Since its foundation by Yorktown community members in 2002, the Alliance for Safe Kids has provided resources to children and young adults on mental health, substance abuse prevention, anti-bullying, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Thanks in part to receiving a 10-year federal grant for an annual funding of $125,000 in 2008, ASK grew into a community pillar that hosted events and presentations from speakers with a variety of experiences. Their biggest event, the annual Save a Life forum, has featured a variety of speakers each year who presented to hundreds of students in the area. After the grant expired in 2018, ASK has struggled to find the funding they need to continue to operate.
“The sad end to this beautiful story is that we will not be here forever, because funding is running out. I’m trying to be positive and do the best that we can right now,” said Liz Talbert, ASK’s executive director. “We’re discussing different things with the county, [about] how to best keep the resources in the community. There are some options, but we don’t have any firm answers yet.”