PEERS PROJECT OF INDIANA INC

The PEERS Project encourages kids to think long-term - to plan for their future and set goals. We aren't just telling kids to stay away from sex, alcohol, tobacco, and other reckless behaviors, but we truly encourage them to set both short term and long term goals and shoot for the stars. We want them to make healthy choices so they can live a long, healthy, happy, and successful life. We want them to plan and prepare and go after their dreams. In 30 school districts in Indiana, high school PEERS Mentors teach healthy relationship lessons to younger students. They become a powerful influence for good as they exemplify character qualities and talk to younger peers about the importance of making good decisions. The schools allow the high school mentors to present their positive lessons to the younger students during the school day, often during health class. Lessons are available for sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth grades. Since school budgets are tight enough already, schools receive the program at no cost. PEERS role models are selected by their school's administration based on their grades, reputation and commitment to a healthy lifestyle. And unlike adults that deliver similar lessons, these students are in the schools every day walking the walk and providing a positive example. These mentors are also taken more seriously by their peers because they can personally claim to know what it's like to be a teen today.