Robert R. Lazar Middle School 

Grades 6–8 • Montville, New Jersey

The Ambassadors Program

Robert R. Lazar Middle School attempts to develop resilience, self-esteem, and character in its students by developing their strengths and reducing risk factors by means its Ambassadors groups. Through a Youth Community Action Grant, one such group of eighth-grade students spearheaded Purple Heart Awareness Week to provide awareness of the importance of building healthy relationships and dating abuse prevention. The goal of Project Purple Heart was to promote healthy relationships, help students realize and identify the right to have healthy relationships, help foster self-esteem, and teach students how to identify unhealthy relationships. Another group of sixth-graders called Girl to Girl shared personal struggles with each other. Girl to Girl helps students to cultivate their own voice and inspires them to reach out to their peers. Other Ambassadors Groups include Man to Man, The Balancing Act, Loss of a Loved One, and Changing Families. These student assistance and character education programs allow students to build on individual strengths while giving back to the community.