Project Amp

Project Amp serves youth ages 13 – 17. Throughout design, delivery, and research, Project Amp centers and values the voices, lived experiences, skills, and strengths, of youth and young adults.

Project Amp is not counseling or a medical or behavioral health treatment program.

Why Project Amp?

LUK recognizes that there is no “one true” recovery path; instead, it’s a winding journey full of twists and turns. This is especially true for today’s youth and their unique challenges. LUK’s Project Amp connects youth at risk of substance use with skilled young adult Amp mentors who know how to navigate mental wellness and substance use.

Amp Mentors who share similar experiences utilize their own recovery knowledge to encourage youth to strive for a fulfilling future. Amp Mentors also educate youth and their supports on ways to navigate the “now”.

Setting realistic and satisfying goals, identifying strengths, and starting to realize what causes setbacks are some of the major goals between youth and their Amp Mentor. Having honest and open conversations about life experiences and each youth’s unique needs is key to the program’s success.

The Project Amp model is flexible to meet the needs of youth and can be completed over 4-
6 sessions. Each session is an hour long. The time and location for Project Amp sessions can accommodate the youth and their supports.

Project Amp is the starting point for youth exploring alternatives to substance use. By
the end of the short-term program, youth will be empowered and equipped to face their
challenges as independent changemakers–while also knowing where to find the support
they need.

Project Amp is also intended to lessen the burden on clinicians, doctors, and school counselors while providing youth with a safe, near-age adult to talk to. Youth substance use is a public health crisis that requires all of us to work together towards a solution.