Athlete Resilience Coalition (ARC)Â is a youth-focused prevention initiative designed to empower young athletes to build resilience, make healthy choices, and become leaders in the substance-free movement.
ARC gives youth opportunities to grow beyond their sport by participating in prevention events, leadership activities, and educational sessions that strengthen both their mindset and their future.
Our mission is simple:
Build strong athletes. Build strong leaders. Build a substance-free generation.
What ARC Offers Youth
ARC members can:
- Participate in prevention-focused events
- Attend educational workshops to increase knowledge about substance use and its impact on performance
- Develop leadership and communication skills
- Join a positive peer movement centered around resilience and healthy choices
- Represent their team and community as substance-free role models
ARC is tailored specifically toward youth and student-athletes who want to protect their performance, their health, and their future.
How Youth Can Join
ARC members can:
- Be a part of the movement through your school, team, or organization
- Attend ARC events and leadership activities
- Commit to promoting healthy choices within your team
Youth can join as individuals or as part of their team.
Parent Involvement
Parents are essential partners in prevention.
Parents can:
- Volunteer at ARC events
- Help spread prevention information to other families
- Share ARC opportunities with coaches and school staff
- Encourage ongoing conversations at home about healthy choices
We encourage families to explore trusted prevention resources such as:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA for Teens & Parents)
- Partnership to End Addiction
These organizations provide research-based guidance on youth substance use prevention.
For Coaches & Athletic Programs
Coaches play a powerful role in shaping team culture.
ARC can partner with your program by:
- Speaking briefly with athletes before or after practices
- Providing short prevention-focused team talks
- Attending games to set up informational tables
- Hosting workshops or team leadership sessions
Our goal is to support coaches — not add extra work — by bringing prevention directly to your athletes in a positive, performance-centered way.
Join the Movement
Prevention works best when youth, parents, coaches, and communities stand together.
If you would like to:
- Bring ARC to your team
- Volunteer as a parent
- Schedule a team talk
- Have ARC attend a game or event
Contact : Harlee Whittemore via email at Harlee@cartercountydrugprevention.org
