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TWHS PTO presents an evening with Chris Herren on Thursday, January 21

Published 11/16/2015

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas - The Woodlands High School PTO is proud to present an evening with Chris Herren on Thursday, January 21 at 7 pm at The Woodlands Church, One Fellowship Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77384. This is a free event open to the public.

Schools and community groups across the United States are “Going Purple” 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 Chris Herren, former NBA basketball player, motivational speaker, author and sobriety advocate, 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 concept was developed when Chris Herren, a former professional basketball player who struggled with substance abuse throughout his basketball career, 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.

Mr. Herren came to The Woodlands High School campus last year the when school’s own Project Purple club won a video competition that rewarded them and the school with a personal visit and presentation. The students, faculty and parents that attended this presentation were so impressed with Chris Herren’s presentation, the PTO has arranged for Chris Herren to return to The Woodlands to speak at Woodlands Church so that all in the community can hear his message. Mr. Herren seeks not only to help people that may have started down a path of substance abuse, but also to promote living a substance-free live. Just be you, isn’t that enough? Mr. Herren suggests that casual weekend drinking among teens can open doors that one may not be able to close. When Mr. Herren spoke to TWHS students last year, his talk was so powerful that he had each student’s full attention (a difficult feat when speaking to teens.) TWHS PTO also wants parents/guardians to hear this talk since some adults provide their child and more significantly, their child’s friends, with alcohol at parties and events like prom.

Chris Herren has spoken to numerous high schools, colleges (University of Houston, University of Texas/Austin) and professional sports organizations (including the Houston Texans) over the past 3 years and The Woodlands High School is proud to be a part of that list. For an example of what you will hear on January 21, 2016, click HERE

For anyone that has already opened the door and headed down a path of substance abuse, there are plans to have area recovery groups and services available in the lobby after the presentation.

The Herren Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance in taking the first steps toward recovery and a life of sobriety, educational programs and resources to increase awareness on the signs of addiction and bring hope for a better tomorrow.

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