Peer Group Connection (PGC) is a school-based, primary prevention program that was developed in 1979 to help guide freshmen through the transition into high school and to provide peer support and team mentoring to adolescents. PGC taps the power of peer influence to help teenagers cope with the myriad of challenges and pressures associated with entering high school. It is a curriculum-integrated, life skills program that operates as an accredited leadership course in more than 120 culturally diverse high schools. The PGC curriculum addresses the multiple issues of substance abuse and violence prevention, leadership development, and character education. It encourages students to build competence in critical thinking, decision-making, conflict resolution, self-motivation, and resilience.