2025 fall Volunteer Certification Training
Are you interested in supporting the important and life changing work of Project SAGE? Now is the perfect time to become a volunteer!
Are you interested in supporting the important and life changing work of Project SAGE? Now is the perfect time to become a volunteer!
Join Project SAGE for our 2025 Fall Volunteer Certification Training over 6 consecutive Thursdays, October 16 to November 20, 2025 from 3pm-5pm. Trainings take place at the Scoville Library (or remotely on zoom) located at 38 Main Street in Salisbury, CT. Sign up before October 9, 2025 to join this year’s spring training.
Sign up today!
August 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
A Special Roundup for the Year of Digital Safety. Check out these curated resources for a deeper understanding of digital violence.
ARTICLE: Start the Conversation, Build Trust, and Empower Your Child to Stay Safe Online
Sextortion is one of the fastest-growing forms of child sexual exploitation — yet many young people and adults are not aware of the threat it poses. More importantly, adults often do not know how to protect kids from the threats of sextortion. This article shows parents how to keep their kids safer.
ARTICLE: Teens regularly chat with AI companions, survey finds
Nearly three in four teens have used AI companions, and half use them regularly. This may surprise parents familiar with AI chatbot products like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini but who haven't heard about platforms that specifically allow users to form friendships and romantic relationships with so-called AI companions. Learn more about how and why teens use AI companions here.
TEACHERS’ GUIDE: Teachers' Essential Guide to Cybersecurity
Most educators don't spend their days thinking about cybersecurity, but as technology evolves and continues to become more integrated into every aspect of our lives—including mental health and biometrics—and cybercrime increases and sometimes targets schools, cybersecurity is something we need to be mindful about and help students understand. This FAQ-style guide will help answer the important questions educators and parents have about cybersecurity.
VIDEO GAME: Unlock You! [2 Player Obby]
Next Gen Men and Equimundo have teamed up to create Unlock You - a Roblox experience that challenges your child’s gaming skills while exploring what it really means to be yourself. Designed specifically with boys in mind but suitable for everyone, Unlock You combines engaging challenges with meaningful conversations woven seamlessly into gameplay. Players navigate through immersive worlds while unlocking insights about identity, friendship, and personal growth. The experience combines gaming excitement with opportunities for real reflection and connection, reaching young people through a medium they already love and understand. Play here.
August 2025 Resource Roundup
Curated resources to help you be informed about the work and advocacy of Project SAGE.
WEB PAGE: Here Are Tips & Resources For Keeping Your Youth Safe.
Exploitation of a child does not typically begin with a dramatic moment like a kidnapping but through a process of grooming that gradually crosses more and more boundaries. Sometimes grooming starts online, sometimes it’s in real life, and often, it’s perpetårated by someone whom the child has grown to trust. Even if the perpetrator technically started as a stranger, the child likely doesn’t see them as a stranger by the time exploitation starts. This collection of resources from Love 146 is designed to help parents and caregivers keep their kids safer from exploitation.
FREE TICKETS: Transmutation: A Ceremony (Live in NYC)
See Transmutation LIVE in NYC! Transmutation: A Ceremony is a powerful theater project born from the stories and experiences of four incredible storytellers: Samantha Jo Dato, Ebony Ava Harper, Alexandra Magallon, and Sydney Rogers. Join people who care deeply about creating a safer and more just world for all children by being part of this unforgettable experience.
Date: October 10-11, 2025
Location: Judson Memorial Church, Greenwich Village, New York City
Time: Friday, October 10 (7-9pm) and Saturday, October 11 (5-7pm)
To secure your FREE tickets, please visit: tinyurl.com/TRANSMUTATIONNYC
ARTICLE: Hope for Freedom Starts with a Plan
In honor of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Polaris is sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how National Human Trafficking Hotline advocates help survivors think through every detail of their next steps, from whether it’s safe to walk out the door to what they need to rebuild after leaving. Read all about it here. Interested in helping staff Project SAGE’s Hotline? Email lindac@project-sage for details.
PODCAST: Could You Son Be Struggling With Loneliness In Silence?
One in seven men say they have no close friends, and only half say they are satisfied with their friendships. This loneliness epidemic among men trickles down to boys as well, with the US Surgeon General noting that loneliness increases feelings of depression and anxiety and is more dangerous to overall health than smoking cigarettes. This All Pro Dads podcast explores the dynamics behind the loneliness epidemic and shares tips for helping your kids build healthy friendships.
