The vision of Project AWARE is a community where young people are leaders, and are addressing issues of concern in their lives from their perspective and in their voice…. a place where their voices, thoughts, concerns, and solutions are welcomed and heard… and from that place, youth-led action is taken.
Young people are making unhealthy choices and Project AWARE assumes that dis-empowerment is at the root. By supporting young people in taking the lead to address issues that concern them, it will result in a world that is more balanced, more peaceful, and more just. And an empowered young person continues to grow into an effective, dynamic, compassionate leader as an adult.
Youth take action: Project AWARE supports young people to raise awareness among Maine’s youth, educators, parents, and other adults about issues that affect them including substance abuse, bullying / harassment, negative role modeling and more. By being involved directly in project development and implementation young people are empowered to make a difference.
Overall, since it began in 2003, the organization has reached thousands of young people and adults through presentations and workshops using educational and awareness-raising activities to engage youth in taking action about the issues that concern them. Key to its success is the Project AWARE Players, a troupe of young people committed to making a difference. Founded in 2003, they create skits, songs, dances, film and more to express their concerns about issues such as substance abuse, eating disorders, teen pregnancy, harassment etc. and to raise awareness about healthy choices and natural highs. In 2007, the Players created the movie “Falling” which raises awareness about youth prescription drug abuse, and in 2009 released their second movie “Untold Stories: the truth about bullying and harassment”.
In addition, Project AWARE offers numerous programs includng targeted presentations, youth empowerment workshops, training packages for high quality video production, staff education about issues from a youth perspective, and much more.