About
About Inner Strength
Inner Strength was established in 2014 to foster inner strength for outer stability in today’s youth. We provide school mindfulness and systems thinking programs to train teens to use life-long learning and mental wellness tools. We also cultivate wholesome learning environments by providing stress reduction programs for teachers. We believe that realizing the promise of our shared future rests on supporting the youth of today to become curious, caring, and creative leaders of tomorrow.
Team
Board of Directors






Advisory Board









TEAM
Our organization runs on the creativity and passion of our talented team.


Rebecca Donahue comes to Inner Strength from 10 successful years in the hospitality industry as events manager in large brand hotels. Rebecca currently sits on the
board of directors for Meeting Professionals International- Philadelphia Chapter. Wellness is a
huge part of Rebecca’s life and she is the First Author “An Exploratory Study of Wellness Travel:
Differences Between U.S. and Non-U.S. Travelers”. She has been a devoted practitioner of
yoga and mindfulness since college and is excited to be part of an organization that helps so
many youths find their own meditation and mindfulness practices. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of
Arts degree in Recreation, Sport Leadership and Tourism Management from University of
North Carolina Wilmington,


Instructors
The following ISF instructors have successfully completed the Inner Strength teacher training for the Teen Program, including mindfulness, cultural development, and primary theories of adolescent neuroscience and are part of our current teaching roster. All active instructors participate in weekly professional development sessions, continually deepening their knowledge, skill set, and ability to work together as a supportive cohort.







Thank you advisors & volunteers!
Ben Van Loon, Chicago
Adrian Hopkins, Temple Univ.
Meg Levitin, Jerusalem
Emma Fox, Philadelphia
Sonali Pandhe, Texas
Reem Larabi, Philadelphia
Talolupe Adekunle, Philadelphia
Certified Teachers
Please contact ISF to see if there is a certified Inner Strength instructor in your area
2020 Alumni
2019 Alumni
2018 Alumni
2017 Alumni
2016 Alumni
2015 Alumni
Research
Independent Research Study

The Philadelphia School Board approved an independent study conducted by Syracuse University, Department of Public Health. Student progress was evaluated using two standard measures: the Adolescent Self Regulatory Index and the Neff Self Compassion Scale. Read more here.
Lead Researchers:
Dr. Dessa Bergen-Cico
Dr. Rachel Razza