The Safe Haven Project will provide a wide range of academic and enrichment services to high-risk young people in grades 5 through 8 who primarily reside in Buffalo's Lower West Side District, a largely Hispanic neighborhood. The primary target population includes children with special needs, especially those who are English Language Learners. Safe Haven will serve a total of 250 youth per year, providing both after-school and summer programming.

The project will be located at the Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy, a public school currently classified through Title 1 as a School in Need of Improvement. This school's population is identified as 95% minority; 52% English Language Learners, and 43% Limited English Proficient. The poverty rate among the student population is 86.3% and the low-income rate is 96.4%. The students, then, are considered to be at great risk of academic failure.

In addition to academics, there will be a wide range of activities including computer operations, educational field trips, character education, the arts, service learning and physical activities such as ethnic dance and drill teams.

Program goals include improved academic performance in English and Spanish (listening, speaking, reading and writing), as well as in math skills. The program will also engage the families of these children by heightening parent awareness of New York State Learning Standards, by improving their ability to support their children's academic success, and by involving them actively in the school community.