History & Activities

 SAFE (Student Advisors for Education), founded in 2006, is a student-organized, student-led branch of the Parents Education Network and is comprised of more than 50 students from Bay Area public, independent and parochial schools.

In 2006, Jonathan Mooney met and inspired an amazing group of teenage students in the Bay Area. With their outstanding volunteer advisors Brian Thomas, Nancy Cushen White and Shafia Zaloom, they meet to share their experiences. They laugh, write, speak on panels, mentor and self-advocate. They are the youthful heart and soul, and, we believe, the future of PEN.

---

The activities of SAFE include:

• meeting at least monthly with each other and their professional advisors - click here for dates.

• they created and produced a video that premiered as a Public Service Announcement at the PEN/SF Giants LD Awareness Night on September 20, 2007 - watch it here

• they created and published a book, "Read This When You Can," in collaboration with Jonathan Mooney and the 826 Valencia Writing Center - available for purchase here in Fall 2008!

• sharing their life experiences by speaking on public panels at conferences and school events. One of their panel presentations was filmed and edited by a SAFE Voices member - watch it here. >Also, please read this article written by Steven Morris, Head of the San Francisco School, about a presentation given to his faculty.

• participating in the Bay Area chapter of the Project Eye-to-Eye mentoring program, established by a SAFE Voices member and staffed by Eye-to-Eye trained members of the group. This chapter is now beginning its second year - see training & meeting dates. Community service credit is available for this powerful and rewarding experience. If interested in becoming a mentor please contact SAFEvoices@parentseducationnetwork.org.

• will be featured in an upcoming HBO documentary on urban education by filmmakers Alan and Susan Raymond. The group has participated in two full days of individual interviews and been filmed in the Project Eye-to-Eye artroom and at their art show at Presidio Hill School.

---

This unique group of teens is passionate about learning differently, pursuing their fullest potential and spreading awareness of their capacity for academic and life success. If you or someone you know is interested in joining or learning more, please CONTACT US!

Contact: SAFEvoices@parentseducationnetwork.org