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

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Welcome to Our New Event Coordinator, Nichole Reyes

Trade Secrets, the premier fundraiser for Project SAGE, welcomes Nichole Reyes as our new Event Coordinator.

Reyes brings a wealth of experience in event planning and a Master's degree in Non-profit Management to her role. With a deep commitment to social change, she is passionate about supporting Project SAGE's mission to end interpersonal violence.

"I am honored to join the Trade Secrets team and contribute to the vital work of Project SAGE," said Reyes. "Combining my professional expertise with my personal values allows me to create meaningful events that drive positive impact."

A dedicated community member, Reyes resides in Millerton with her husband and two sons. She actively serves on the Webutuck School Board, reflecting her commitment to giving back to her community.

Trade Secrets, inspired by Bunny Williams and Naomi Blumenthal, has been a cornerstone of support for Project SAGE since 2001. The event showcases exceptional garden designs and raises crucial funds to support Project SAGE's mission to create a safer community for all. It will be held on May 17th and 18th this year. For more information, visit tradesecrets.com.

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Our Year in Review

As a new year approaches, we look back at the past 12 months with gratitude and appreciation for all those who make our work possible. It has been a year of growth and change. In 2024, we welcomed a new Executive Director, a new Director of Development, and several new Advocates. We also inaugurated a new Board Chair, and two new members joined our robust and engaged Board. Our October events marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month exceeded all past participation, with over 80 community members attending our Vigil honoring those who lost their lives to domestic violence in Connecticut and more than two dozen participants raising awareness about safe public spaces at Take Back the Hike, held in conjunction with Kent Land Trust. Project SAGE was a regular presence at community events throughout 2024, including the Kent Farmers Market, North Canaan Railroad Days, Sharon on the Green, Salisbury Fall Fest, Cornwall Ag Fair, and many more. And of course, Project SAGE continued its work of supporting, advocating, guiding, and educating by training scores of volunteers, teaching hundreds of workshops, answering thousands of hotline calls, and sheltering dozens of survivors of domestic violence. None of this vital work would be possible without the steadfast support of our community – you.

 All of us at Project SAGE wish you a safe and bright new year and hope you will join us in 2025 as we continue our commitment to ending relationship violence and building a healthier, safer community for everyone.

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Welcome our new Director of Development, Sara Gunn

In this season of celebration, we at Project SAGE are celebrating the newest member of our team, Sara Gunn! 

Since mid November, Sara has been Project SAGE’s Director of Development, and she comes to us with a wealth of experience. Most recently she was with the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, where she collaborated with her team to raise over 4 million dollars during her tenure and cultivated strong partnerships in the community. Sara explains that her entire career has been devoted to the nonprofit sector and that she has only been able to work for non profits whose mission she deeply believes in -- something that is no different with Project SAGE. Not only was she drawn to Project SAGE because of our mission of fostering healthy relationships and social change but also because of our organization’s long legacy and the success of the Trade Secrets fundraising event. She feels that any organization that has that level of success has something very good going on. Since coming on board Sara says she has appreciated the welcoming and supportive work environment and is continuing to feel enthusiastic about her role here.

When she’s not busy securing financial support for our nonprofit, Sara enjoys vegetarian cooking and home improvement projects where she lives in Dutchess County. Project SAGE is thrilled to welcome her on board, and we are enjoying having her as part of our team!

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Local Teen Supports Project SAGE’s Work

Local teen, August Donner, has been coming up with some creative ways to support Project SAGE!

When August heard about kids who have to leave their home quickly, without taking any of their belongings, he was moved to do something with them in mind. He organized a toy and book drive to help give them something of their own to soften the upheaval they may be experiencing when they arrive at Project SAGE. August found that asking local bookstores for donations was hard, but he reported they were really nice. His efforts resulted in four boxes filled with new toys and books.

Not only has August taken the initiative to support children, he also organized a fundraising hike this autumn to financially support Project SAGE. August and his Dad hiked a 12-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, going up to an elevation of 3,300 feet in 6 hours, and generating over $3,000 in donations.

Generosity from community members, of either money or time goes a long way in the work that Project SAGE does, and August gave both. Although he is only 14, two years younger than the 16 year age requirement for certified Project SAGE volunteers, August says that he’s already hoping to join our volunteer team in a few years. We are so glad to have August Donner in our corner!

Learn how you too can help Project SAGE

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