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Our Program
Unique Program Model
Finish Strong's program model is based on the National Wellness Institute's Six Dimensions of Wellness - physical, emotional, social, intellectual, vocational, and spiritual. High levels of wellbeing in young people can help them master adversity and act as a protective factor against some of the challenges that often arise during these years. Studies show that young people with higher wellbeing can manage their emotions and behaviors, have higher levels of physical and mental health, enjoy positive relationships, apply themselves at school and work, participate in activities that interest them and have optimism about the future.
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Non-Contact Boxing & Healthy Choices
When the nervous system responds to trauma, excess energy from the traumatic event often results in emotional dysregulation. Future experiences that trigger memories of the event can send the mind and body into overdrive, re-sparking a response to a threat that no longer exists. Non-contact boxing is used to help young people experience bodily sensations associated with their trauma so that they can self-regulate rather than react. Mindfulness techniques are practiced to increase awareness and strengthen the use of new behaviors. Healthy lifestyle interventions are applied to reduce risk-taking behaviors and encourage positive choices.
Social & Academic Support
Finish Strong provides developmentally and culturally appropriate evidence-based social support and academic supplementation for young people dealing with the impact of traumatic stress exposure. Staff and mentors nurture safe, secure, and trusting therapeutic relationships that support the trauma recovery process to ensure participant progress. Research shows that traumatic stress can diminish concentration, memory, organizational and language abilities young people need to succeed in school or on the job. Finish Strong provides individualized support to increase academic success, or prepare for a job or higher leaning.
Social & Emotional Skills
Social-emotional skills include the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for young people to recognize and regulate their emotions and behaviors, establish and maintain positive relationships, make responsible decisions, solve challenging situations, and set and achieve positive goals. Finish Strong works with young people during individual and group activities to help develop and reinforce these essential skills. Restorative circles and other group activities are used to help young people build trust, practice skills, express feelings, explore experiences, foster self-esteem and form positive racial identities. Young people work with mentors and staff to set attainable goals that, when achieved, are recognized and celebrated.
Mentoring & Community Engagement
Culturally responsive mentorship is an important part of Finish Strong’s program success. Trauma is often embedded in relationships, and young people that have exposure to trauma often have little understanding of what a supportive relationship looks like. By modeling a healthy relationship, mentors can provide a healthy pattern for future interactions in personal relationships. Finish Strong works with participants and family members to help connect them to needed community services and to inform them of upcoming events. Finish Strong partners with local colleges and programs to bring new experiences and needed resources to our young people to make new social contacts and provide a unique learning experience.
