About PEERS
The PEERS Project is a program designed to help teens develop the skills and confidence to choose healthy behaviors and form positive relationships. Our PEERS Leaders develop and strengthen skills in peer-to-peer empowerment, leadership, and communication.
The goal of PEERS is to facilitate strong mentorship relationships between high school PEERS Leaders and their middle school peers. Each semester, our PEERS Leaders develop a presentation to show middle school teens. This presentation discusses relevant topics that our teens face today and helps the students to identify and strengthen their values and achieve their goals.
History
In 1994, St. Vincent Hospital and Health Care Center, Inc. in Indianapolis, Indiana initiated the development of an innovative positive youth development program to create a new paradigm: Instead of teenagers being the problem, they are now part of the solution. PEERS prevention models help maximize the influence or peer pressure of young role models. St. Vincent Hospital chose this peer-facilitated approach because youth development models were proving to be one of the most effective ways to constructively guide adolescent attitudes and behavior.
Why is PEERS Needed?
Research shows that involvement in risky behaviors at a young age can seriously impact decision-making as an adult. Youth are highly influenced by a desire to please their friends and to be part of the “in crowd.” It is much easier for young people to choose to avoid reckless behaviors if their friends share these values and they are empowered by fellow peers whom they can relate to. Teens have a positive influential role over younger peers when they are actually “walking the walk and talking the talk” by having healthy relationships and avoiding risky behaviors, including (but not limited to) alcohol and other drugs, and sexual activity.
How to be Part of PEERS Project
High School: any student in academically good standing who is a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior may participate. Teacher referral is required. Students must be able to sign a pledge form saying they do not take part in risky behaviors.
Middle School: if you would like PEERS Project to present to 7th and 8th graders at your middle school, please let us know so that we can connect you with a PEERS group.
Anna, Former PEERS Mentor
I believe kids should know the consequences of sex, drugs, and alcohol. I was influenced by the PEERS Group that visited my middle school and I envied how they carried themselves. As a result, I decided to become a PEERS Mentor and I really enjoyed teaching students last year. I feel like I actually made an impact. I love to make a difference in any way possible while educating younger students about abstinence.
I have decided to make a personal commitment to abstain from drugs, sex, and alcohol because I have personally witnessed its effects. I want to abstain because I believe that drugs, alcohol, and sex at this age are not worth the long-term consequences. I can’t risk drinking and having sex and becoming pregnant. I want to do bigger things before I have a family. I want to stay above bad influences, because it is the safest choice.
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PEERS Project Director, Bethany May, bmay@peersproject.org