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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Survey: Gender-based Violence & the Workplace

The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) and Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence (Alliance) have partnered to issue a survey through the U.S. Department of Labor Fostering Access, Rights, and Equity (FARE) Grant Program. Our goal is to build awareness and provide education that is survivor-centered for both employers and employees across the state. You can help inform the development of training and technical assistance tools by taking a brief, 15-minute anonymous survey.

Purpose of the Survey:

  • Assess Awareness: We aim to understand the current level of awareness and knowledge around gender-based violence in the workplace.

  • Inform Training: The insights gathered will help us create effective training programs tailored to your workplace.

  • Develop Strategies: We will use the data to implement worker and survivor-driven strategies to reduce and prevent gender-based violence.

Our Objectives:

  • Connect Survivors to Resources: We aim to link women workers and other survivors to domestic & sexual violence services, benefits, and legal assistance.

  • Empower Leadership: We strive to encourage women and survivors to become leaders in their communities on issues of gender-based violence and harassment.

  • Enhance Workplace Policies: We will support employers to develop workplace violence policies and procedures that are worker and survivor-centered and trauma-informed.

  • Increase Utilization of Resources: Our goal is to boost the knowledge and use of workplace benefits and community resources.

All responses are anonymous and will be kept confidential, used solely for the purpose of enhancing our project. Your participation is voluntary, and you can skip any questions you are not comfortable answering.

Thank you for your time and valuable input. Together, we can make a significant impact!

This information in this post and survey came from the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV).

'Tis the Season to Give

It feels good to give during the holiday, knowing that you've made someone happy or given them what they need. Research proves there are even health benefits to giving. If you're curious, you can read all about it here.

At Project SAGE, we try to give our clients what they need to build futures free from violence, and we rely upon the support of our community to do so. That means YOU!

Please consider making a donation this holiday season and give the gift of a safer and brighter future to families in crisis.

Donations of all amounts are welcome and appreciated!

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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November 2024 Resource Roundup

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PODCAST: Connecting in Polarized Times

The holidays can be a time of connecting with family and friends. It can also mean experiencing tense moments of disagreement possibly over the Thanksgiving table. Calm and equip yourself by cultivating a sense of curiosity about the people in our lives with this 10-minute meditation. Click for calm.

ARTICLE: Your Partner Can’t Always Be There for You, But Self-Care Can

As we recognize the stress of the past weeks and the whirlwind of the upcoming holiday season, take a moment to assess how you and your loved ones care for themselves. This short informative piece from One Love breaks down what self care means and how we can tend to our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. It’s not an indulgence to cultivate a self-care practice, but a necessity and something we all deserve! Read now to take action.

FACT SHEET: Deepfake Nudes and Other Trends in Youth Behavior Online

With new technology comes new risks. Use this information from Thorn, a technology nonprofit that fights child sexual abuse, to learn how “deepfake” nudes exist in the lives of young people today. By knowing more we can all help to be ahead of the technology and encourage youth to think critically about how they these technologies are being used and how they can stand for healthy relationships in their lives. Read here.

CALL TO ACTION: Pass the Survivor Model in 2025

Take a moment to join the National Center on Sexual Exploitation in encouraging legislators to pass the Survivor Model to protect victims of the sex trade. It is critical that legislators consider the Survivor Model in 2025 to ensure that sex buyers are held accountable for perpetuating the harms of the sex trade. Click to take action.

Thinking about Our Community This Week

Dear Project SAGE Community, 

For many of us, this week’s election was a highly anticipated one, with people experiencing significant stress about the outcomes either way at the local, state, and federal levels.

Stress can sometimes make us feel more escalated. 

At Project SAGE, when a client is experiencing escalation in a relationship, our client-centered, trauma-informed approach is to safety plan.

Therefore, if you are currently feeling escalated, here are some things we can offer: 

  • Identify safe people with whom to talk.

  • Identify strategies that are self soothing for you. 

  • Stick to your schedule.

  • Be honest with yourself about when, where, and how you can engage in difficult interactions.

  • Remember that healthy communication is specific, curious, includes clear boundaries, and respects the reality that multiple perspectives can be true simultaneously. 

As a community-focused organization dedicated to creating social change to end interpersonal relationship violence, we remain committed to advocating for and supporting victims and survivors, as well as challenging attitudes and beliefs around power, control, and gender norms. 

A reminder that our 24/7 hotline is always available for support.

FOR SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, REFERRALS OR EMERGENCY SHELTER
24 HOUR HOTLINE (860) 364-1900

SIMPRE HAY AYUDA DISPONIBLE:
PARA SOPORTE, DEFENSA, REFERIDOS O REFUGIO DE EMERGENCIA
LÍNEA DIRECTA LAS 24 HORAS (860) 364-1900

 

HELP IS AVAILABLE:
FOR SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, REFERRALS
OR EMERGENCY SHELTER, CALL OUR
24 HOUR HOTLINE (860) 364-1900

The Project SAGE office is staffed Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.
Please call (860) 364-1080 to speak with someone in the office.