Mentoring/Learning Sessions

Mentoring is at the core of what we do. It was the first program we started when WAGE was founded in 2013, as it fully supports our mission to use education to prevent or end violence against women and girls. Our first inclusive, emotionally-supportive mentoring program that began in Asbury Park, NJ, for both girls and boys continues today! We have since started remote mentoring programs in India, Uganda and Nigeria and additional mentoring has been done in Neptune City, Long Branch and Perth Amboy, NJ!

In spring 2025, we kicked off a new program specifically designed for female athletes. We hope to further enhance the program with scholarships, internships, tutoring, funding for summer activities and more! In January 2026, we started a unique mentoring program that started with training college students to be part of a new mentoring program at Long Branch HS of Social Justice in February! Another one will begin in the fall 2026 in Freehold, NJ!

If your school is interested in getting involved, please let us know!

The goal of our mentoring programs is to offer students an inclusive and welcoming environment that inspires them to dream and be kind to others and themselves. Our aim is to bolster self-esteem through interactive play, writing and conversation and project-based programs like vision boards and financial literacy. Lesson plans feature role models like bell hooks, Malala Yousafzai, Amanda Gorman, Joy Harjo, and Dorothy Huerta as well as local heroes so that something within that story may resonate with their own!

I am #smart. I am #creative. I am #powerful. I am #loved. Siarra Morris shared powerful messages to love yourself! Thank you also to Aaron Wilson for sharing his story, his words of wisdom as a veteran and his challenge to the kids to strive for more! Say #affirmations every day! #love #loveyourself #bebold

We’re going to miss Tuesdays too, Braelyn and all your enthusiasm! So glad you enjoyed our mentoring program!

Learning/Film Screening Sessions

Starting in 2023, WAGE also added reading sessions and film screenings as well as learning sessions at places like Asbury Park Library, Asbury Book Cooperative and more! We hosted a film screening of the powerful documentary called “A Journey With a Hope,” which addresses period poverty and shame, at the Asbury Park Library.

In 2024, we welcomed Dale Caldwell to talk about his parents, Gil and Grace Caldwell during Black History Month.