Creating Safe Spaces for Teens: IPS Social Worker Expands Program

The city of Indianapolis is taking steps to reduce gun violence and create safe spaces for teenagers. Chelsea English, a social worker at Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), has launched a program called SHINE (Safety, Health, Inclusion and Nurturing Environments) that aims to provide a safe space for students outside of school hours.

English was inspired to start the program after losing three students to gun violence, including two in the past two months. She explained: "I wanted to try to prevent those situations from happening rather than just continually responding into crisis, so this was what the kids have been asking for. Their solution is that they need a safe place to be during off-school time."

SHINE is run by high school students who plan and execute events, such as tailgating parties, open-mic nights, and Valentine's Day dances. These events have drawn in crowds of up to 100 students and have been held multiple times throughout the school year.

Darrick Colon, a junior at Shortridge High School, said: "My favorite part was having everyone heard and seen and valued. We can gather in the cafeteria and have game nights and play music, and we really have fun, and, really, that's my favorite part, having fun with everyone."

English secured an IPS Changemaker grant of $5,000 to fund the program, making it free for students. Noa Kaufman-Nichols, a recent graduate and SHINE organizer, joked: "We're all teenagers, so free food brings us out."

However, gun violence is a serious issue that affects many students, including Kaufman-Nichols herself. She has known people who were killed or injured by gun violence in school and at home. She believes that programs like SHINE can make a difference: "The reality is, there's really not a lot of safe spaces in Indianapolis for teenagers that don't cost money. There's no where to go. You can go to the park. You can go out on the streets, but there's no place where you can go hang out and feel safe."

Since its launch in August 2024, IPS reports that student detention at Shortridge High School has decreased by 18%. English hopes to expand SHINE to more students and include summer programming with additional funding.