Strive for Strength (S4S) prepares teens and young adults for adulthood and the challenges that come with it. Our research and focus groups reveal that young people are experiencing more anxiety, depression, and economic pressure than at any point in our history. They are growing up in a vastly different world than what their parents experienced, making "success" difficult to achieve. The goal of S4S is to prepare young people not only to overcome these challenges but also to thrive in the years ahead.
Under the leadership of Ted Fong, Program Director, S4S is developing boot camps to mentor teens and young adults in five Core Areas:
- Financial Literacy and Economic Security,
- Mental Health and Wellness,
- Career Development,
- Building Healthy Relationships, and
- Basic Skills for Living Independently
If you are interested in mentoring young people, there are many ways you can be involved in Strive for Strength. As Franklin Roosevelt said, "We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."
Reflections
Strive for Strength helps participants develop self-awareness. One way we do this is by guiding them to write about a life-changing experience and how that shaped their vision for the future. Here are some of their essays:
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My Journey Without Him
By Edyan Firth*, Monterey Trail High School, October 22, 2025
For me, one of my biggest obstacles in life was my father. In times of need, he never showed up and always made false promises. Read essay
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Basketball on My Mind
By Emmie Lee*, Toby Johnson Middle School, October 22, 2025
My mind was always racing and running, and it didn't want to stop. The thoughts would flood my head, screaming, "Why can't you be like them?" Looking around, I saw people who were so much better than me. I wished that I could be just like them. Read essay
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ABCs of Growth
By Sam Carr*, Franklin High School, October 22, 2025
When I entered high school, the difficulty with my workload increased drastically, and I was confronted with the reality of studying for the first time in Advanced Placement classes. Read essay
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Forced to Grow
By Ryan Fabrelli*, Monterey Trail High School, October 22, 2025
My mom is my life and more. Last year, she was diagnosed with cancer. It was a difficult moment in my life as well as hers. It was a time when I didn't know what to do, other than support her. Read essay
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The Pursuit of Knowledge
By Sky Lee*, Franklin High School, October 22, 2025
I’m still uncertain about my future career, but I hope that I continue with lifelong learning. I know that the more knowledgeable I become, the better I will become at any job, allowing me to branch into whatever field I want to pursue. Read essay
* A pseudonym