National Safe Place and Southwest Airlines to Create Hall of Fame for At-Risk Youth Advocates

LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- National Safe Place (NSP) and Southwest Airlines have joined forces to honor up to ten individuals this October who have made extraordinary contributions to better the lives of at-risk youth with its new "HEROES for Youth" Award.

NSP and Southwest Airlines are creating the award as part of Safe Place's 25th Anniversary celebration, "Building A Safety Net For Youth."

"We are a proud corporate partner of National Safe Place, and we look forward to honoring the HEROES who are devoted to the wellbeing of our youth," said Gary Kelly, CEO of Dallas-based Southwest Airlines. "We all need to band together to find ways to ensure success for our next generation, and this Award will recognize those who are leading that charge."

HEROES may include anyone who has made a broad, positive impact on the lives of at-risk youth, and will not be restricted to those affiliated with Safe Place.

"This year's honorees will establish an initial class for what we see as the Hall of Fame for advocates of youth in crisis," said NSP Executive Director Sandy Bowen. One individual will be added in each subsequent year to the initial class of HEROES.

HEROES for Youth Award winners will be selected by a committee comprised of representatives from national youth-serving organizations including America's Promise, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Network for Youth, The National Runaway Switchboard and the YMCA of the USA.

Nominations for HEROES may include those active in their career, retired or posthumous. The deadline for nominations is July 1. For more information about the award, including the online nomination form, please visit http://www.nationalsafeplace.org/heroes

The HEROES for Youth Award winners will be announced on Oct. 2 in Louisville as part of the "Building A Safety Net For Youth" national conference.

ABOUT NATIONAL SAFE PLACE

National Safe Place, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., provides training and technical assistance for youth service agencies and businesses interested in developing a Safe Place program. Safe Place sites provide access to immediate help and safety for all young people in crisis. A public-private network of more than 17,000 sites across the country extends the doors of local youth shelters by displaying the Safe Place sign. Business partners and community locations that appeal to youth -- such as fast food restaurants, convenience stores, fire stations, public buses and libraries -- connect kids looking for help with the youth service agency. In 2007, 8,263 youth received immediate help at a Safe Place site. Another 9,124 youth contacted a Safe Place site or shelter for help after learning about the program through school and community education. The Safe Place program was created by the YMCA of Greater Louisville in 1983. For additional information, visit http://www.nationalsafeplace.org/.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

The 34,000+ Employees of Southwest Airlines give generously from the heart to make a positive difference in their communities. Support of the National Safe Place HEROES for Youth Awards is part of Southwest's "Share the Spirit," which encompasses all community service and philanthropic activities at the airline. Southwest operates more than 500 Boeing 737 aircraft between 64 cities. Yearend results for 2007 marked Southwest's 35th consecutive year of profitability. Visit: http://www.southwest.com/ for more information.