UNITE Clubs

UNITE Clubs – designed for students in grades 4-12 – help youth develop healthy attitudes and behaviors by learning and practicing life skills; enhancing academic performance; connecting peers, adults, communities; and learning through service. Youth are involved in developing and conducting activities designed to help make their schools and communities healthy and drug-free, as well as mentoring younger students.

Resources

About UNITE Clubs

Operation UNITE recommends that clubs be broken down by grades – elementary, middle and high – because children are often more comfortable around others of the same age. Club members agree to educate themselves and their peers in the importance of remaining free of harmful substances and to help raise awareness about the dangers of substance misuse and/or abuse.

Registered UNITE Clubs can be reimbursed up to $1,000 per school year for allowable resources to assist with projects and activities. Each club must participate in:

  • At least one club activity of their choice
  • At least one mentoring activity
  • At least one community service project

UNITE Clubs operate like any other club or organization. They must be authorized through the principal and have a school staff member assigned as a sponsor. Clubs should meet at least monthly during pre-approved school times or in an after-school setting if transportation is provided.

No student should be denied membership because of past drug use or reputation. In fact, discussions of past substance use is strongly discouraged; the most important consideration is that all members be committed to being drug-free.

While the challenges of youth development are both immense and complex, school systems have an ability to instill deep, lasting changes in people’s lives. Research shows that teens are starting to experiment with drugs at earlier ages. Every young person is at risk.

The use of illicit drugs has serious costs for young people. Misuse of even legal drugs can have harmful consequences. Not only can substance misuse impact judgment and lead to involvement in other risky actions, it may also impair a young person’s ability to reach his or her goals by slowing academic progress, impairing athletic performance, and affecting the ability to function in the workplace.

UNITE Club Members By Year

Click on school year to see the list of registered UNITE Clubs.

 

School Year Clubs Counties Students
2023-24 (2-9-24) 139 30 11,058
2022-23 126 26 7,317
2021-22 141 25 7,934
2020-21 135 25 6,676
2019-20 165 26 9,462
2018-19 146 25 10,215
2017-18 127 23 9,719
2016-17 96 24 7,068
2015-16 96 22 7,440
2014-15 88 25 7,528
2013-14 105 26 8,639
2012-13 118 26 9,472
2011-12 95 23 6,841
2010-11 113 28 6,762
2009-10 121 31 6,414
2008-09 79 25 3,676
2007-08 121 29 6,891
2006-07 98 28 5,346+
2005-06 33 18 2,135+

“I Am UNITE” Scholarships

Privately-funded $1,500 scholarships to be used for post-secondary education expenses are available to high school seniors who have been involved in UNITE Clubs, Camp UNITE, or who have been impacted by substance abuse.

UNITE Clubs of the Year

UNITE Club

“UNITE Club of the Year” winners for the 2022-23 school year have been selected. Each of the 11 winning clubs were chosen for their outstanding efforts and accomplishments as submitted in a scrapbook showing their activities, service projects, and mentoring activities completed by club members throughout the school year.

These winning clubs are eligible for an additional $500 in funding during the 2023-24 school year:

  • Adams Middle School (Floyd County) *
  • Evarts Elementary/Middle School (Harlan County) *
  • Harlan Elementary School, grade 4 (Harlan County) *
  • Hayes Lewis Elementary School, grades 4-8 (Leslie County)
  • Hunter Hills Elementary School, grades 4-5 (Laurel County) *
  • Inez Elementary School, grades 4-5 (Martin County) *
  • Mullins Elementary, grade 8 (Pike County) *
  • Phelps Elementary School, grades 4-5 (Pike County) *
  • Pikeville High School (Pike County) *
  • Rockcastle County Middle School (Rockcastle County) *
  • Southern Elementary School, grade 4 (Pulaski County) *

* View photos of award presentations.

2023-24 Club Forms

Please use these updated UNITE Club Forms when registering for the 2023-24 school year. All clubs are required to submit new registration forms each school year.

Registration deadlines:

  • Friday, October 20, 2023
  • Friday, December 1, 2023
  • Friday, February 2, 2024

Club Handbook

Updated 11-9-2023

Drug-Free Pledge Certificate

Updated 11-9-2023

Available as 8.5″x11″ full-color certificate

Club Registration Form

Project/Activity Proposal Form

Form updated 10-17-2023

Meeting/Activity Report Form

Reimbursement and Payment Request Form

Volunteer Service Form

Service Hours Report Form

Scrapbook Judging Rubric

New 11-9-2023