"In My Shoes" Art Exhibit Shows Pressures Teens Face Today

“In My Shoes,” an art exhibit to help parents understand teenagers’ points of view about the pressures they face and how they are confronted with the potential of use, and abuse, of substances will be featured at the Robert Crown Center for Health Education during National Drug Facts Week, Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, and extended through Feb. 6th.

Developed by teen patients at Rosecrance’s adolescent campus in Rockford, “In My Shoes” displays shoes that have been painted and decorated by teens to tell their story about substance use. From shoe selection to showcase, the process of creating shoe art is a meaningful experience in that each shoe is unique and tells a teen’s story about addiction, recovery, and most important, their hopes and dreams for the future.

The exhibit will also be part of a community open house taking place from 10 a.m - 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Robert Crown Center, which will feature activities, presentations and screenings to raise awareness about substance use and prevention.

“In My Shoes” serves as an entry point for discussion about the critical importance of taking steps to prevent any level of substance use among teens once parents learn more about what it is like to walk in a teen’s shoes. More information about the exhibit can be found at www.roscecrance.org/inmyshoes and a brochure with specific tips for parents called “Teens and Weed: Still a Big Deal” is available at www.rosecrance.org/teens-weed.