Be Awesome Youth Coalition
Disrupting the drug culture through community collaboration.
Maricopa Youth are disconnected from family, school, and community and have limited exposure to substance abuse prevention. This puts them at high risk for substance abuse and addiction. Local trends show that the most prevalent drugs abused are e-cigarettes (vape), marijuana and alcohol. These behaviors can have long lasting consequences that limit their ability to become successful adults. Substance abuse derails families, and strains schools and communities of necessary resources. This is a coalition of local leaders and stakeholders passionate about preventing teen drug abuse before it starts. We aim to reduce teen substance abuse so they can become confident, connected, and successful youth. We currently meet on the First and Third Thursday's of the month via Zoom at 1 PM.
Please contact Priscilla Behnke to join by phone/text 520-428-7750 or by e-mail pbehnke@beawesomeyouth.life.
Teen Team
Get Real, Get Connected, Get Really Connected
If you're worried your teen's summer will consist of them just scrolling and hearting other people's experiences, join like minded peers for fun and food to make an impact on Wednesdays from 4-6pm in our Teen Lounge located at our main office at MES,18150 N. Altera Parkway. Find our sign outside the door and ring the bell. Lunch is included, there are no fees for this program.
Download the consent form and e-mail or bring with you. Register Here.
Stop saying there's nothing for teens to do in Maricopa and start sponsoring this awesome program to help us reach more teens and offer them more skills and opportunities.
Call or text 520-428-6633 or e-mail bhoman@beawesomeyouth.life for more details.
Space Camp
Mission: To master 10 universal life skills to make this world better than they found it.
An afterschool adventure for 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders that includes training at the Be Awesome Space Camp where all cadets will learn 10 universal life skills to make this world better than we found it. The Be Awesome Space Camp trainers will utilize evidence based and Arizona Department of Education approved curriculum, Too Good for Drugs. This program is age appropriate, fun, and interactive. The Be Awesome team will deliver the training sessions through a space themed after school setting that is immersive, and inspiring. Sessions are taught by trained prevention specialists. Teen staff serve as mentors or "Squad Leaders" for small groups, to both provide pro social paid opportunities for teens, and provide added value and credibility of the lessons for participants. This is currently offered to students at select schools and programs.
For more information or to inquire about expanding at your site call 520-428-7750 or e-mail pbehnke@beawesomeyouth.life.
To sponsor a student's membership or a site call 520-428-6633 or email bhoman@beawesomeyouth.life
Awesome Families
Bringing families together by understanding each other better.
Threat levels to families have never been higher. Social connections have been fading over the years, and negative influences and toxic online culture have been filling the void. The Be Awesome family workshops are designed to bring fragmented families together by enhancing communication and familial bonds through the Clifton Strengths model. This program is appropriate for anyone in the family aged 9 and over.
These workshops are weekly for three weeks and include dinner for the entire family, childcare for anyone not old enough to participate, a Clifton Strengths Assessment for all those participating (must be present to receive an assessment), and guidance from our Coach. Participants will learn about their natural talents and how they can work with each other’s strengths to improve relationships and communication between each other. Parents will better understand their child’s behaviors and motivations in addition to how they can respond.
Education Nights
Give your family an advantage against today's risks.
As parents, caretakers, and stake holders it can be overwhelming at best to keep up with all the latest regarding threats to our children’s development and wellbeing. At worst it can be devastating if our kids fall prey to the risks facing them each day. That is why at Be Awesome we work with local experts to host one night Education Events. Whether it’s a Talk-o Tuesday, or a Wednesday Wisdom (we will never run out of themed titles, so you tell us what day of the week works best for you), these events focus on topics that directly relate today’s teens, tweens, and children, and those who parent and care take for them. Topics include, but are not limited to drug and alcohol prevention, internet safety, violence prevention, scholarship preparation, and more. At Be Awesome we understand the pressures of the long commute for most residents and the barriers to attend critical information nights which is why we offer complimentary dinner for the entire family and childcare. Don’t worry about cooking and cleaning and let us wear out the littles while you learn how to keep your family safe and provide them with the best possible advantages.
To helps sponsor a night and keep Maricopa Families Healthy please contact Brandi Homan at bhoman@beawesomeyouth.life, or 520-428-7750.
Community Events
Be Connected, Be Awesome
FAMILY EVENTS: Whether we are hosting an event to bring the community together or we are supporting another event, we go above and beyond to promote a positive and fun experience for families to bond with each other, and their fellow community members. We know that Maricopa has new residents moving in daily, they are stuck in long commutes on the 347 and the idea of fitting time in an already busy schedule to get involved and connect with neighbors can be daunting. Which is why we plan and offer fun, complimentary, drop in events for the entire family. No need to plan, register, or volunteer, just show up, have a great time, and connect. Past events include Friendsgiving, Spring Brunch, Good Ol' Fashioned Dino Dance, Hocus Pocus Night.
To help sponsor an event and keep Maricopa connected please contact Brandi Homan @bhoman@beawesomeyouth.life or 520-428-6633.
TEEN EVENTS: Our teens want to connect and have fun, and we want them to connect and have fun. But sometimes it can be hard to ensure their peers are positive and the adults running and managing the activities have their best interest in mind. We've been running teen events with teens since we first started, our team is vetted, trained, and screened. Past events include Dances, Summer Socials at Ak-Chin Circle, and Basketball Tournament.
To help sponsor an event and keep Maricopa teens safe and social please contact Brandi Homan @bhoman@beawesomeyouth.life or 520-428-6633.
Donate!
Your support can make a lasting impact on our community's future by helping Be Awesome teach kids to make healthy choices and stay drug-free. Please consider making a donation today.