YouthSpeak Performance Charity is once again planning a youth drug awareness conference, AWAKE on March 3rd, 2023 at Valleyview Alliance Church, Newmarket for approximately 100 students in York Region schools. We had provided this event for 10 years, the 10th being 2020 and we are excited to finally bring it back after a difficult 3 years, especially for youth.

The return of this youth-friendly day is very timely in light of the tremendous increase in substance use issues as a result of our current times. Youth need all the support, positive messaging and connection with others that we can provide in order to inspire, educate and engage them in healthy choices.

The focus of this day is to create awareness about the effects of substance use including drugs and alcohol by providing an opportunity for students to hear youth speakers share their personal stories, visit interactive booths with community resources, as well build rapport with adult role models such as police, teachers and youth counsellors. Students are also engaged in a range of workshops that offer a “try-it” experience of fun and healthy activities such as breakdance, graffiti art, martial arts, belly dance, crafts and poetry-
writing.

In the 10 years of providing this event, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive for all youth and caring adults - it has been a great way to bring the community together in a positive way.