Answer the Call for Safety

This Giving Tuesday (December 2nd), we’re launching “Answer the Call for Safety”—a campaign to raise $10,000 for our crisis hotline.

Plus, thanks to a former board president, every dollar you give will be MATCHED dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000, doubling your impact.

Last year, our 24/7 confidential crisis hotline answered 1500 calls from folks looking for help in the face of violence in Northwest Connecticut. Each call was someone reaching out in their darkest moment—looking for safety, support, and hope.  Some callers reached out while actively navigating unsafe situations, others sought support for loved ones, and many simply needed a voice on the other end of the phone to help them take the next step. 

Our hotline is a lifeline for survivors seeking information, safety planning, resources, or simply someone who will listen without judgment. No matter the time of day or night, when someone calls, Project SAGE answers — and that connection can be the first step toward safety, healing, and stability.

But answering the call isn’t free. Our hotline costs $40,000 annually to staff with trained advocates who are there day and night, holidays and weekends.

Domestic violence impacts people of all backgrounds, identities, ages, and income levels. While no single intervention can solve every challenge a survivor may face, a single phone call can open the door to safety, choice, and hope.

Mark your calendar for Giving Tuesday, December 2nd. Together, we can make sure no call goes unanswered.

Spotlight on Project SAGE

Community Support Makes the Holidays Brighter

The holidays are approaching, and Project SAGE is grateful to all our dedicated community supporters who are helping make this time of year special for our clients.

Thanks to generous in-kind donations of new books and toys, parents will be able to select holiday gifts for their children from the shelves of our Kids’ Closet. The earnest efforts of the Women’s Initiative at Temple Beth David have brought in scores of gas cards that clients are using to get to work, school, doctors’ appointments, and more. And dedicated supporter Francesca Donner is currently heading up a supermarket card drive that will help ensure that every one of our families in need has food for the holidays and beyond.

Whether it’s a donation of costume jewelry for our “The Bling’s the Thing” fundraiser or an hour of time spent volunteering to assist with the myriad tasks that make up the day at Project SAGE, every bit of community support helps us help others. 

So, THANK YOU to everyone reading this message.

We couldn’t do this work without you.

Be Part of Our 2026 Annual Guide!

Reimagined as a true community resource connecting readers with both essential information and local inspiration.

The 2026 Guide will feature:

• Domestic Violence Awareness & Resources — empowering our community to help prevent violence.
• Community Highlights — local gems, destinations, and experiences worth exploring.
• Trade Secrets Features — a peek behind the scenes of our premier rare plants and garden antiques event.

Available early in the new year and distributed throughout 2026, the guide will reach over 5,000 locals, visitors, design lovers, and garden enthusiasts who turn to it all year long, a meaningful way to support Project SAGE while keeping your business front and center in homes and hands across the region. Get all the details and learn more!

Project SAGE Is Hiring!

Family and Child Advocate - Full/Time

Upcoming Events

Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28

From all of us at Project SAGE, happy Thanksgiving. We are grateful for you and your support! Remember, our 24/7 hotline will always be available at 860-364-1900.

BINGO Night

Wednesday, December 10
Morgan's Restaurant, Interlaken Inn | 74 Interlaken Rd., Lakeville

Join us for this Project SAGE fundraiser: buffet dinner and 5 games of Bingo with prizes; $25 per person at Morgan's Restaurant. Call the Interlaken Inn at 800-222-2909 for reservations.

Resource Roundup

ARTICLE: An Alarming Trend: Moms Sentenced to Jail for Keeping Kids from Abusers

There is an ongoing epidemic some may say is more dire than violence against women. It’s the criminalization of women who try to protect their children from violence. Often referred to as “protective mothers,” these survivors of abusive partners are desperately trying to shield their children from being weaponized by their abusive fathers. These abusers often involve the legal system, law enforcement, child counselors and evaluators, even their own family members, in a relentless and complicated, long-term assault, doing anything and everything in their power to make sure the woman who dared to gain the courage to leave them may never see their children again, and, to top it off, find herself behind bars if she tries.

REPORT: Anti-Bullying Policies in School and LGBTQ+ Young People

LGBTQ+ young people report higher rates of bullying than their straight, cisgender peers. Experiences of bullying are associated with higher rates of suicide attempts, which are already disproportionately high among LGBTQ+ young people. The good news is that LGBTQ+ young people who attend schools with LGBTQ+-inclusive anti-bullying policies report lower rates of attempting suicide compared to their peers at schools without such policies.

Tech-related Resources

A Special Roundup for the Year of Digital Safety

CALL TO ACTION: A.I. LEAD Act: A Bipartisan Effort to Confront the Supercharged Harms of A.I.

When Adam discovered ChatGPT, he began using it as a tool to assist with his schoolwork. As time progressed, ChatGPT became his companion and confidant. And when Adam developed suicidal thoughts, ChatGPT gave Adam the exact plan to end his life. The AI LEAD Act, sponsored by Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), would ensure AI chatbots are developed safely and, when they’re not, ensure accountability.

Be Sure to Follow Us!

We're now on Instagram!

We want your feedback!

¡Queremos sus comentarios!

24-hour Hotline

Línea directa las 24 horas

860-364-1900