Millhill Trenton PEERS Collaborate with Mercer County Gang Task Force to Create Awareness Campaign with Artwork Displayed on Billboards
TRENTON, NJ (July 6, 2015) – The Mercer County Gang Task Force along with the Trenton Municipal Alliance (Mercer Council on Alcoholism & Drug Alliance) collaborated with Millhill Child & Family Development Trenton PEERS to create artwork to be used in an awareness campaign featured in three billboards in the City of Trenton.
“Millhill is excited to partner with the Gang Task Force and the Municipal Alliance to promote a healthier Trenton through positive lifestyle choice,” explains Cynthia Oberkofler, Millhill Executive Director. “Our PEERS are mentors in the community and are proud to lead this important conversation.”
Artwork created by Renata Stankowska, a junior at Ewing High School, was selected to be displayed on three billboards and all artwork created by the PEERS will be used to create a community calendar. The billboards are located at Perry Street and Route 1, Calhoun Street and Princeton Avenue and E. State Street and Monmouth Street and will be on display throughout the summer.
“We started an environmental strategy that aims to create a positive message in the community,” explains Ian Smith, Program Coordinator at the Mercer Council Alcoholism & Drug Alliance. “One billboard replaced an ad for Remy Martin. We took down the ad and replaced it with Renata’s artwork.”
Artwork was created to encourage a safe community and school environment as well as an alcohol and drug free lifestyle. The PEERS pledged to say no to substance abuse and violence and submitted artwork exploring issues such as race, drugs, making better choices, violence prevention and identity.
Trenton PEERS is a peer to peer education and support group made up of Trenton area youth ages 13-18. The PEERS provide Trenton’s most vulnerable youth with information, skills, and support needed to avoid unhealthy behaviors, gain confidence and support and develop leadership skills.
PEERS reach over 2,000 youth each year with presentations about issues facing Trenton area teens such as gang awareness, violence prevention, and substance abuse and bullying. The Trenton PEERS serve as role models among their peers in the Greater Trenton community.
Participating artists include the following: Khari Butler-Samuels, Jamira Cribb, Breyanna Francis, Luis Gasca, Harold Milton Gorvie, Kiara Ponton, David Seigel, Aolani Silas, Renata Stankowska, Milan Williams, Ashley Yanes and Joel Yanes.
