Youth Empowerment Workshops (YEWs)

Participants of Calais Youth Empowerment Workshop, January 2004

Project AWARE works with 6th-12th graders and adults who want to support them using games, interactive theater and group discussions. We present information about prescription drug abuse, addictions and natural highs and engage the group in creating skits to address these issues from their perspective. When possible, we encourage young people, with adult support, to engage in additional awareness-raising activities in their communities by performing their skits for community groups, doing presentations, and/or producing commercials for the public access TV. Typically all YEW participants walk away with new information about addictions, natural highs and/or prescription drug abuse, as well as new skills and abilities by working in the creative group process.
Download Youth Empowerment Workshop Information Sheet - PDF

Project AWARE Players
The Players create skits, songs, dances and more that not only express their concerns about issues such as substance abuse, eating disorders, teen pregnancy, etc. but also raise awareness about healthy choices and natural highs. These young people often incorporate interactive theater in some of their skits that encourage audience involvement with the characters. They have designed powerful, action-packed, and hard-hitting presentations. The Players are usually scheduled to perform at schools, parent groups, meetings of professional associations, and other community organizations or events. They have been presenting since October of 2004 and have reached a total audience of over 1,820 people at 12 venues which have included parents, teachers, pharmacists, social workers, doctors and students.

 

Train the Facilitator for Youth Empowerment Workshops

Youth Empowerment Workshop participants from across the state form a "Human Knot" at the 2004 Maine Youth Action Network Annual Conference in Bar Harbor, ME, November 2004.

These workshops are designed to introduce all ages of people to the structure and facilitation process of Project AWARE’s Youth Empowerment Workshops (YEW). We take participants through a YEW then provide a packet of information along with exercises that teach people how to facilitate these workshops. Our goal is to encourage more young people and adults to become familiar with this information and structure and use it to bring the awareness about addictions, natural highs and prescription drug abuse out to as many people as possible.
Download "Train The YEW Facilitator" Details - PDF

Project AWARE Presentations
Carl Lakari is a long time substance abuse activist with extensive experience in the field as a presenter. He works with a wide range of audiences (young people to substance abuse community to legislators) using his own personal story of substance abuse and recovery, activities that engage the audience, plus materials that give specific information about natural highs, addictions and prescription drug abuse.

Monitor and Secure Your Medicine Cabinet
“Monitor and secure your medicine cabinet” educational initiative to educate adults about youth prescription drug abuse and the need to keep all medications secure in the home.

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