Building a Well World & Community

What is Sources of Strength?

Sources of Strength is a strength-based, peer-led, and evidence-based program that empowers students to build resilience, create positive connections, and foster a culture of hope, help, and strength. By focusing on protective factors and healthy coping strategies, we are working together to create a well world and community.

Strength-Based Approach

Sources of Strength takes an innovative and interactive approach by focusing on protective factors instead of risk factors. Using storytelling, art, small group sharing, and games, students explore the eight protective factors in the Wheel of Strength, helping them develop lifelong skills for resilience and well-being.

Moving Upstream

Instead of waiting for crises to happen, Sources of Strength works proactively to build connection, resilience, and healthy coping strategies. The program helps shift school culture by:

Encouraging help-seeking behaviors
Breaking down secrecy and stigma
Strengthening positive school engagement

This upstream approach impacts not only mental health but also issues like substance abuse, bullying, relationship violence, and school attendance.

Peer-Led & Adult-Supported

The power of peer influence is at the heart of Sources of Strength. Instead of training students to be “junior counselors,” we empower peer leaders to spread messages of hope, help, and strength throughout their school communities. With trusted adults as mentors, students use their social networks to create real change.

Evidence-Based & Research-Backed

Sources of Strength is one of the most rigorously evaluated programs of its kind, earning a place on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs. Research shows that students in the program experience:

Increased connectedness to adults
Increased school engagement
Greater acceptance of seeking help
Stronger positive perceptions of adult support

The Eight Protective Factors

At the core of Sources of Strength is the Wheel of Strength, which highlights eight key protective factors that help students build resilience and lead healthy, full lives.

Family Support – Whether related to us by blood, or by choice, these are the people who support, nurture, and care for us.
Positive Friends – Positive Friends lift us up, make us laugh, are honest with us, and are there for us when we need them.
Mentors – A Mentor is an experienced person who shares their insight to help guide us and help us draw on our own Strengths to be the best version of ourselves.
Healthy Activities – When we feel stressed, Healthy Activities – whether they are social, physical, or emotional – help us unwind, lift our mood, and gain clarity.
Generosity Generosity can look a lot of different ways, from donating money or time, to being intentionally kind to other people. These acts of kindness towards others, big or small, can make an impact on how we feel about ourselves.
Spirituality – Spirituality is practiced in many ways, but at its core we consider what gives us a sense of purpose and connection in our spirit. Thankfulness is a profound way to practice Spirituality together no matter what our cultural heritage and/or spiritual tradition.
Physical Health – When we are injured, we don’t have to stay in pain. We can get better with access to the medical care we need and deserve. Physical and social/ emotional pain are often integrated and it’s important to take care of our bodies, hearts, and minds.
Mental Health – Mental Health is all about getting the support we need and deserve to help us when we are struggling. Our Mental Health is a very important part of living a healthy life, and oftentimes, getting together with a trusted person, counselor, or doctor can help empower us to overcome internal struggles we might be facing.

By strengthening these protective factors, students are better equipped to handle challenges, build resilience, and support one another.

Sources of Strength Campaigns

Throughout the school year, Sources of Strength peer leaders and adult advisors run school-wide campaigns designed to promote hope, help, and strength by encouraging positive behaviors and connections.

Some of our campaigns include:

“What Helps Me” Campaign – Encouraging students to reflect on and share the positive coping strategies that help them through tough times.
“Trusted Adults” Campaign – Highlighting the importance of adult support and encouraging students to identify trusted mentors in their lives.
“Gratitude & Generosity” Campaign – Promoting kindness, appreciation, and giving back to others through acts of service.
“Healthy Activities” Campaign – Encouraging students to engage in sports, music, art, and hobbies that contribute to their overall well-being.
“Wheel of Strength” Campaign – A year-round initiative that reinforces the eight protective factors and their role in creating strong, resilient students.

These campaigns involve the entire school community, ensuring that every student has access to the tools and support they need to thrive.

Which Schools Have Sources of Strength?

The following secondary schools in our district have implemented Sources of Strength:

High Schools

Bartram Trail High School
Beachside High School
Creekside High School
Allen D. Nease High School
Pedro Menendez High School
Ponte Vedra High School
St. Augustine High School
St. Johns Technical High School
Tocoi Creek High School

Middle Schools & K-8 Academies

Switzerland Point Middle School
Mill Creek Academy
Freedom Crossing Academy
Patriot Oaks Academy
Palm Valley Academy
Gamble Rogers Middle School
Lakeside Academy
Alice B. Landrum Middle School
Pacetti Bay Middle School
R.J. Murray Middle School
Trout Creek Academy

Support Sources of Strength

We are committed to building a well world and community, and we need your help to make this vision a reality. Your financial support allows us to:

Train peer leaders & advisors
Provide program materials & school-wide campaigns
Host events that promote connection & resilience

Ways to Give

Sponsor a School – Help fund training, materials, provide food/snacks for meetings and training days and student-led initiatives.
Make a General Donation – Support the expansion of Sources of Strength across the district.
Become a Community Partner – Businesses and organizations can help fund outreach programs.
Fundraising & Grants – Help sustain and grow this life-changing program.

Together, we can empower students, strengthen our schools, and create a lasting impact.

Contact Us

Have additional questions about supporting Sources of Strength? Contact Coordinator of CHARACTER COUNTS and Community Partnerships Kelly Thigpen at [email protected] or 904-547-7623.

Interested in supporting Sources of Strength?

Our Sponsors

The Sources of Strength program in St. Johns County School District is made possible with the support of our generous sponsors.