“The paradox of education is precisely this—that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated.” -James Baldwin
The S.A.F.E Mission
S.A.F.E aims to empower middle and high school student interns to become informed, responsible, and confident digital citizens and civic leaders. Through training in internet literacy, civic engagement, and youth-centered teaching strategies, we equip interns with the knowledge, skills, and leadership tools to educate and inspire younger students. Through mentorship, collaboration, and real-world application, we aim to create a ripple effect of informed, engaged, and responsible learners who strengthen their schools and communities both online and offline.
S.A.F.E’s Core Values
Youth Leadership
We believe teens are not just future voters but current leaders capable of shaping their schools, communities, and society.
Community & Connection
We foster dialogue and collaboration, creating opportunities for students to learn from one another and build collective power.
Empowerment Through Knowledge
We equip students with the tools to think critically, ask questions, and analyze the world around them—online and offline.
Civic Engagement
We prepare students to be active participants in democracy, ensuring their voices are informed, respected, and amplified.
Digital Literacy & Responsibility
We teach students how to navigate the digital world safely, responsibly, and with the skills to identify misinformation.
Equity in Access
We work to close gaps in civic and media literacy education, especially for youth of color, rural youth, and underserved communities.
Inclusivity & Belonging
We create a welcoming space where every student can show up as their full self and celebrate the diversity of identities.
Our Data
S.A.F.E. began as a space where teens could gather, feel at home, and celebrate the richness of their identities. That foundation remains at our core—but as we grew, so did our mission. When planning a civic engagement and internet literacy course, we asked ourselves: What do teens actually need?
Through research, we turned to the Tufts CIRCLE Teen Survey (2022) and uncovered a striking reality. While two-thirds of students wanted opportunities to learn about and discuss the 2020 election, more than one-third had no access to a U.S. government course—with the sharpest disparities affecting youth of color and those in rural areas. The same inequities showed up in media literacy: access varied widely depending on race, socioeconomic background, and geography. In fact, only about half of surveyed teens reported ever being taught how to analyze news and media.
In today’s digital age, where online spaces shape both culture and politics, these gaps matter. That’s why S.A.F.E. has expanded its mission: to prepare students to be informed, thoughtful, and empowered citizens—ready not just to vote, but to lead.
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S.A.F.E AFTERSCHOOL 