PODCAST: How Liberals Fail Young Men And What We Get Wrong About The Manosphere
California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to address a growing issue in his state—the alarming rise in suicides and disconnection among boys and young men. The order directs a coordinated statewide response to improve mental health outcomes, reduce stigma, and expand access to meaningful education, work, and mentorship opportunities. Listen to the governor discuss the problem and possible solutions here.
VIDEO: Outsmart Manipulators and Covert Narcissists
If you’re in a relationship with a manipulator, they could be playing a long game that slowly unfolds – maybe over decades – until the moment you realize that you are in an unhealthy relationship. This video makes it easy to understand the tactics that a manipulator may use to control you (charm, rage, envy, entitlement, and pity – CREEP) and how to counter each tactic.
The 2026 Project SAGE Annual Guide is Growing
Every year, we share information about Project SAGE, highlight local businesses, and celebrate our signature event, Trade Secrets. The guide reaches thousands of readers.
Our Annual Guide is more than a publication — it’s a resource for our community. Every year, we share information about Project SAGE, highlight local businesses, and celebrate our signature event, Trade Secrets. The guide reaches thousands of readers across the region and beyond, while building awareness and strengthening connections.
Next year’s guide will feature:
Domestic Violence Resources — empowering our community to help prevent violence.
Community Highlights — places to go, things to do, and local gems worth exploring.
Trade Secrets Features — celebrating our premier rare plants and garden antiques event with a behind-the-scenes peek.
By becoming a sponsor or placing an ad, you’ll share your business with thousands of readers while directly supporting Project SAGE’s work to build a safer, stronger community.
Deadline to participate: November 1, 2025
Sponsorships: $1,500–$6,000
Ads: $300–$800
Contact: info@project-sage.org | (860) 364-1080
Let’s Build a Safer Community Together.
Celebrating National Be Kind to Humankind Week
Established in 1988, National Be Kind to Humankind Week is observed in the last week of August to encourage and celebrate kindness among people.
Established in 1988, National Be Kind to Humankind Week is observed in the last week of August to encourage and celebrate kindness among people. According to founder Lorraine Jara, “People need people; it’s as simple as that. In order to have the power to make the world a better place, we must first change our attitudes for the better.”
This year, Be Kind to Humankind Week is celebrated from Monday, August 25 through Sunday, August 31. Each day has a specific theme designed to help people focus their efforts on behalf of others:
Motorist Consideration Monday
Touch a Heart Tuesday
Willing to Lend a Hand Wednesday
Thoughtful Thursday
Forgive Your Foe Friday
Speak Nice Words Saturday
Sacrifice Our Wants for Others’ Needs Sunday
You can learn more about each day and find suggestions for how to spread a little kindness in and around your community here. Want to spread the word? Use #BeKindToHumankind or #BK2HK on social media.
July 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
A Special Roundup for the Year of Digital Safety. Check out these curated resources for a deeper understanding of digital violence.
ARTICLE: The Family Online Safety Institute Welcomes Nex Playground as Its Newest Member
Nex Playground, an active play system that gets families moving year-round, will become the newest member of the Family Online Safety Institute, advancing a shared commitment to safer, more connected digital experiences for families. Nex joins FOSI’s global community with a fresh approach to online safety, emphasizing healthy digital habits, physical activity, and positive online experiences for families. Nex Playground aims to approach online safety by emphasizing healthy digital habits, physical activity, and positive online experiences for families and promote safer, healthier screen time and shared play.
SURVEY: Online Harassment and Abuse Survey
We are sharing an anonymous 5-minute survey from the National Domestic Violence Hotline (in partnership with the National Hotline Consortium) to capture experiences of technology-facilitated abuse—online stalking, harassment, or non-consensual image sharing. Your input will help all of us advocate for better policies and strengthen support for survivors. This survey is completely anonymous. Your name and other identifying information will not be collected.Take the survey here.
FREE WEBINAR: Join Culture Reframed on July 31 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET for a Free Live Webinar, "Keeping Tech in Check"
How can parents and caregivers help young people thrive in an online world? The key is understanding the risks and establishing healthy digital habits from the start.
This conversation with digital wellness experts, Julia Storm and Adrienne Principe will highlight the role of screens on the social and emotional well-being of young people. And offer guidance for how to help kids make healthy digital choices, including:
A clear understanding of the impact of screens and tech on youth
A smart, not scared approach to digital wellness for youth
How to keep kids safe online, including how to respond if they've been exposed to pornography
Best practices for keeping tech in check and tips for summer screentime
A recording of the conversation will be shared with all registrants following the live event. Register here.
CALL TO ACTION: XAI’s 12+ Chatbot Designed to “Be Explicit” and “Go Full Literotica”
XAI’s animated chatbot app Grok has released a new avatar designed to engage in sexually explicit conversations with users, yet the app is rated appropriate for ages 12+ on the Apple store. Learn more and join the petition to change the rating to 18+.
