Providing safe, drug-free youth activities for almost 13 years, Freedom4U, a South Bay non-profit, holds many events and programs every year for high school students to attend and use to their advantage. Inspired to make a difference in the community, Freedom4U director and PVHS alum,  Dr. Greg Allen, thought that it was essential to educate students on the dangers of substance abuse while building knowledge and social skills at the same time.

Back in 2002, Dr. Allen looked around his own city and recognized that students were only meeting at house parties where alcohol and other drugs were present, so he created a survey for teens throughout the community. Once he received the astonishing results, he learned that teenagers would rather be among friends where they shared a common enjoyment for music and art than experiment with drugs on the weekend. Dr. Allen then developed Freedom4U to reduce mischievous and dangerous behavior among teens, creating a safe and supervised environment for students to enjoy. Some Freedom4U programs include The Annex, which is a supervised space shared with the Peninsula Library where students grades 6-12 can come in and study as well as get homework done or simply hang out and play video games. Changes Life Skills is another program sponsored by Freedom4U that teaches teens and even parents life skills through peer mentorship and healthy activities.

Along with other various contests that Freedom4U presents every year, their annual music contest in particular has been consistently popular. This year, Freedom4U is teaming up with Palos Verdes High School for their Teen Idol Contest held on February 19. Student entries are free and must include a maximum of a one minute video singing either A Capella or with an instrument. The video must be uploaded online through a private YouTube submission by February 1. Contestants may have one person playing an instrument for them, however no soundtracks are allowed. To be eligible for the Teen Idol Contest, contestants must also show proof of their high school student identification during the time that the video is recorded. The contest will be held in the Palos Verdes High School Multiple Purpose Room and will begin promptly at 7:30pm. The audience will be judging and the selected first place winner will receive a scholarship of 1,000 dollars. Second and third place are not going home empty handed either. They, too, will also receive a scholarship of either 500 or 250 dollars. Aside from music, Freedom4U will also hold their an annual photography contest in the spring. Anyone with a passion for photography is welcome to submit an entry. The submission deadline will be announced later in the semester.

Freedom4U succeeds in making a positive impact in the lives of teens and people in the community. The non-profit hopes to continue their work with South Bay high school students by offering them fun activities, interactive and educational workshops, and many artistic contests for them to enjoy.