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Power Source

for system-impacted and other youth at risk

A practical and accessible book written for highly at-risk youth to identify their strengths and take control over their lives, while increasing their understanding of the emotions and beliefs driving their high-risk and offending behavior. A curriculum/program for behavioral change, emotional healing, and successful rehabilitation and reentry.

Overview

The Power Source Program is an evidence based program designed to empower at risk youth with the social and emotional skills necessary to forge paths of healthy development and disengagement from high risk and offending behaviors. Grounded in a belief in the intrinsic dignity and worth of each person, Power Source guides trauma impacted adolescents and young adults in discovering their own resilience, while also building the skills associated with healthy social, emotional, and identity development. Offering a wide range of tools and resources, Power Source enables facilitators to address youth’s unique socioemotional needs, risk factors, and protective factors through high impact, engaging exercises, role plays, discussions, games, and meditations.

This widely embraced program helps youth:

  • Learn effective strategies for emotion regulation
  • Change negative core beliefs about themselves
  • Reduce engagement in high risk behavior, such as interpersonal violence
  • Heal from histories of trauma
  • Discover alternative coping strategies to substance use
  • Develop resilience and acquire the social and emotional skills associated with success in school, the workplace, and in the world at large

Power Source is listed on CrimeSolutions.gov, a repository of evidence based programs from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Additionally, Power Source is included in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s (OJJDP’s) Model Program Guide. The Power Source Facilitator Manual is the product of a multi-year NIH funded randomized controlled trial conducted on the adolescent unit of Rikers Island.

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Who It helps

Power Source offers a comprehensive social and emotional learning (SEL) program for virtually any trauma impacted youth engaging in high-risk behaviors. However, Power Source is uniquely designed for systems involved youth, such as those in the juvenile justice or child welfare systems.

Power Source can be facilitated by anyone working with youth at-risk, including mental health professionals, mentors, educators, credible messengers, intervention specialists, outreach workers, direct care staff, and other youth workers.

It can be utilized in a variety of settings, such as:

  • High schools serving trauma impacted youth. Power Source can also supplement dropout prevention and alternative to suspension programming
  • Secure and non-secure detention centers
  • Diversion and alternative to incarceration programs
  • Residential treatment centers and facilities
  • Group homes
  • After school or community based programs
  • Adult prisons housing youth offenders
Young offender (18-24) Power Source program graduating class within San Quentin State Prison
Young offender (18-24) Power Source program graduating class within San Quentin State Prison

Why It Works

Power Source is an evidence-based SEL program developed by clinicians who work directly with trauma impacted youth in a variety of settings. Power Source combines empirically backed, evidence based interventions with real world language, concepts, and stories directly from systems involved youth. Power Source is both preventative and rehabilitative. This developmentally focused program integrates cognitive-behavioral approaches with mindfulness based practices through engaging, high impact exercises and discussions. Power Source is structured to teach and scaffold specific self regulation and interpersonal skills, reduce offending and harmful behavior, help youth heal from the impact of abuse and neglect, and foster resilience and empowerment.

Program Resources

The Power Source Program includes a range of materials that allow for multiple intervention options, and is easily deliverable in a highly flexible, user friendly format depending on the needs and resources of your setting. Power Source can be used as a stand alone program, as an adjunct to existing programming, and all Power Source materials can be used with youth individually or in groups. Resources include:

Book for youth at risk <br>(English)
Book for youth at risk
(English)
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Book for youth at risk <br> (Spanish)
Book for youth at risk
(Spanish)
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Workbook for youth at risk
Workbook for youth at risk
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Facilitator Manual
<br>for use both in groups and individually
Facilitator Manual
for use both in groups and individually
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DVD Series <br>to augment the PS Curriculum
DVD Series
to augment the PS Curriculum
Add to Cart
check out additional power source products

Ways to Utilize It

Approach 1

Power Source Book + Workbook 

This approach provides high impact exercises, with little time needed for planning and preparing for groups. It allows Power Source to be delivered in a highly flexible format (youth can read and work independently, or the material can be used in individual sessions or in groups).

Approach 2

Power Source Book + Facilitator Manual 

This approach is useful for facilitators looking to implement a manualized curriculum. All sessions are fully scripted and can be used in groups or individually. This includes access to our Power Source Online Resources, a repository of additional exercises, role-plays, meditations, and resources.

Add an extra boost of power to your groups! Check out the Power Source Video Series and Power Source Posters which reinforce key skills and concepts.

Research

Research and ongoing program evaluation are critical components of ensuring that our resources are not only effective, but are revised to incorporate the growing body of knowledge in the fields of social and emotional learning, trauma, and effective treatment delivery.

