Beyond the Bus

For some, safety can feel like a distant hope — especially for youth facing a crisis with no place to turn. With the launch of CATA’s Safe Place program in March 2025, assistance is now just a bus ride away.

CATA is the first transit agency in Michigan — and the only Safe Place partner in the state — licensed through the National Safe Place Network to operate Safe Place®, a national outreach and prevention program for vulnerable youth. Through this designation, CATA’s vehicles and facilities serve as safe spaces for individuals under 18 experiencing crises such as abuse, neglect, violence, bullying, trafficking or stalking.

Safe Place locations are available on all CATA vehicles, at the downtown CATA Transportation Center and the Capital Area Multimodal Gateway, each marked with easily recognizable signage. 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 law enforcement and service agencies to provide support.

The impact of the program is already evident. Shortly following the launch, a young woman, visibly shaken and seeking help, approached a CATA employee at the information desk. She was facing a dangerous situation and the employee quickly reached out to the police ensuring she received support. This coordinated response demonstrates how the program can help by connecting vulnerable individuals to timely assistance.

In addition to supporting youths through the Safe Place program, CATA will continue to provide assistance to anyone, regardless of age, in need within its service area. By offering a safe and supportive environment, CATA is not only addressing urgent needs but also strengthening its mission to provide innovative solutions for the communities it serves.

Find out more at the Safe Place webpage.

Related Stories:

• CATA launches Safe Place® during National Safe Place Week
• Michigan’s 1st agency licensed as community safe place
• CATA Designated “Safe Place”

This content has been published in the 2025 Community Report.  

Across Lansing’s south side, Little Dreamers Early Learning Center and the region’s public transit system is helping families, educators and children thrive. Whether by eliminating barriers to work and childcare, or by fostering a sense of belonging, CATA and Little Dreamers show how transportation and education can come together to strengthen community in every sense of the word.

Jacqueline Taylor grew Little Dreamers from a small home-based childcare program into a thriving early learning center. With support from CATA’s reliable transportation, her vision shows how public services and passionate leaders build impactful relationships. 

Maria Robertson, Program Director at Little Dreamers, helps bring the center’s mission to life. With CATA providing vital transportation for the community, they build a strong foundation that connects the people they serve. 

Heriberto Mora, a CATA driver and proud parent at Little Dreamers, knows his son is in a caring, trusted environment. Behind the wheel, Mora provides trusted transportation for others to get to work and to places like Little Dreamers.

Julian Angel Ramirez, an assistant teacher at Little Dreamers, relies on CATA to get to work and support the families he serves. His story highlights how CATA does more than provide transportation — it strengthens connections.

When Zacharia Richardson moved to Lansing, Little Dreamers became her community and CATA her lifeline. Reliable, stroller friendly transit from CATA helped her reach school and childcare and achieve a sense of independence.

This content has been published in the 2025 Community Report.  

Once a proud landmark, Walter French Junior High School stood at the corner of Mt. Hope Avenue and Cedar Street in south Lansing, its towering presence a symbol of education and community from 1925 until its closure in 1981. For decades, thousands of students passed through its halls, but after the school’s closure, the building became a shadow of its former self ultimately being left vacant and in disrepair.

Today, that once-crumbling relic is thriving again, thanks to the vision and determination of the Capital Area Housing Partnership. Along with its partners, CAHP has saved the historic structure and given it new life as The Residences at Walter French. With 70 apartments surrounded by modern amenities and supportive services, the revitalized space is now home to a diverse group of residents, from families with children to seniors.

A new era for Walter French

Emma Henry, Executive Director of CAHP, remembers when her organization acquired the building in 2017 with a bold plan to transform it into a vibrant community. Visitors stepping inside the beautifully restored building experience a blend of history and the energy of a modern community where residents engage with one another and form lasting connections.

“The transformation of this project has really made an impact on this corner of the community,” said Henry. “We’ve seen this building go from a dilapidated, vacant property that attracted blight and bad actors to a place where there is life and families are able to enjoy [it]. All of the challenges have been worth it to see the individuals that live here thriving.”

Partnerships that make a difference

It wasn’t just about renovating a building — it took partners to make the vision a reality. One of the vital collaborators was CATA. In addition to providing bus passes and route maps for residents, CATA replaced two bus stops with covered shelters, ensuring that residents can comfortably wait for their bus.

“Seeing these mission driven community assets come together to say we care about the people that live in your building, and we want to make sure that they have a successful transition, that has been really amazing to see,” she noted. “As they say, it takes a village, and it does.”

Transit access: A key to independence

Henry says the CATA bus system is one of the most valuable amenities available to residents. “Public transit empowers our residents to live their daily life. Housing and public transit go hand-in-hand, and public transportation provides a support system and a foundation for individuals that live in our communities.”

One resident, Robert Anselmo, says the opportunity to move into an apartment at The Residences has changed his life. Easy access to the CATA bus system is a bonus. With two stops just outside the doors of his new home, Anselmo says CATA connects him and his fellow residents to the broader community.

“It allows people to get to where they need to go, whether it’s a doctor’s appointment or Dollar Tree down the street,” Anselmo said. “It’s very convenient and it’s become easier to use with the phone.” Anselmo uses the Transit app to track buses in real-time. “It’s incredibly useful. I can plan ahead and know exactly when I need to be at the stop.”

A thriving community, built to last

At The Residences at Walter French, history has not only been preserved, it’s been reimagined, bringing new opportunities for residents to live, work and play in a revitalized community. With the support of CATA and its other partners, this once-forgotten landmark has transformed into a thriving hub, where individuals can enjoy a safe, welcoming space while staying connected to all that the region has to offer.

This content has been published in the 2025 Community Report.