Building Resilient
Communities.
Sources of Strength in an evidence-based, strength-focused program that empowers teens and adults to build resilience, connection, and help-seeking behaviors.
About This Training
Strengthening What Protects Us.
Sources of Strength is a best-practice, evidence-based youth mental health promotion and suicide prevention program used in schools and communities across North America.
Using a strength-based, upstream approach, the program helps young people identify and build upon the protective factors that support mental wellness and reduce the risk of adverse outcomes such as suicide, violence, bullying, and substance misuse.
Rather than focusing solely on problems or risk factors, Sources of Strength helps youth recognize the people, relationships, activities, and personal strengths they can draw upon during difficult times. By strengthening these sources of support, young people become more resilient, connected, and equipped to navigate life’s challenges.
Key Outcomes
Wellness Is the Goal.
Sources of Strength brings together student Peer Leaders and caring Adult Advisors in a collaborative model that strengthens school and community culture through positive influence and connection.
Through active learning, discussion, and shared experiences, participants learn to:
- Build healthy coping skills
- Recognize and develop personal strengths
- Seek help when facing challenges
- Strengthen relationships with trusted adults
- Support peers in positive ways
- Foster belonging and inclusion
By increasing resilience, connection, help-seeking, and protective factors, Sources of Strength creates environments where young people feel supported long before a crisis occurs.
Wellness becomes the goal, and prevention becomes the outcome.
Training Options
Bringing Sources Of Strength To Schools And Communities.
School-Based Training — The Ryan Bartel Foundation’s trainers support Sources of Strength implementation in secondary schools throughout Loudoun County, VA.
Through our longstanding partnership with Loudoun County Public Schools, we have helped train Peer Leaders and Adult Advisors since 2016, supporting middle and high schools as they build cultures of connection, resilience, and help-seeking.
Community Training — While Sources of Strength is most commonly implemented in schools, its principles are equally valuable for families, youth-serving organizations, and community groups.
For those without access to school-based training, the Ryan Bartel Foundation offers community training workshops for both teens and adults. These engaging 2–3 hour sessions introduce key Sources of Strength concepts through interactive activities, discussion, laughter, and shared experiences that promote connection, resilience, and wellbeing.
Who is this for
Building Stronger Support Systems.
Parents & Caregivers.
Learn practical, strength-based approaches that develop trusting adult-peer relationships, strengthen family bonds, encourage healthy communication, and support help-seeking behaviors.
Teens.
Explore personal strengths, build resilience, and learn how trusted relationships and positive support can help navigate challenges. They become peer leaders who leverage their voices and influence to create positive social change.
Schools & Youth Organizations.
Ideal for schools, athletic teams, scout troops, youth groups, leadership programs, and other organizations seeking to strengthen connection, belonging, and youth wellbeing.
Our Trainers
Meet Our Sources Of Strength Trainers
Lacey Rosenbaum, Ph.D.
Program Director
Dr. Lacey Rosenbaum serves as Program Director for the Ryan Bartel Foundation and leads the Foundation’s FORT Facilitator Training Program. She oversees the development, training, certification, and ongoing support of facilitators who bring FORT experiences to teens across schools and communities. Lacey is passionate about equipping caring adults with the skills, confidence, and support needed to create safe, engaging spaces where young people can build connection, resilience, and hope.
As a psychologist specializing in trauma-informed approaches, resilience promotion, and youth mental health, Lacey has spent her career helping organizations strengthen youth well-being through prevention-focused programs and mental health education. She is a Sources of Strength trainer and a National Trainer for Mental Health First Aid.
Prior to joining the Ryan Bartel Foundation, Lacey led several national mental health initiatives focused on youth mental health promotion, suicide prevention, resilience, and mental health literacy through organizations including the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and the American Psychological Association. She holds a PhD in International Psychology with a concentration in Trauma Services from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from George Mason University.
Abby Ridge-Anderson, Ph.D.
Program manager
Abby Ridge-Anderson has a PhD in developmental psychology with expertise in adolescent development, trauma-informed care, and adolescent suicide prevention. She has extensive experience working with teens and families across foster care, school-based mental health programs, and clinical settings, and supports youth across several RBF programs, including The FORT At School program, The FORT Hangout and as a Sources of Strength trainer.
Kirsten Shabanowitz, RYT-500, E-RYT 200, YACEP
Kirsten Shabanowitz is a Sources of Strength trainer who supports student and adult leader trainings in Loudoun County Public Schools through the Ryan Bartel Foundation. Passionate about helping young people build resilience, connection, and well-being, she brings a strengths-based approach to fostering healthy school communities.
Complementing her work in prevention and wellness, Kirsten is the owner of Kiss of Yoga, LLC, where she provides yoga, meditation, workplace wellness programs, retreats, and community workshops. With more than a decade of experience as a yoga and meditation teacher, she is dedicated to helping people cultivate self-awareness, emotional well-being, and meaningful connection through mindful practices. Her work emphasizes the connection between body, mind, and breath while celebrating individuality and providing practical tools that support lifelong wellness.
FAQs
Sources of Strength focuses on building resilience, connection, and protective factors through a strength-based, peer-led model. Mental Health First Aid teaches participants how to recognize and respond when someone may be experiencing a mental health challenge.
Community trainings are designed for teens, parents, caregivers, youth-serving professionals, and community groups interested in strengthening resilience and mental wellness.
No. Sources of Strength is a prevention and wellness program that helps participants build strengths, connection, and help-seeking behaviors. It is not a clinical treatment program.
Most community trainings are approximately 2–3 hours and can be adapted based on the needs of the group and audience.
Yes. Schools, youth organizations, athletic teams, faith communities, and other groups can schedule private trainings for a minimum of 15 participants.
The program focuses on strengthening protective factors such as trusted relationships, positive coping skills, belonging, and help-seeking behaviors. Research shows these strengths help young people navigate challenges and reduce the risk of adverse outcomes.