July 2025 Resource Roundup
Curated resources to help you be informed about the work and advocacy of Project SAGE.
ARTICLE: Domestic Abuse in Pregnancy: Risks, Signs & How to Get Help
Shockingly, homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant people. Pregnancy can escalate domestic abuse as abusers feel threatened by the shift in priorities, leading to increased control tactics like physical violence, financial manipulation, and reproductive coercion. The abuser may try to stop their victim from getting help, but there are ways to reach out.
ARTICLE: Domestic Violence and Pets: Survivors Share Their Stories
Fear for their pets’ safety often delays survivors from leaving an abuser, sometimes by months or even years. Pets are a crucial source of emotional support and healing for many survivors, both during and after their escape, yet a lack of pet-friendly domestic violence shelters and organizations remains a major barrier, underscoring the need for more inclusive survivor support systems. But help does exist, and no one should have to choose between safety and their pets.
ARTICLE: Why Threats in a Relationship Should Be Taken Seriously
For domestic violence survivors, there’s a good chance they have experienced threats from an abusive partner. It’s common to dismiss a partner’s threats as empty words or emotional outbursts. But experts warn that these threats are often strategies abusers use for control and intimidation, and they can point to violence in the future. Understanding these threats, why people might minimize them, and the steps someone can take for safety is crucial.
Project SAGE in the Community
Come visit our Project SAGE table at these community events!
Come Visit our Project SAGE Table at These Community Events!
Sharon on the Green Arts & Crafts Festival
Saturday, August 2 | 10 AM - 5 PM | Sharon Town Green, Sharon, CT
Peruse 60-80 vendors offering original works. The show opens at 10am and closes at 5pm rain or shine. Food services are available. This is a free event.
Lakeville Journal Community Street Fair
Saturday, August 2 | 11 AM - 3 PM | Academy Street, Salisbury, CT
Kent Sidewalk Sale
August 7, 8, 9 | 10 AM - 6 PM | Route 7 and Route 341, Kent, CT
If your idea of fun is great sales, fabulous food, and music, Kent is the place to be the first weekend of August. Rain or shine! Free fun for the whole family.
Kent Farmers Market
Friday, August 8 | 3 - 6 PM | Kent Land Trust Field
Learn about the farmers market here.
Kent Carnival
Saturday, August 30 | 12 - 1:00 PM | Kent, CT
Welcome Our New Office Manager Angel Falzone
Project SAGE is proud to welcome Angel Falzone as our new Office Manager.
Project SAGE is proud to welcome Angel Falzone as our new Office Manager. A lifelong resident of Litchfield County, Angel was raised in East Canaan and now calls Norfolk home. With a professional background in healthcare and business administration, Angel brings a wealth of organizational expertise and a strong sense of compassion to her new role. She will complete her Master’s in Business Administration from Grand Canyon University this December.
Angel is deeply committed to serving her community—especially the one that shaped her. She is passionate about supporting efforts that create lasting social change and believes in the importance of building safe, respectful, and empowering environments for all.
As Office Manager, Angel looks forward to helping strengthen the systems that support survivors and the agency’s day-to-day operations. She’s eager to collaborate with staff, partners, and community members to help advance Project SAGE’s vision of a world free from relationship violence.
Angel lives with her husband and son, who she describes as her greatest joy and motivation. Please join us in warmly welcoming Angel to the Project SAGE team!
Project SAGE Celebrates Disability Pride Month
July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the incredible diversity, strength, and resilience of individuals with disabilities.
July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the incredible diversity, strength, and resilience of individuals with disabilities. It’s a month dedicated to recognizing the invaluable contributions of disabled individuals and advocating for a more inclusive and accessible world.
This month also commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990, a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination and champions equal opportunities for people with disabilities. The ADA's spirit of inclusion is vital, especially as we acknowledge that individuals with disabilities can face unique vulnerabilities, including a higher risk of experiencing domestic violence than their non-disabled peers.
By upholding the principles of the ADA and embracing disability as a natural and celebrated part of human diversity, we build stronger, more equitable communities for all. This month, Project SAGE invites you to join us in working towards our vision of a world in which everyone can be themselves, have healthy relationships, and live free of interpersonal relationship violence. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about how you can get involved, email Linda at lindac@project-sage.org.
Project SAGE in the News: May 2025
The Lakeville Journal
Trade Secrets at 25
On May 17 and 18, the 25th anniversary of Trade Secrets will unfurl like a perennial in full bloom. Held at Lime Rock Park and at private gardens in the area, the beloved garden and antiques fundraiser is part curated spectacle...Read the article here.
