The Herren Project’s Project Purple week begins Monday

Schools and community groups across the United States will be “Going Purple” January 22-26th to support The Herren Project’s Project Purple initiative, a national anti-substance abuse awareness program.

Project Purple is an initiative of The Herren Project, a non-profit foundation established by Fall River native Chris Herren,  that assists individuals and families struggling with addiction through treatment navigation, education and mentoring. The Herren Project’s Project Purple initiative goals are to create awareness and educate the public on the epidemic of substance abuse while encouraging teens and people of all ages to make positive decisions and stand up to drugs and alcohol. The week honors those choices and helps individuals and students see they are not alone in their decision to live substance free. Communities and schools across the country are encouraged to GO Purple! to help support the mission of THP’s Project Purple Initiative.

The concept was developed when Herren spoke at a local high school and the front row of students were wearing purple shirts. After Chris shared his story, one of the purple shirts raised her hand and stood up to speak. As snickering and laughter could be heard in the auditorium, the student said, “Thank you Mr. Herren for validating what we do. We are the sober students of this high school and each year we take a pledge to not use drugs or alcohol.” Chris was captured by the courage it took to not only stand up and share the symbolism of the purple shirts, but was inspired to make a difference amongst adolescents across the United States.

Communities have celebrated the week in various ways; by turning their skylines purple, having community events, wearing purple, creating online campaigns and much more!

For more information visit www.THPprojectpurple.org or www.theherrenproject.org.