Catherine

Catherine was ready to make a commitment to being drug and alcohol free after making some poor choices. “I had started experimenting when I was pretty young, 15 years old, but I realized I had to stop smoking and drinking if I wanted to do something with my life.”

That’s when one of Catherine’s teachers brought up an opportunity to join the United Way-funded Peers with IMPACT program, which trains teens to help educate elementary and middle school students about the dangers of alcohol and drugs. Catherine says it can be hard work, but it’s important for her to help other youth understand why drugs are so dangerous.

Catherine was initially shy when she began her presentations, but as her skills improved, she became extremely self-assured and passionate about educating youth and helping them make better choices. “We are teaching them the facts, not telling them to just say no, but educating them about why you should say no and how to make the healthy choices.”

Catherine is using her new confidence as she heads into the next phase in her life. “I am going to college next year and want to own my own bakery. Being able to take a leadership role in the Peers program will help me be able to lead my employees and make my business a success.”

Health impacts every aspect of a person’s daily life. When you give to United Way, you help people, like Catherine, build brighter futures by empowering them to overcome existing challenges to achieve healthy and safe lives.