IMPACT
From 01 July 2023 through 30 June 2024, Project SAGE (formerly Women’s Support Services):
Emergency shelter for 28 clients, collectively over 1400 nights of shelter
Direct Services to approximately 800 adult and youth clients
Support and advocacy for 558 victims of family violence in Criminal and Civil Court
Responses to 1,884 hotline crisis requests
Prevention education workshops that meet CT education standards in all grade 6-12 classrooms in Region 1 schools 46 workshops/trainings for adults, with attendance of over 400 people
317 prevention workshops for children and teens in local public and private schools and daycare programs
Awareness-raising materials distributed to the community via 87 Main Street Partner businesses and 16 tabling events throughout our service area.
TESTIMONIALS
5TH GRADE STUDENT EVALUATION
- Modified Shifting Boundaries Curriculum -
What are some things that you learned?
What boundaries are and how far away I want people (setting my own boundaries).
I also learned about how different genders have different boundaries based on the other gender.
Different people have different boundaries.
What to do in certain situations - different ways to intervene - while still being safe.
What are two things that surprised you?
I was surprised by the fact that there are so many things you can do to stand up for someone.
The boys stood farther apart, even though they’ve known each other as long as the girls have [i.e. the girls stood closer together on average].
That some people have the same thoughts about this as me.
Our teacher’s story from 6th grade. [She was made fun of and wished someone had intervened for her, even though it looked like she thought what was happening was funny/fine.]
What is one thing you wish we had done differently, or that you would change for next time?
Nothing, it was fun!
More activities and less sitting and listening.
“WSS is essential to building a culture of non-violence and peace. I especially support their work in schools, providing preventative education on respectful interaction and constructive problem-solving. Violence is a sad state but our skilled workers have the tools for change. Let ‘em work their magic.”
“The overwhelming incidence of domestic violence in the United States is perpetrated by males. I feel that correcting this terrible and ongoing behavior requires men to stand firmly against domestic violence and participate whenever possible to help its victims.”
“I support Project SAGE because I want to break the cycle of domestic abuse that started in my own family and help other families to do the same. I want my sons to grow up in a world that supports them in handling conflicts without violence. ”
“I got my cat Lion a little over 7 years ago when I was first getting sober. Since then, he has been an integral part of my life! When I was leaving my abusive boyfriend, I had nowhere to put him, and it eventually became his life or mine. Thanks to Project SAGE, my living situation worked out miraculously and they were able to help me board Lion until I had a stable home. We just celebrated our 7th year together. This little guy has been through a lot, and I’m lucky to have him! My counselor has always been there for me, no matter what the issue or time between appointments has been. I love having a safe place to go.”