What happens when you hand teens the mic and trust them to lead conversations about dating, boundaries, and respect? At Lawrence High School, you get a powerful, peer-led movement that’s shifting school culture—and preparing students for life beyond graduation.
Younity’s Peer Educator Program, led by Prevention & Community Educator Grace Flagler and Counselor Advocate Heather Horvath, MA, LPC, gives high school students the tools and training to become campus leaders in violence prevention. What began as a small, informal virtual committee during the pandemic has evolved into a structured, high-impact program rooted in education, connection, and advocacy.
Last year’s cohort of eight peer educators at Lawrence High School launched projects that reached hundreds of their classmates. From designing affirming posters for Women’s History Month to presenting at Planned Parenthood’s “Spill the Tea” program, their initiatives were creative, inclusive, and entirely student-driven. But one initiative, the Purple Out, was especially memorable.
Held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Purple Out transformed a Friday night football game into a powerful show of solidarity. Several weeks prior to that night, peer educators gave a presentation to the football team, explaining why they were asking them to wear purple. The players responded enthusiastically, donning purple gear alongside a sea of purple in the stands. “It was such a visible, community-based way to raise awareness,” Grace said. “And it worked.”
The impact was immediate. Other fall sports teams—such as tennis and soccer—began asking why they hadn’t been included. “Why didn’t we get a Purple Out?” they asked. This year, peer educators plan to expand the event to the entire school. “It’s a perfect example of how a simple, student-led action can ripple outward,” said Heather. “It opened up space for more conversations.”
That peer-to-peer dynamic is the heart of the program—and it’s what makes it so effective. Teens are more likely to hear and internalize difficult messages when they come from someone who understands their world. “High school students are more likely to listen to their friends than adults,” Heather explained. “Our peer educators understand the culture of their school in a way we simply can’t.”
Each school has its own social climate, language, and unwritten rules. Peer educators are uniquely positioned to navigate these realities and speak in a way that feels authentic to their classmates. “They know what they can and can’t say, and how to say it,” Grace explained. “They know what the administration is likely to allow, they know what’s already working, and they know what kind of messaging their peers will actually hear. That cultural fluency is something no adult can replicate.” Grace emphasized that the goal isn’t to impose an external agenda, but to collaborate with schools in ways that respect and reflect their existing culture. “We’re not coming in to tell schools what to do—we’re here to listen, adapt, and support what works for their students, their values, and their environment,” she said.
This age group is especially important. Most teens begin forming romantic relationships in high school, often with little guidance on what constitutes healthy or safe relationships. Early experiences with dating, boundaries, and peer pressure can have lasting effects. By reaching students before they head off to college or enter the workforce, the program provides them with essential tools to navigate relationships, advocate for themselves and others, and lay the foundation for a future free from abuse.
Peer educators undergo thorough and developmentally appropriate training. During summer sessions, students learn the basics of domestic and sexual violence, consent, boundaries, power and control, and how to recognize red flags in unhealthy relationships. They learn to spot early warning signs—like jealousy, possessiveness, isolation from friends, manipulation, and pressure around sex. They’re also taught how to support someone experiencing abuse and what to say as a bystander, such as: “I’m here for you,” or “That doesn’t sound healthy—have you thought about talking to someone?” They’re trained not to act as counselors or fixers, but to listen without judgment and help their peers connect to trusted adults and support services.
The group even created and led a bystander intervention presentation, offering classmates practical strategies for what to do if they witness something concerning. “They talked about how to interrupt safely, how to check in with someone afterward, and how to offer help without pressure,” said Heather. “It was smart, realistic, and teen-driven.”
Peer educators are also introduced to the full scope of Younity’s services and taught how to use inclusive language and consider diverse cultural perspectives so everyone feels seen and safe. They engage in role plays, brainstorm outreach strategies, and shape their school’s approach to awareness and prevention.
Returning peer educators are invited to help train the incoming group, deepening their own knowledge and leadership skills. “We’re not just handing them a script,” Grace said. “We’re equipping them to lead conversations, create presentations, and respond thoughtfully to what their peers are experiencing.”
As a result, students at Lawrence are now engaging more openly in conversations about boundaries and healthy relationships. While formal outcome data is forthcoming, the shift in tone is already apparent. “Our peer educators aren’t just talking about these topics,” Grace said. “They’re prioritizing them.”
One particularly powerful moment came during the group’s end-of-year celebration. “They all called it a sisterhood,” Grace recalled. “Watching them support each other and create a safe space for dialogue—it was emotional. That sense of community is just as important as the education itself.”
The benefits extend well beyond high school. Presenting at community events and discussing Title IX rights helps teens develop leadership and public speaking skills that prepare them for college life. They also learn about the changes in college relationships—such as greater independence, parties, alcohol, and less parental oversight—and how to protect themselves while respecting others. “We’re teaching them to recognize red flags early, not only for themselves but for their friends too,” Grace said. “It’s about prevention, but it’s also about empowerment.”
Looking ahead, the goal is twofold: deepen the program’s presence at Lawrence and bring it to other schools across Mercer County. But that expansion requires champions—students, teachers, or administrators who believe in prevention and want to bring it to their school.
And while current participants earn community service hours and college recommendation letters, Younity hopes to secure funding for student stipends in the future. “They deserve to be compensated for their time,” Heather noted. “They’re doing real work.”
At its core, the Peer Educator Program is about shifting culture and reducing harm before it happens, one conversation at a time. But it’s also deeply personal for the educators leading it.
For Heather, the work hits close to home. “When I was in high school, I experienced dating violence,” she shared. “That’s why I chose to become a counselor—so I could be there for students, listen to them, and create a safe space. This is a tough culture to grow up in. Teens need someone who sees them and supports them.”
Grace, too, is driven by a profound belief in the potential of young people. “Teenagers are vastly underestimated when it comes to the kind of change they can make,” she said. “Our peer educators are passionate, insightful, and deeply committed. They make this work feel hopeful. They’re not just the future—they’re shaping the present.”
Want to bring the Peer Educator Program to your school?
Younity is actively looking to expand. If you’re a school administrator, counselor, or educator interested in equipping students with tools to lead conversations about healthy relationships, boundaries, and respect, we’d love to partner with you.
Are you a student who wants to make a difference?
You don’t have to wait to be asked. If you’re passionate about creating a safer, more supportive school environment, your voice is powerful. Talk to a trusted teacher or counselor and encourage them to connect with us, or reach out to us directly. We’ll support you every step of the way.
To learn more or explore bringing the program to your school, contact Grace Flagler at education@younitynj.org.
By empowering young people to lead the conversation, we’re not just addressing violence—we’re preventing it. Together, we are stronger than abuse.
