Safety & Presence Research  

Foundations FYI explores practical approaches that may improve safety, connection and support for vulnerable individuals, including domestic-violence survivors and people experiencing threats, isolation or housing instability.

Our role is to listen to affected individuals, shelters, advocates and safety professionals; identify unmet needs; and evaluate responsible ways that community support and emerging technology might help.

This initiative remains in an early research and community-listening stage. No technology discussed on this page should be considered a replacement for emergency services, professional safety planning, law enforcement or qualified domestic-violence services.

Program activities and roadmap 

Listen and Learn
Gather guidance from survivors, shelters, advocates and safety professionals.

Define Responsible Use
Establish privacy, safety, ethical and survivor-centered requirements.

Evaluate Concepts
Examine whether proposed technology offers meaningful public benefit without creating additional risk.

Develop a Limited Pilot
Work with qualified partners to test a carefully defined nonprofit safety initiative.

Measure and Report
Document outcomes, limitations, participant feedback and recommended safeguards.

Technology Being Explored 

Foundations FYI is exploring early-stage safety concepts that use everyday connected devices — such as lighting, audio, and other smart-home technology — to help create the impression that a home is occupied and supported.

The goal is not confrontation. The goal is to add a layer of deterrence, awareness, and perceived presence for someone who may otherwise feel alone or vulnerable, particularly domestic violence survivors and others rebuilding stability after difficult situations.

This concept is still in development. Foundations FYI's role is focused on community input, pilot support, and responsible evaluation as this technology is explored.

Help Us Explore This Work

This early-stage concept is still being researched, tested, and refined, and we're looking for people who can help us do that responsibly.

We welcome insight and support from:

• Domestic violence survivors willing to share insight

• Advocates and shelter professionals

• Safety and security professionals

• Developers and smart-home specialists

• Local businesses and sponsors

• Nonprofits and churches

• Donors and community partners

• Volunteers interested in testing, outreach, or pilot support

Our goal is to shape this concept with the people it's intended to serve, especially women who understand firsthand what vulnerability can feel like.

If you have experience, ideas, professional knowledge, community connections, or simply a desire to help, we'd be grateful to hear from you.

Contact David: david@foundations.fyi

Together, we can help explore whether this concept could become a practical, respectful layer of safety for people who need it most.

Partner Disclosure 

Foundations FYI is an independent Montana nonprofit organization. Sentra LLC is a separate Montana technology company developing simulated-presence concepts. Any collaboration, licensing, donated services or financial arrangement between the organizations must be reviewed under Foundations FYI’s conflict-of-interest procedures and structured to advance the nonprofit’s charitable mission.

This protects Foundations, demonstrates transparency and helps distinguish the nonprofit program from your company.