CATA Safe Place Program

A safe place for all in need

CATA is licensed through National Safe Place Network to operate Safe Place®, a national outreach and prevention program for vulnerable youth. CATA is the first transit agency and currently the only Safe Place partner in Michigan. With this designation, CATA’s vehicles and facilities will serve as safe places for individuals under the age of 18 who are experiencing crisis.

What is the Safe Place program?

The Safe Place program is a national initiative that helps youth seeking safety from situations like abuse, bullying, family problems, depression, suicidal thoughts and other crises. If you are in danger, the nearest Safe Place site can connect you with help. As a collaborative community preventon initiative, Safe Place designates businesses and organizations, such as CATA, as Safe Place locations, making healp readily available to vulnerable youth. Locations marked with the Safe Place logo offer immediate help and connect individuals with local resources.

CATA Safe Place locations

All CATA Vehicles
Downtown CATA Transportation Center (420 S. Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933)
Capital Area Multimodal Gateway (1240 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI 48823)

These locations are clearly marked with the Safe Place logo, making it easy to find help when you need it.

How it works

Individuals can board a CATA vehicle free of charge by letting the driver know they need assistance. Any CATA employee or security personnel can also respond to requests for assistance. CATA will coordinate with local authorities to provide immediate assistance and a safe location.

TXT 4 HELP

For teens in crisis, TXT 4 HELP through the Safe Place program offers a quick, confidential way to access support. Text “SAFE” followed by your current location (address, city, state) to 4HELP (44357). You’ll receive a message with the closest Safe Place site and the contact info for a local youth agency.

For immediate help, reply with 2CHAT to talk with a trained counselor via text. TXT 4 HELP is free and available 24/7. Messaging/data rates may apply.

If no Safe Place is available in your area, you will receive information on the nearest youth service organization.

Working together for a safer community

CATA has partnered with the National Safe Place Network, law enforcement and local service agencies to connect youths to resources such as Gateway Youth Services Division through Child and Family Charities. Together, we ensure that those in crisis can access immediate help and support. This partnership helps strengthen our community and ensures that no one is left without the assistance they need.

Get help now

If you're in distress, don't hesitate to ask for help. CATA is here to provide a safe, supportive environment. If you need immediate assistance or are in imminent danger, please call 911. If you are waiting for a bus to arrive and do not feel safe, wait inside a local business near a bus stop until the bus arrives.

For additional support, consider reaching out to these national hotlines:

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call 988 or text 988 National
Human Trafficking Hotline: Call 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733

In addition to supporting youths through the Safe Place program, CATA will continue to provide assistance to anyone in need of help within its service area.

CATA's adoption of the Safe Place program underscores its commitment to community safety and support for vulnerable individuals. This initiative complements existing efforts to address safety concerns and combat human trafficking through the See Say app, enabling users to anonymously report incidents. Visit our Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Campaign webpage for more information.

For general inquiries, contact CATA's Customer Experience at 517-394-1000 or info@cata.org.