McGruff House Program Provides Safe Haven

A McGruff House is a temporary haven for children who find themselves in a frightening or dangerous situation.  A McGruff House in the neighborhood shows someone is looking out for the children. Started in 1982 in Utah, the McGruff House program is now active in 44 states.

McGruff House participants agree to help children as they go to and from school and play in the neighborhood by

• Telephoning appropriate authorities for help
• Reassuring or assisting children who are lost or frightened
• Assisting children who have medical emergencies by contacting appropriate professionals
• Assisting children who fear becoming victims of personal crime by summoning qualified help
• Assisting children who have been victimized by crime by calling appropriate authorities
• Reporting crime and suspicious activities to law enforcement officials, providing as much information as possible
• Abiding by the restrictions and requirements of the McGruff House Network.

The McGruff House Program is a local partnership among law enforcement, schools, and community groups.  The program can also be supported by a McGruff House state program.  The National McGruff House Network operates the nationwide program, overseen by the National Crime Prevention Council and the U.S. Department of Justice. A beginning program will need a program coordinator to serve as key contact, manager, and monitor.  It will also need an active community base and a modest amount of money for registration, paper, copying, signs, etc. 

Once a partnership is in place, request a start-up kit containing step-by-step instructions for creating and maintaining a McGruff House Program.

Call 801-486-8768 for more information. The start-up kit costs $35.40.