I got to talk with Jared Blake (former contestant on NBC’s The Voice) and Jared Weeks (former lead singer of Saving Abel) yesterday as they were getting ready to perform in Deadwood for Winterfest: Rock for the Kids. All of the proceeds from last night’s show went to Youth & Family Services.
Here’s the interview:
Plus, Jared Blake talks with a lot of schools throughout the year. He’s been to over 200 schools with his Live To Be Youth Program. He talks, sings a few songs, tells his personal story about drug abuse, and how he over came those obstacles.
He doesn’t tell kids what to do. He empowers them to look with and find what is truly important to them. He challenges them to look at those who have achieved what they want. Who are they? How did they do it? How do you get it? It’s a program of strength, hope and the work/education it takes to accomplish their goals.
Here’s more info on the Live To Be Youth Program:
Don’t drink and drive – We’ve all heard this piece of advice, but how many of us have experienced the devastating effects firsthand when someone chooses to ignore this common-sense warning? Country music artist Jared Blake, from NBC’s season 1 of The Voice, has been sharing a “living above” approach to life to kids around the country with his Live To Be youth program. His conviction to spread this message has only grown after surviving a head-on collision with a drunk driver.
On May 9th, Jared Blake and his wife found their world turned upside down when a drunk driver was going the wrong way and crashed into them going 60mph in Nashville.
Miraculously, everyone made it out alive, but Jared’s wife, Jennifer Blake, suffered multiple injuries including a fractured spine. She shared her frightening experience with friends and family on Facebook as she began recovery.
“We were on an interstate change near downtown, on a curve, and by the time we saw headlights it was too late. We were on a bridge lucky no flips happened, but that also meant we hit almost straight on. It was terrifying and I still feel like this was all a dream. I only remember a horrible burning smell and burning throats and screaming to get out of the vehicle. Jared somehow got out and bent my door open to lay me on the ground. I couldn’t move but just stared at the stars knowing my eyes were open and I could hear so I was alive.”
She ends the post with some advice and words of encouragement,
“Our seatbelt and airbags saved us! Please use them, always! … If you want to do something, do it. Life is too short to worry about anything at all. Most of you know me well enough to know that I’m pretty good at living that way and can’t wait to get back to living.”
Inspired by this real-life experience, Jared Blake gets serious about drunk driving in his new video for Don’t Let Her Be Gone. You can check out the music video below:
The idea to develop this program began when it was announced on The Voice that Jared was a recovering addict. Soon after, many viewers were reaching out to him on social media, leaving messages asking for personal advice on recovery or how to help struggling friends or family members. Jared reached out to them in a limited way, fearing that he wasn’t the one they should be talking to. Everyone’s road to recovery is very different, so he referred these people to professionals that could provide the necessary help. He was also approached by several producers of different TV shows designed to help people go to recovery but was never able to fully put himself behind the projects.
Then he had an epiphany. Having six children of his own and a strong desire to support youth, he realized the best impact he could have is to reach out before there’s a problem – before they become an addict. Let children know that no one expects to become an addict; that they don’t have their first beer or go to their first party or go to college with the expectation that they are going to become an alcoholic and ruin their life.
What Jared teaches kids through his Live To Be program is that whether they’re drinking or trying recreational drugs, or really making any negative decision that prevents them from being where they want to be or being the person they want to be, that they need to stop and think – “Am I doing what’s best? Am I being the person I want to be? I know that I have the power.”
Once he tells them that they have the power, now they have to do something with it and be responsible for it. It puts the power back in their hands, making kids feel empowered to make their own choice — and to make it a good one.
If you would like Jared Blake to visit your school with Live To Be or to learn more about the program, visit livingtobe.org.
Want to help bring Jared Blake to more schools across the nation to share this powerful message? Get Involved.
Visit their education partner Treatment-Centers.net for questions and information about drugs, alcohol, effects and treatment resources at http://treatment-centers.net. Call 844-812-HOPE to speak with a counselor now.
Watch the video below to see Jared Blake’s 2017 Nashville Live To Be tour:
