Project AWARE Blog

My name is Mary Graham and I am the mother of 13 year old Aleah Graham, a member of Project AWARE. I am sincerely grateful to Project AWARE for the opportunities that it has given to my daughter. Aleah has been a member of Project AWARE for the past 3 years and has been able to take part in the Project AWARE players as well as the movie projects that the group has done. I have seen enormous growth in Aleah through her experiences. Project AWARE has given her the opportunity to speak out about issues that are important to her and her peers. She has been able to combine her love for acting with activism. Aleah has been able to look deeper at issues that she and her peers face on a daily basis and brainstorm how to cope with these issues. Aleah has been able to connect with other youth from surrounding communities and work together to create strength in facing issues such as bullying and drug use and abuse. I admire that Project AWARE has provided her a place to voice her thoughts and feelings as well as outlets to express these. I am thankful for the adults that Aleah has connected with who are positive role models and give her opportunities to create ideas and see them through to fruition. I believe that Project AWARE has helped to create in our teenager goals and direction as well as the belief that she is capable of big things!

(Aleah Graham’s blog appeared on March 6, 2010 in the previous post)

Being a part of Project AWARE has given me a sense of independence and self-pride.

As co-creator of Project AWARE’s latest film, I can definitely say that Filming ‘Influenced’ was one of the greatest experiences of my life! There’s nothing like a positive group to guarantee an impressive outcome of a project! I am so grateful for the amount of work and creativity that everyone put into the movie, it has surely made everyone proud! The week of the film-shoot was so inspiring, positive, and fun. Influenced was a great success and it could not have been what it is without the help of everyone! I am so excited to go to Caribou for a screening of ‘Influenced’ and I think that it will have a strong impact of the community!

The Project AWARE players is another of my great accomplishments! I remember wanting so badly to be part of the Players that, when I graduated into the group as one of the youngest members, I was so proud. The Players haven’t let me down, either. I have had so much fun at all of the presentations and I have met so many wonderful people. I am so excited to go to Caribou for the screening of ‘Influenced’ and I think that it will have a strong impact of the community!

 It is interesting to be one of the youngest people so actively involved with Project AWARE. But as hard as it can be, I feel lucky to be able to learn from the older Players.

Doing presentations definitely makes me feel empowered. The skits we do impact so many people, the facts we give inform adults of what kids are really doing, and the help we dish out makes people feel a lot less hopeless. I am so glad to be able to help the community in such an important way. So all I have to say is; thank you Project AWARE and Mom and Dad for helping me to be part of such a great group of people.

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 Please go to http://www.projectaware.net/influenced/screenings.php to view a list of current screenings.

Why have Project AWARE conduct a screening? PA facilitators and young people have reached thousands of people in Maine with a message about issues facing youth today. Hosts will benefit from the breadth of knowledge, experience and commitment Project AWARE brings. If you would like to schedule a screening in your area please contact Carl Lakari at 207-282-5598 or write projectaware@maine.rr.com.

To order the DVD go to http://projectaware.net/wordpress/?page_id=75

“Every child is INFLUENCED by their parents.  By their good decisions, and by their bad.  Kids are aware and remember.  Parent’s influence today, shapes the generation of tomorrow.”Josephine Cooper age 15, co-creator, following the Premiere of  “Influenced”, Dec. 13, 2009, Biddeford (Maine ) City Theater.

Congratulations Josephine Cooper, Aleah Graham and the entire cast and crew of “Influenced” as the movie premieres for over 300 people on a rainy and snowy night .

Aleah Graham, age 13, goes onto say, “Wow, what an experience. This movie has come such a long way. I remember the first meeting we ever had. It was at Thornton Academy, in the gazebo where Josephine and I met Karen True for the first time. Then, the series of meetings at Starbucks, getting the same drink each time, plotting, rewriting and revising the scripts. At that point I was just along for the ride. But then I started realizing just how important this project really was. I remember after we had written all three scripts we set a casting date which ended up getting postponed three times; something I am now grateful for because it gave us the opportunity to better our story-line and find amazing actors.”

“In the movie, as you know, we had two big scenes; the cafeteria and party scenes where we had a great turnout of extras from the community, all of whom were willing to hang out and participate when needed. It was wonderful to feel the support of peers throughout the process.”

“This movie means so much to me. I learned so much about myself throughout this process. I made so many life long friends from all walks of life, and I feel so lucky to be able to have taken part in such an extraordinary process. I am so thankful for the many opportunities Project AWARE has given me and I can’t wait to get started on the next movie. I want to give a special thanks to everyone who participated, we couldn’t have done it without the Sanford Kids, the rest of the film institute attendees, the adults at Project AWARE, Gum Spirits, and Parents. Thank you all so much! You helped to make ‘Influenced’ what it is; so thank you!”

You can find out more and also order “Influenced” on DVD at www.InfluencedMovie.com

Cast and Crew (partial) of "Influenced"

Standing Ovation for the Movie "Influenced"

Co-Creator Aleah Graham

“Influenced” will premiere on Sunday Dec. 13 from 6-8 PM at City Theater in Biddeford, Maine. The screening is free and open to the public. The premiere will include music and direct addresses from teens, the premiere of the movie, video blog of how the movie was made, a panel of experts for Q and A, and much more. (click here for the flyer)

Find out more and see the trailer at:

 www.influencedmovie.com

How to get to beautiful Biddeford City Theater:

(click here for directions)

Influenced Promo Reel with orginal PSA, trailer and interview. 4 minutes.

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Monkey see monkey do. What does this old phrase truly mean? That every one of us follows someone, does as the one we look up to does. But what if what we see isn’t something we should do? What I ask is how would a child know? Role models are the one’s who shape children’s lives. So what are they to do if those role models don’t model in the way they should? Too many children are lost because of this very question. And unfortunately the answer is that even if they don’t have a good model to follow, they follow right behind anyway. And so the best way to stop this is to make parents aware of what an “influence” they have on their children. My goal with this movie is to show parents the astounding affect they have on their kids. To make them realize that they are the only hope for their children’s future.

Josephine Cooper – Writer, Director, Producer and a Lead Actor for “Influenced” 

Sophomore at Thornton Academy (High School) Saco

What do YOU think about the issue? Please share your thoughts after watching this interview clip of Aleah Graham, a Co-Creator, Producer, and a Lead Actor for “Influenced”

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“Influenced” a Youth-Led Movie Project to Raise Awareness about the Impacts of Adult Role Modeling. Coming in the Fall of 2009.

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Find out more HERE