Creating Safety, Hope, and Healing For Our Teens
In the wake of the recent tragedy involving teens at a Winston-Salem park, our community is grieving—and asking hard questions about how something like this could happen, and how we can make sure it doesn’t happen again. At The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem, we believe the answer lies not only in responding after harm has occurred, but in stepping in early, consistently, and compassionately to prevent violence before it ever takes root.
At the Ken Carlson Red Shield Youth Center, we meet young people during one of the most critical times of day: the hours after school, when many parents are still working and too many teens are left without supervision, structure, or support. Studies and lived experience both show that these hours are when risky behaviors and conflicts are most likely to escalate. That’s why our doors are open—every day—to provide teens with a safe, welcoming, and structured environment where they are known, supported, and valued.
Our Teen Center is more than just a place to hang out. It is a community built on relationships. Here, teens find consistent adult mentors who listen without judgment, set healthy boundaries, and model respect and responsibility. They participate in positive activities, academic support, leadership development, and opportunities to serve others—experiences that help them build confidence, empathy, and a sense of belonging.
Just as importantly, we recognize that many young people are carrying heavy emotional burdens. Stress, trauma, anxiety, anger, and grief often go unspoken, yet they can strongly influence decisions in moments of conflict. Through access to mental health support and caring adults who notice when something isn’t right, teens at the Red Shield Youth Center have space to process emotions, learn healthy coping skills, and talk through problems before they explode into violence.
This is what prevention really looks like. It’s not flashy or dramatic. It’s consistent presence. It’s replacing isolation with connection. It’s trading chaos for stability. It’s helping young people learn how to pause, reflect, and choose a different path—long before a single moment changes lives forever.
But we cannot do this work alone.
Many families in our community are unaware that a safe, supportive place like the Ken Carlson Red Shield Youth Center exists for their teens. We need help spreading the word so more parents and caregivers know there is a trusted option waiting for their children—especially those who may be at the greatest risk.
We also need financial support to ensure that cost is never a barrier. As summer approaches—a time when youth are often most vulnerable due to increased unstructured hours—the demand for our programs will only grow. Every dollar invested helps keep our doors open, our programs strong, and our services accessible to every teen who needs them.
The recent tragedy reminds us all that we cannot afford to wait. Prevention happens today, in real time, through intentional care and community commitment.
Will you help us reach more young people before the next moment turns into something we can’t take back?
Please consider giving today to support the Ken Carlson Red Shield Youth Center and help us continue building safety, hope, and healing for the teens of Winston-Salem. Together, we can be part of the solution.
CLICK HERE to Donate Now