Teaching Inner Strength
&
Outer Stability

Cultivating Curiosity

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“HAPPY FOR NO REASON”
TEEN RETREAT VIDEO

High school students explore what happiness is on a day retreat as part of a school mindfulness program run by the Inner Strength Foundation. These teens have been learning how to cultivate inner strength and outer stability. While on retreat they discovered a whole approach to being together, exploring nature, and sharing what gives them strength and joy. Listen to their uplifting and thoughtful reflections, as they have fun articulating their experience of an inner happiness, which has more to do with their context and perspective than with obtaining something outside themselves.

What We Do

The Inner Strength Foundation provides innovative programs that use mindfulness training and perspectives in cultural development to help the youth of today become the great leaders of tomorrow.

Inner Strength Foundation founder Amy Edelstein awarded with

Social Innovation Award

  • Social Innovation Awards
  • 2019 Social Innovation Awards - Silver for Anti Violence awarded to Inner Strength

IPPY AWARD WINNER
#1 BEST SELLER

  • “The Conscious Classroom is a must read for anyone interested in how to transform education and elevate human behavior!”

    Sam Beard
    Founder of The Jefferson Awards

  • “This is an inspiring book that looks towards the future. It provides a model for educators and students to be empowered by cultivating the inner resources of strength, resilience, and compassion.”

    Diane Reibel, Ph.D.,
    Director, Mindfulness Institute,
    Jefferson University

  • “The Inner Strength Foundation equips young people with the tools that breed resilience and emotional self-sufficiency. With these tools, they can stay grounded and rise above the tumult of an uncertain world.”

    Sharmain Matlock-Turner,
    CEO Urban Affairs Coalition,
    Sr. Fellow UPenn Fels Institute of Government

  • “I left this book with more hope for the world the next generation will create than I have had in a long time.”

    Eric Hoffman, Ph.D.
    St. Joseph University,
    former Director of American Philosophical Association

  • “In our troubled times, this is the book educators, teens, and other concerned beings have waited for.”

    Richard Brady
    Founder (MIEN) Mindfulness in Education Network

  • “A game changer, this book defines the path for how we might collaborate to fulfill the mission of educating conscious citizens.”

    Jonathan Miller-Lane, Ph.D.
    Director, Program in Education Studies
    Middlebury College

Available now, order here!
ISF teen mindfulness video

5,500 Students
Trained

Syracuse University teen mindfulness research

Multi-year research shows positive results.

2019 Phl Innovation Award Winner

CASEL recommended program

Thank you to all our generous donors!

Donate Here & Help Inner City Teens

Program Areas

Mind & Awareness

Time-honored, evidence-based tools to promote ease & self-reflection.

“I have come out of this program much wiser and more open-minded.” Shania, 16 year-old”

Brain Science

Biological growth stages & evolutionary conditioning.

“I learned how much our brain is developing and how much we need to take care of it.” Savannah, 16 years

Culture & Me

Historical context shows us where we come from and why our experience is colored the way it is.

“Meditation is a gateway to infinite reflection and reflection is what leads to success.” Antwain, 17 years

Art of Relationship

Compassion for self and other, learning to cultivate good habits of mind.

“It helped me communicate better with my friends and family about issues that I have.” Kendra, 16 years

In our incredibly complicated world, it’s good to know that we, as a school, are not only preparing our students academically, but also giving them the tools provided through mindfulness training…. Our students report that they are now able to “Stop and take a look at what’s really going on inside.”Sydney Bassman, Guidance Counselor, Bodine High School for International Affiars
for students

Practice & Support

for schools

School Programs

for teachers

Teacher Training

QUICK FACTS

  • 12 Weeks

    The Teen Program runs once a week for 12 consecutive weeks.

  • In-School Program

    Programs are held in-school as part of a student’s regular curriculum.

  • Greater Philadelphia Area

    The Inner Strength Foundation has provided its Teen Mindfulness Program to over 5500 students in 12 public high schools in Philadelphia.

  • Cost

    We are committed to making the program affordable for under-funded, under-resourced public schools. The cost of the program is entirely underwritten for most of the inner city public high schools.

Meditation has improved my focus and my ability to understand different perspectives. All in all, it has helped me become a better person.Chloe, 16 years
I learned how teenagers make impulsive decisions and why. It made me think more about what I do before I do it.Eric, 17 years
I always think to myself, “Where would I be if I didn’t have meditation?” I’m pretty sure I would be stressing out for no reason and my life would be a mess.Peter, 17 years
 
 

To schedule an informational school visit,
contact Amy Edelstein.

Email Amy

If you’ve had your informational session and are ready to apply to bring the program to your school, please download the school application.

Download
“Lovingkindness left an impact on me. I loved talking about how to improve relationships, and the challenges we face.”Serena, 16 years
“I began to understand how meditation was not just sitting and closing your eyes, but it was a way to explore the deep realms of the brain. It dawned upon me that it was a method to get to know one’s self better.” Valentino, 17 years
“I realized that awareness is important for mental health.”
Sarah, 17 years
 

HELPING STUDENTS ACCESS INNER STRENGTH AND SEE IN CONTEXT

“The most important thing I learned is how to step away from stressful thoughts and to be able to see the bigger picture.”