Friends of Hastings Youth Council Seeks Community Input for Name of New Safe Rides Van
Friends of Hastings Youth Council Seeks Community Input for Name of New Safe Rides Van
Residents have until April 1st to suggest a name for the van
by Janine Annett
Hastings-on-Hudson — William Shakespeare once asked, “What’s in a name?” Now, Hastings residents have a shot at making a lasting impact on the community by naming the new Safe Rides van.
The Friends of the Hastings-on-Hudson Youth Council is sponsoring the naming contest to benefit the Hastings Youth Council Safe Rides Program. The contest gives Hastings residents until April 1st to come up with a one-of-a-kind name for the new van, a white hybrid Chrysler Pacifica. Anyone interested in suggesting a name can fill out this online form. The Friends of the Hastings Youth Council will pick their five favorite naming options and ask the Hastings community to vote for the winner in May 2024 (the Friends of the Hastings-on-Hudson Youth Council retains the right to reject unsuitable names). The winning name will be displayed on the side of the van.
Safe Rides provides Hastings teens with free and safe transportation between 10 PM - 1 AM on Friday and Saturday nights. Safe Rides is a confidential, no-judgment zone. Teens who need a ride during the hours of operation can call 914-478-2471.
According to Jennifer Altman, the Chair of the Friends of the Hastings Youth Council, two members of the Friends of the Hastings Youth Council, David Weinstein and Morgan Ratcliffe, came up with the idea of a contest to name the new van. They were inspired by a contest that a British government agency held to name a polar research ship (the result was “Boaty McBoatface”).
Altman said a new van was needed after the previous Safe Rides van, which had been donated to the program and used for about 15 years, ceased to be operational. “An anonymous donor gave us a very large gift” around 15-20 years ago, which was used to help fund the new van, along with other existing funds, said Altman.
Safe Rides serves about 30-35 teens in Hastings every weekend, picking up teens within the village and driving them to their Hastings homes safely. The program has been around for about 40 years and grew out of efforts to manage alcohol and substance abuse in the community. The Safe Rides van is driven by a paid staff member and funded through a Friends of the Hastings Youth Council grant. Altman also said that local businesses often sponsor the Safe Rides program. The businesses have their names displayed in the Community Center window and are given stickers to put in their places of business.
The previous Safe Rides van did not have a name.
The Friends of the Hastings Youth Council works in partnership with the Hastings Youth Council and Hastings Youth Advocate Program, raising funds to support these programs. Anyone who wants to learn more about the Friends of the Hastings Youth Council can visit their website at https://www.friendsofhyc.com/ or email FriendsofHYC@gmail.com.
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