PORTAGE | Children experiencing personal problems now have another place to turn to in Portage.

The Forrest L. "Dusty" Rhode Boys and Girls Club is the county's first Safe Place. The national youth outreach program has long had a presence in Lake County, and now with assistance from The Crisis Center Inc. and the Family and Youth Services Bureau of Porter County, the program has expanded its reach, Beth Claxton, director of special events for the Porter County Boys and Girls Clubs said.

As part of the program, young people considering running away from home or experiencing other personal crises can come to the club, just north of Aylesworth Elementary School at 5895 Evergreen Ave. Staff members will assist them in making a call to the Crisis Center in Lake County. The responding counselor will then assess the situation and drive the young person to an emergency shelter, if necessary.

"Becoming a Safe Place site is an important pat of providing a safe, supportive community for our children," unit director Pam Edlund-Waters said.

Set up at schools, community organization hubs, restaurants and other child-friendly places, each Safe Place location displays a bright yellow and black sign near its entrance, letting young people between of 6 and 18 know there is someone to help at the location.

"Keeping our youth safe is everyone's responsibility, and we, as a team at the Dusty Rhode Boys and Girls Club, are proud to be able to play this key role in the community," Edlund-Waters said.