The Kent Dispatch
Project SAGE gets Purple Ribbon award
Project SAGE has received a Purple Ribbon Award from the Alliance for Hope International, which honored it as the Youth Initiative of the Year... Read more here.
The Lakeville Journal
Project SAGE receives Purple Ribbon Award
Project SAGE has been named Youth Initiative of the Year in the Purple Ribbon Awards presented by Alliance for HOPE International. Read the full story here.
May 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
PODCAST: Deepfake Technology and A.I. in Sexual Exploitation - Ending Sexploitation Podcast
In this episode of the Ending Sexploitation podcast , senior staff from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation discuss the current state of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology in the realm of sexual exploitation. Overwhelmingly, these tools are used for pornographic material, and 10% of teenagers have reported being aware of deepfake pornography depicting someone they know. Learn more and find out how you can advocate for meaningful change here.
ARTICLE: What Is Sextortion? And What to Do If It Happens to You
If someone is threatening to share private and explicit/nude photos or videos of you, even AI-generated ones, that’s called sextortion. It’s a crime. It’s happening to a lot of young people. And it’s not their fault. Read about how parents can help a teen who’s being blackmailed with sextortion.
ARTICLE: Take It Down Act
On April 28, 2025, Congress passed historic legislation to combat the online spread of non-consensual intimate images (NCII).. The TAKE IT DOWN Act represents a monumental shift in protecting victims—especially children and survivors of tech-enabled sexual abuse—from exploitation in the digital age. Read more here.
WEB RESOURCE: Social AI Companions
According to testing commissioned by commonsense.org (a leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families and schools), social AI companions – AI-powered “assistants” designed to engage in interactive, realistic-seeming conversation – pose unacceptable risks to teens and children under 18, including encouraging harmful behaviors, providing inappropriate content, and potentially exacerbating mental health conditions. See the results of the tests, read about the concerns, and view guidance and recommendations here.
May 2025 Resource Roundup
ARTICLE: How to Divorce an Abusive Spouse Military Edition
Divorcing an abusive partner is a complicated endeavor. If he or she is a member of the U.S. military, the process can be even more arduous. Explore one survivor’s story of navigating this often fraught process, and read advice from a family court strategist here.
VIDEO: New report details state's response to human trafficking through victims' eyes
Sex trafficking happens everywhere. Even here. Connecticut officials say that since Covid, sex trafficking in the state has been on the rise with no signs of slowing. A recent report on victims as young as 12 highlights some of the challenges facing the state in combating this abuse. Learn more in this two-minute news short.
Summer at Project SAGE
Summer leading into fall is one of the busiest times of the year for Project SAGE community outreach. It’s the season when we set up our table at community events and share information about healthy relationships – and how to get help if you have any questions or concerns about a relationship – all throughout the Northwest Corner.
This year, you can find Project SAGE at all of these events – and more! Just look for the purple table and the Project SAGE banner. If you see us, please stop by and say hello. And tell your friends to stop by as well. We can’t wait to see you at one of these events!
North Canaan Spring Fest: Saturday, May 31
Kent Farmers Market: 2nd Friday of every month, June-October
Sharon Arts on the Green: Saturday, August 2
Lakeville Journal Community Street Fair: Saturday, August 2
Kent Sidewalk Sale: August
North Canaan Railroad Days: August
Cornwall Agricultural Fair: September
Kent Carnival: TBA
Falls Village Fall Festival: October
Salisbury Fall Festival: October
Mohawk Mountain Fall Festival: October
April 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
ARTICLE: What Adolescence gets right (and wrong) about the manosphere
The Netflix series Adolescence raises the important issue of online radicalization and the manosphere – but there is no straightforward reason as to how or why young people are radicalized to commit extreme acts of violence. Read more about how this series sheds light on the phenomenon of online radicalization.
SERIES: Adolescence
Watch Adolescence on Netflix. Watch now.
SHORT VIDEO: Dirty Dozen List 2025 Presents: Communications Decency Act Section 230
Every year, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation presents a Dirty Dozen List targeting 12 entities or platforms that they find to be facilitating, enabling, or profiting from sexual abuse and exploitation. This year, they are focusing on 12 stories that unmask the real root of the problem: Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Watch this 2-minute video to learn more and find out how you can take action. Watch now.
ARTICLE: When Abusers Threaten Revenge Porn
Sharing explicit images without permission or “leaking nudes” is a form of sexual violence that is used to exert control over a partner or ex-partner. Learn more about this coercive tactic and what you can do if you are targeted. Read now.
