Backed exclusively by Nationwide as the National Presenting Sponsor, the initiative centers on prevention through conversation, equipping families with evidence-based tools to guide teens toward safer choices. At its core is the Prom Promise Contract, a symbolic yet practical pledge signed by both parents and teenagers, affirming their joint commitment to a substance-free prom night.
“Prom is a milestone—an evening teens remember for years to come,” said Stacey D. Stewart, MADD’s Chief Executive. “We want those memories to be joyful, not tragic. This campaign empowers parents to start vital conversations that can literally save lives.”
The campaign is an extension of MADD’s broader Power of Parents program, which provides handbooks and conversation guides for parents and guardians of middle and high school students. Developed with Dr. Robert Turrisi, a professor of Biobehavioral Health at Penn State, the program is rooted in years of research. A five-year evaluation found that teens whose parents used the program’s strategies were significantly more likely to avoid risky behavior, including driving under the influence or accepting rides from intoxicated drivers.
Nationwide, which has partnered with MADD on the Power of Parents initiative for several years, emphasized the program’s alignment with the company’s mission.
“Ensuring safety on our roadways is a responsibility we take seriously,” said Natalie Furniss, a MADD board member and lead counsel for Nationwide’s Corporate Operations & Litigation team. “By partnering with MADD, we are not only protecting drivers and passengers but helping families make choices that reflect care, awareness, and long-term well-being.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, underage drinking contributes to approximately 4,300 deaths each year in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2022, 30 percent of young drivers aged 15 to 20 who were killed in motor vehicle crashes had blood alcohol concentrations above 0.01 percent.
The “Prom Promise” campaign is designed to interrupt that narrative by promoting early intervention and candid dialogue—particularly at a moment when peer pressure and social rituals are at their peak.
Through school-based outreach, downloadable resources, and family engagement, MADD and Nationwide aim to make prom night not only unforgettable but also safe.
For more information about the Prom Promise campaign or to download the pledge contract, visit madd.org/power-of-parents.