Spotlight With David Daggett: The Safe Sober Teen Center

Our Safe Sober program is about to launch into the future to create an even bigger, longer-lasting impact!  Of course, we have been an institution in the community for more than three decades, and students have come to think that Safe Sober is “Cool!” Over the years, the Safe Sober program has reached more than 600,000 students across the Triad.

 After 33 years of the Safe Sober program, I thought that we had done and seen it all, but I am delighted to inform you that I was wrong. We are about to embark on a bright new chapter of deeply impacting our young people through mentorship, positive peer pressure, and sharing the Safe Sober message. A lasting, meaningful chapter which will continue through the next decade.

Safe Sober is proud to announce a new partnership with the William G. White, Jr. YMCA. This fall the Safe Sober Teen Center by Daggett Shuler has opened, providing a safe space, enriched learning, and mentorship for teens seeking a positive influence on their lives. We are incorporating the values of both the Safe Sober program and the guiding principles of the YMCA to create a space for teens to come after school where they can do homework, hang out in a safe environment, receive mentorship, and engage in enrichment activities to set themselves up for success in their academic year.

 Many of our young people need a safe place to go after school. The bonus of a safe place is that they also stay out of trouble. The YMCA Safe Sober Teen Center by Daggett Shuler will be a freshly renovated space, built to serve the needs of the community of teens we serve! Students can come after school to have a snack, relax, study, play, and have fun all in a safe space and welcoming environment. There will be staff on duty to assist and guide the students, as well as mentors, many from Daggett Shuler, who will come in to provide leadership, guidance, and direction. 

 Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough and Police Chief William Penn believe this initiative will have a positive impact on our communities. We appreciate their encouragement and support as we have embarked on this project. They are convinced that it is initiatives like this that will keep our community safer and make it even better in the future.

Remember, it takes all of us. Won’t you please stop by and join us? You will be impressed with our young people and your encouragement and support will help them along the way. Together, we can all have a positive impact on our young people and ensure the quality of our community in the future.  Let’s launch!