April 2025 Resource Roundup
ARTICLE: Ask Amanda: Should I Text My Ex?
Should you text a red-flag ex? Amanda of the monthly relationship-advice column Ask Amanda weighs in on the subject. Read now.
VIDEO: 10 Signs of Financial Abuse You May Be Missing
Financial abuse is one of the many ways abusers assert power and control over their partner and it can take many forms. This type of abuse is very common and occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases. Learn to spot signs of financial abuse. Watch now.
PODCAST: If You Touch, I'll Tell: Preventing Children from Sexual Abuse
In this episode of the Voice2Change Podcast, host Jocelyn Maminta interviews Dr. Shamina Aubuchon, author of "If You Touch, I'll Tell," a children’s book designed to help parents talk with their children about body safety. Shamina, a survivor of child sexual abuse, shares her journey and the powerful motivation behind becoming an author. Listen now.
ARTICLE: Does Anger Management Really Stop Domestic Violence?
Court-ordered anger management is a common recommendation after abusers are charged with violence against their partner. However, domestic violence is rooted in power and control, and anger is a tactic of control aimed specifically at one person: their intimate partner. Learn more about the relationship between anger and the dynamics of power and control. Read now.
Purple Ribbon Award Winner
Youth Initiative of the Year
Project SAGE is thrilled to have been named Youth Initiative of the Year in the Purple Ribbon Awards presented by Alliance for Hope International.
Launched in 2021, The Purple Ribbon Awards are the most comprehensive awards program honoring the countless hopegivers of the domestic violence movement. The nationally competitive awards are presented to "hopegivers who are making a substantial positive impact on the lives of domestic violence survivors."
The Youth Initiative of the Year award honors the Project SAGE Prevention Education team and the work that we do in creating and delivering the Healthy Relationships curriculum to youth throughout the Northwest Corner.
Please join us in celebrating this win, not only for Project SAGE, but for all our partner schools. We are grateful to be able to do this work with and for them.
Thank You To Our Volunteers
You Make Our Work Possible
Whether helping shelter a client, teaching children healthy communication skills, or bringing our major fundraising event, Trade Secrets, to life, volunteers are essential to the work we do at Project SAGE. For the countless hours, energy, and commitment you provide to the agency and to our clients, thank you.
March 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
New research finds that 40% of children have a tablet by age 2 and spend about 2.5 hours per day on screen time. Gaming time has surged 65% since 2020, and traditional TV viewing has declined, while short-form video platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts are on the rise, underscoring the increasingly complex media environment that parents must navigate in their children's early years. Read more key findings and find the full report here.
VIDEO: Digital Essentials for Seniors
This video by Older Adults Technology Service (OATS) and AARP explores how to create strong passwords, spotting and avoiding online spam and phishing attempts, securing online banking, and other useful digital tips. Watch now.
ARTICLE: Digital Essentials: Online Safety
Research shows that deepfake pornography makes up 98% of all deepfake videos online, and 99% of the individuals targeted in deepfake pornography are women. It now takes less that 25 minutes and costs $0 to create a 60-second deepfake pornographic video of anyone using just one clear face image. Create a free account with medium.com to read more about this troubling trend.
VIDEO: Unpacking the Threat of Chatbots (with Adam Dodge)
Research shows kids spend more time on Character AI than TikTok. Why? Companion bots (chatbots), like Character AI, are more addictive than social media because they simulate real human relationships without the potential for conflict. They offer 24/7 validation - a “friend” who is always there to support, entertain and agree with you. It’s nice in theory but harmful in practice. Digital safety advocate Adam Dodge unpacks this phenomenon here.
March 2025 Resource Roundup
ARTICLE: Neuropsychologist shares the one sentence boys need to hear (over and over again)
Neuropsychologist Dr. Sanam Hafeez reports that “middle school boys often absorb societal messages that discourage emotional expression….[and] suppressing emotions can lead to stress, anxiety and difficulty forming healthy relationships.” How can parents help counter these harmful messages? Read the article now.
ARTICLE: Understanding Boundaries and Consent in Relationships
Just as your home may have a fence that divides your property from your neighbor’s, a boundary is a virtual fence that separates your body, emotions, and energy from someone else’s. Boundaries help establish limits for what you deem acceptable. Read this guide to see examples of healthy boundaries and learn more about the importance of consent in every relationship.
PODCAST: S6 Ep 5: Power To Break Free
Listen as Anisha Durve – survivor, author, and motivational speaker – uncovers the red flags of abusive relationships, explores the critical role communities play in either enabling or preventing partner abuse, and highlights the resilience and healing that survivors can achieve.