diamond-shaped yellow sign designates that the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is considered a ‘Safe Place’ for youth in crisis.  Photo courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.}

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About the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

Celebrating 75 years as a community resource, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is a local 501(c)(3) organization that operates the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, Alexandria’s only open-access animal shelter. In response to the global pandemic, the AWLA has initiated a scheduled adoption process that has seen adoption of hundreds of pets and has expanded programs to offer more than 40,000 pounds of donated pet supplies across the region. They also have launched a virtual event series for children and adults and offer assistance to Alexandrians with questions about wildlife and animals in the community.  More information can be found at AlexandriaAnimals.org.