The Midland Area Community Foundation Youth Action Council has awarded a $10,000 grant to The ROCK Center for Youth Development supporting the Midland County Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Program. P2P is a collaborative, student-led initiative focused on raising mental health awareness, ending stigma, and shaping social norms and attitudes regarding mental illnesses in an evidence-based and hopeful manner. The program aims to decrease depression, anxiety, and suicide in youth.

Peer leaders are positive role models who learn about mental health topics and how to access resources. The program builds students’ leadership skills as they educate their peers and their community. Peer leaders play a critical role in combating this significant public health problem. Participation in the program helps students build empathy and teamwork with their peers and improves their knowledge and confidence to access mental health resources to provide general wellbeing and address mental health issues before crisis.

Join us for a keynote address, “Creating the Champion Within” with Molly Kennedy, on March 27th. Kennedy is a renowned motivational speaker and author on grit and resilience in youth. This event is organized by The ROCK Center For Youth Development and is sponsored by the United Way of Midland County. Follow us on social media to learn more.

Funding from the Midland Area Community Foundation and our community partners make the P2P program and keynote event possible. The Midland Area Community Foundation exists to cultivate the power of giving within our community, support the long-term transformation, and help ensure all residents thrive. The Midland County Youth Action Council, a component of the Midland Area Community Foundation, is a group of 6th through 12th graders from Midland County who come together to assess and meet the needs of young people in Midland County. P2P supports the Midland Area Community Foundation’s focus area of Developing Our Talent.