“Dream Big” Art Exhibit – Frederick County

“Dream Big” is the theme for this year’s annual “Kids Like Us” exhibit, which displays works of art from the Summer Art Adventure Camp held by the Kids Like Us program. Dream Big promotes community dialogue about substance use. The art exhibit is a way for kids coming from homes with substance abuse to express themselves and to make the local communities aware of the effects substance abuse has on young lives. Exhibits are displayed in two locations annually in Frederick County.

Kids Like Us is a counseling support program founded in Frederick County and is a collaborative effort between the Behavioral Health Services of the Frederick County Health Department and the Frederick County School System. Its mission is to break the cycle of addiction by identifying and engaging youth who come from homes with substance use issues. These students participate in a series of sessions, led by counselors from Kids Like Us, designed to boost confidence while dealing with issues at home and to help students grow in positive ways. These students also are given an opportunity to attend a Summer Art Adventure Camp where they use art to express themselves.

Kids Like Us is the 2017 recipient of the National Exemplary Award for Innovative Substance Abuse Prevention Programs, Practices, and Policies from the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors.

Interested in learning more? Contact:
Julie Merchant, LCPAT, ATR-BC
Kids Like Us Director
350 Montevue Lane
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-3281
health.frederickcountymd.gov/212/Kids-Like-Us