Welch Avenue regulars have likely become accustomed to the black and yellow “Project Safe Place” signs at QuikTrip on the corner of Welch and Chamberlain.

The signs read: “We’ll help you get help fast.” They hang in front of the store.

Though help is widely advertised, just what would happen if a person really needed assistance?

“Don’t know,” is the common theme. Employees at the convenience store on Sunday and Monday didn’t know. Don’t ask the manager, Gus Johnson. He doesn’t know, either.

But Mike Webber, general manager of several Central Iowa QuikTrip stations does know. “Those employees should have been trained already, and I will personally take care of this matter.” He was unaware of the training procedures at the Welch Avenue store.

So what is Project Safe Place? Despite the ignorance, the program’s intentions are good.

Project Safe Place is a project designed to help teens and young adults if they are in danger. The program is meant to help if someone is being chased, has run away from home or simply has no place to go for a variety of reasons, Webber said.

The attendants at the station talk to the teens and young adults in trouble and refer them to a counseling service or a shelter.

The station has a list of phone numbers and addresses for those in need, said Tina of the Lincoln Way QuikTrip.

Ames Youth and Shelter Services is among the groups the Project Safe Place lists.

“Basically, we try to get them to call youth service, and they try to help them out,” she said.

Project Safe Place started about eight years ago in Kentucky. It has now expanded to Des Moines, Marshalltown and recently Ames.

Iowa State students think the idea has merit, but they didn’t have a lot of sympathy for its apparent lack of organization.

“The idea is a very noble one on QuikTrip’s part, but considering the fact that the employees at the Welch Avenue store are not fully aware of the Safe Place Program, then how could it be effective when someone actually needs their help?” asked Lisa Wentzel, a freshmen who lives just down the road from QuickTrip in Towers.

“That is not cool at all. If the establishment says they have a service to offer and the employees know nothing about it, then what’s the use of having it?” added Heather Sherwood, a freshmen who says she shops at the store often.

Kyle Kenkel, a sophomore, had a suggestion. “It’s a good idea and all, but they should just take the sign down because it is obviously worthless if the employees don’t know.”