The Community Alliance for Youth (CAFY) is launching its SAFE HOMES program in Acton and Boxborough as part of its year long effort to help keep teens safe in our community. SAFE HOMES is a support network that asks parents of teens to sign a pledge that, when they are hosting teen parties or gatherings, they will:

• be present and visible;
• not allow the use of alcohol or drugs;
• call the parents if an incident occurs;
• contact law enforcement or seek emergency medical care, if necessary;
• and provide secure storage for firearms and other potentially hazardous items.

The High School and Junior High School distributed the SAFE HOMES brochure and pledge card to students with their report cards just before Thanksgiving.

Joining SAFE Homes is easy; parents can fill out the pre-addressed SAFE Homes pledge card and send it to CAFY or sign up online at www.cafy.net. Parents who make the pledge will be listed in the SAFE HOMES directory, which will be a public document, so that other parents in the community can feel more comfortable if they know their teens are attending a party that is hosted by parents who are participating in the SAFE HOMES program.

CAFY launched the program as part of a year-long initiative to help reduce under age drinking. The Acton-Boxborough PTSO recently published two articles, written by a CAFY board member, that provide tips about what parents should do when hosting a teen party and when their teen is going to attend a party elsewhere. Links to the PTSO articles and other resources to help parents ensure the safety of their teens are on the CAFY website at www.cafy.net.

SAFE Homes was funded by the Community Health Network Area 15 and Emerson Hospital and endorsed by the Acton-Boxborough School Committee, the High School, the Junior High, the Acton and Boxborough Police Departments and a host of other Acton and Boxborough community organizations.

We encourage parents to sign up for the SAFE HOMES program in support of the youth in our communities. For more information about SAFE HOMES, please visit the CAFY website at www.cafy.net or send an e-mail to info@cafy.net.

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