The sidewalk outside the convenience store was getting cooler, even for a Texas autumn evening. Fifteen-year-old Maya pulled her thin hoodie tight around her shoulders, staring down at her phone. The battery icon flashed red—3%.
Going home wasn’t an option tonight. The shouting matches had escalated into something dangerous, and she had packed her backpack in a panic. But now, standing on a dark street corner in Wichita Falls, the reality of having nowhere to go was setting in. Fear felt like a heavy weight in her chest.
Then, she remembered something a school counselor had mentioned: Safe Place.
Maya looked up and scanned the street. Just two blocks away, she spotted it—the bright yellow, diamond-shaped Safe Place sign hanging outside a local convenience store.
Taking a deep breath, Maya walked inside and spoke to the cashier. “I need a Safe Place,” she said, her voice shaking slightly.
The employee smiled reassuringly, immediately knowing what to do. Within minutes, the store staff contacted the Teen Emergency Shelter. Staff arrived shortly after to meet Maya in a safe, quiet area of the store, offering her a warm jacket and a safe ride.
That night, Maya didn’t sleep on the street. She stayed at the Teen Emergency Shelter, a dedicated haven in Wichita Falls for youth ages 10 to 17. She got a hot meal, a clean bed, and a safe environment to process everything.
The next morning, shelter counselors didn’t judge her or lecture her. Instead, they listened. They worked with Maya to provide crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and a plan to help her family navigate the conflict safely.
Maya realized she didn’t have to run away to find peace. She just needed a Safe Place to start.
How to Get Help in Wichita Falls
If you or a teenager you know is facing a crisis, homelessness, or unsafe conditions at home, help is available 24/7.
- Look for the Yellow Sign: Any youth ages 10–17 can walk into any business or public building displaying the yellow, diamond-shaped Safe Place sign and ask for help.
- Teen Emergency Shelter: Providing immediate, safe shelter, warm meals, and crisis counseling for youth ages 10–17 in the Wichita Falls area.
- Call 940-322-7671 for