For students ready to lead the movement to end sexual violence.

Announcing the 2025 Summer Activist Institute—Now at Manhattanville University

It’s here! We’re officially opening applications for SafeBAE’s 2025 Summer Activist Institute, and this year we’re bringing it to a brand new home: Manhattanville University’s Center for Design Thinking in Purchase, New York.

From June 27 to July 1, we’ll welcome a new class of high school students from across the country for a powerful, 4 day experience rooted in prevention education, leadership development, and youth-driven change.

If you’ve been following us, you already know that the Summer Activist Institute is one of the most impactful things we do all year. It’s not just a training. It’s not a lecture series. It’s a full-on, life-changing deep dive into everything SafeBAE stands for: survivor-centered support, meaningful education, and bold, peer-led prevention.

This year, our partnership with Manhattanville University brings something extra special. Their Center for Design Thinking is all about collaboration, innovation, and human-centered solutions—exactly what youth activists need to take their work to the next level. And being just 30 minutes outside of NYC means more accessibility, more connections, and more opportunities to grow this movement together.

If you’re passionate about ending sexual violence in your school or community, this is your space. If you’re a survivor looking to channel your story into advocacy, this is your moment. If you’ve ever felt like no one else gets it—this is your people.

What the Week Looks Like—And Why It Changes Lives

Every year, we meet students who show up unsure of what to expect—some nervous, some excited, most just hoping to feel less alone in what they’ve experienced or care about. But by the end of the week? They’ve become community organizers. Peer educators. Activists with the tools, language, and support to start real conversations and lead meaningful change in their schools and beyond.

Throughout the Institute, participants dive deep into:

• Consent education that actually makes sense for teens 

• Comprehensive sex ed that centers real, inclusive information—not shame 

• Understanding boundaries, trauma, and survivor support 

• Bystander intervention training 

• Bringing men and masc-identifying students into the conversation in meaningful ways 

• Media literacy and how rape culture shows up in our lives 

• Public speaking, advocacy, and storytelling for change

But what makes the Institute different isn’t just the curriculum—it’s the energy in the room. The connection. The way teens learn from each other, with each other. Our program is 100% peer-led and survivor-centered, because we know prevention doesn’t stick unless it’s real, relevant, and rooted in trust.

And it’s not just workshops. It’s shared meals. Movie nights. Campus hangs. Vulnerable moments. Loud laughter. New friendships. Honest conversations that most students say they’ve never been allowed to have in school.

Many of our participants go on to launch SafeBAE chapters, start school-wide campaigns, or speak at national conferences. But no matter what they do next, one thing stays the same: they leave knowing they’re not alone—and they’re part of something much bigger.

Who Can Apply—and How to Get There

The Summer Activist Institute is open to high school students (rising 9th–12th graders) across the U.S. who are ready to learn, lead, and make an impact in their communities. You don’t need to have any experience in activism or prevention work—just a willingness to show up, listen, grow, and speak up for change.

We especially encourage applications from:

• Students who have never received real consent or sex ed 
• Teens in under-resourced or rural communities 
• BIPOC students, LGBTQ+ students, survivors, and youth with lived experience 
• Anyone who wants to bring SafeBAE to their school or start a chapter 

We know that getting to a program like this can be a challenge for many families. That’s why SafeBAE works hard to make it accessible:

• There is no cost to apply, and our program fees are heavily subsidized. 
• Travel scholarships are available, and we help students every step of the way. 
• Students will stay in dorms on the Manhattanville University campus and meals are provided. 
• Our staff is trained to support students through any accessibility or trauma-related needs.

Ready to Change Your Life—and Your School?

If you’ve been waiting for the moment to step up, speak out, and become part of a national movement to end sexual violence—this is it.

Whether you’re coming with a vision, a story, or just a feeling that things need to change, the Summer Activist Institute will give you the tools, community, and confidence to make that happen. You’ll leave with the skills to bring SafeBAE to your school, educate your peers, support survivors, and challenge the systems that allow harm to continue.

And honestly? You’ll leave with something even more important—proof that you’re not alone.

🌟 Applications are open now at safebae.org/get-involved/students/summer-activist-institute/
📧 Questions? Reach out to us anytime at info@safebae.org
💛 Want to support a student’s travel or help fund the Institute? Donate here

Trusted adults—teachers, counselors, mentors, caregivers: if there’s a student in your life who you know would thrive in this space, we encourage you to refer them or help them apply. Your support could be the reason they find their voice.

Applications are open now—but space is limited. Let’s build this movement, together.