Introducing the STRENGTH Model: A Trauma-Informed Path to Healing for Girls in the Juvenile Justice System

Welcome to the STRENGTH Model Blog Series.

This series is dedicated to the girls we serve through the STRONGGirls Program—those navigating the juvenile justice system who need not only accountability, but also compassion, tools for healing, and a chance to reclaim their futures.

In our 9-week support groups, we use the STRENGTH model: a trauma-informed, mind/body framework that meets girls where they are, and helps them build the skills they need to make lasting changes. Each letter in the acronym stands for a core concept that we explore through discussion, journaling, somatic awareness, and daily practice. Together, they form a roadmap toward self-awareness, emotional regulation, resilience, and personal power.

Here’s what STRENGTH stands for:

• Space – Understanding and protecting your physical and emotional space

• Time – Learning to pause and make intentional choices

• Rhythm – Recognizing when you’re off-beat and finding your way back

• Emotions – Matching how you act with how you feel

• Needs – Identifying and advocating for what you truly need

• Goals – Creating a vision for your future and setting steps to get there

• Trust – Rebuilding safe, supportive relationships

• Help & Health – Knowing when to ask for help and how to care for the whole self

Each post in this series will explore one of these key areas, offering real-life context, practical tools, and a peek into how our girls use this model to grow stronger every day.

Why This Matters
Girls in the juvenile justice system are often carrying more than just a court case—they carry stories of trauma, abandonment, neglect, and survival. They deserve access to Restorative Justice: a system that doesn't just punish but heals. The STRENGTH model gives them the space to reflect, the tools to reset, and the courage to rewrite their stories.

We hope these posts spark reflection, inspire connection, and offer new ways to think about change—not just for the girls we serve, but for the adults who care for them.

Follow Along
Over the next several weeks, we’ll dive into each letter in the STRENGTH model, sharing insights, group practices, and ways these concepts are applied in real life. Whether you're a therapist, educator, caregiver, or advocate—there’s something here for you.

Because when we build STRENGTH, we build futures.