Safety & safeguarding

Safety and safeguarding—our non-negotiable standard.

Serve Strong builds young people up through service. That requires clear expectations, smart planning, and consistent safeguards.

Safety promise

Safety first—so service can be strong.

Clear expectations, supervision, and incident planning make service sustainable. When people feel safe, the movement grows.

Youth protection policy

Plain language protection

Youth are supported by screened, trained adults. Events happen in public or partner-approved settings. Boundaries matter—no private unstructured one-on-one situations.

Volunteer supervision ratios

Baseline guidance

Chapters follow ratio standards tailored to the setting and partner requirements. Consistent visibility and accountable leadership keep every mission safe.

Photo & video guidelines

Respect + consent

Celebrate service without exploiting it. Capture appropriate moments, avoid sensitive details, and always follow consent-focused practices.

Background check guidance

Where applicable

Requirements vary by location and partner. Serve Strong provides screening guidance aligned to safe, responsible practices—especially for youth-facing roles.

Event risk assessment

Plan the mission. Reduce the risk.

Every event uses a short risk assessment: location, tools, transportation, weather, accessibility, supervision, and emergency contacts.

Incident response

Calm, clear, prepared.

Leaders follow a simple checklist after an incident—immediate actions, documentation, escalation, and follow-up.

Accessibility & inclusion

Service for everyone.

Chapters plan for accessible roles, respectful language, and inclusive participation so every volunteer can contribute meaningfully.

Code of conduct

Respect is non-negotiable.

Treat every person with dignity, follow leader instructions, respect partner spaces, and protect privacy. If something feels unsafe, stop and escalate.

Serve with confidence.

Every chapter leader should start with the Safety Kit before their first mission. Volunteers, mentors, and partners can review what to expect.