LEARN MORE

Testimonials

With more and more kids in deep trouble in America, we need [Power Source] more than ever…

James Garbarino, PH.D
Cornell University

Power Source is an extremely thoughtful and comprehensive handbook that should be very useful in helping to reduce the incidence of both violent and self-destructive behavior by teenagers and young adults.  I highly recommend it…

James Gilligan
Harvard Medical School

I’ve seen a lot of s*** in my life and done a lot, but I never thought some book would change me. When I first got locked up I was out of control – stealing, fighting, drugging. I even hit the fence 4 different times at this juvenile hall to show the system and my friends that I do what I want and that’s the way life is supposed to be lived. I was wrong. Now I realize my family has abandoned me. My dads doing life in prison and I need to change. Reading Power Source gave me hope and wisdom and goals. I’m changed and am working on getting college set up for when I get out. Thank you Power Source!

Jason
17 years old from Pittsburg

I am writing to tell you how the book Power Source has helped me. Before reading Power Source I thought that I might be the only one with really big problems. This book has taught me that if you want to give up — you are taking the easy way out. Learn from your mistakes and they will help you grow. Thank you so much.

Stevie
16 years old, Los Angeles

Before, I felt like I was being disrespected by everyone who crossed my path, but now after reading this book [Power Source] I know that you have control of you — no one else unless you allow them to. I took a long look at myself, I’m still not perfect, but I have a whole new outlook.

Kenyata
Youthful Offender Program

Power Source is a thoughtfully crafted, innovative, and highly accessible book, a ‘must-read’ for adolescents looking to find their way and for adults interested in helping them along the road to a more satisfying and productive life.

Maxine Weisman
Chief Psychologist, The Children's Village, NY

Your book Power Source has changed my life entirely. I have been in and out of placement for the last 4 years then a month ago I got a chance to read your book then my whole world changed. I used to do all the high risk behavior you listed in your book except two. But now I have a plan after I get out to go to college to become a counselor and a preacher and it’s all because of your book. Thank you so very much for everything.

William
17 years old, Locked Youth Facility, Virginia

Power Source is a book that is a must read. This book is not just to help those who are in custody, who have every reason to feel hopeless, to feel angry, to feel unwanted; but it can teach us all something about ourselves. We can learn to share the wisdom, insight, and healing in this wonderful book. Read it!

Geoffrey Canada
President/CEO, Harlem Children's Zone and author of First Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence in America and Reaching up for Manhood

Power Source is a straightforward guide to personal empowerment for highly at-risk youth. [It] helps youth to understand the complex reasons for their current situation and how to turn negative experiences into positive ones. Power Source is filled with practical steps to take responsibility for one’s actions and commence the process of change. I am sure many juvenile correctional programs will want to implement this curriculum.

Edward J. Loughran
Executive Director, Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators and Former Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Youth Services

To whoever receives this letter I was just given a copy of your book Power Source by a counselor…. I’ve been in and out of jail since I was twelve, and really never had no guidence at home…. The way I look at my self was that I was unlovable, not important, and like there was no hope for me…. Even though I still have alot of hurt feelings, Power Source has really helped me out. It’s given me a sense of hope like every thing I ever had questions about were jammed into this book. I couldn’t of put everything so clear my self. Its easy to read and you get a lot of feedback that can help you. Man thanks for taking the time out your life to write this book to help those in need for hope in life, because I know how it feels to feel hopeless, and now things are looking a whole lot more hopeful.

Joey

My name is Richard. Im 16 years old…. Well I just finished reading yall’s book “Power Source.” … I’ve realized that there’s more people who need help and that’s what I’m gonna do. Help the people who need help. Thanks to yall book. Trust me it has inspired me and made me realize that “in each moment I can choose to use the power and wisdom within me.” It’s help me more than yall can ever imagine.  –With much love and appreciation, Richie, PS – I forgot to tell you that I’m also a father to one beautiful baby girl.

Richard
16 years old

I relate to this book Power Source in many different ways. Abandonment, alcohol and drugs, grief. My life has been tough…. I have been in and out of placement since I was 10. I just so happen to come across Power Source. It made a difference in my life BIG TIME.

Tonya
15 years old

When I picked Power Source off the shelf and started to look through it, I saw a lot of problems I had that I needed to solve. And as I kept reading through each chapter, I began to realize that I was not alone. It deals with all your problems and answers your questions. Power Source is an awesome book. Thank you for giving me motivation to start taking charge of my life.

David
Grove City, PA

My staff and I have researched and evaluated numerous programming resources over the years. We have experienced varied results in our work with at-risk youth through implementation of these programs…. While all the groups have been effective in dealing with at-risk youth, the girls Power Source group facilitated by our juvenile probation officers has been so outstanding that it has received statewide attention for its innovative approach to gender-specific issues.

Director of the Juvenile Division of the 19th Judicial Circuit
Lake County, Illinois

As a school social worker in an alternative education program, I work with at-risk youth daily. Our program serves approximately 160 students from the Cayuga County school districts…. We have all incorporated the Power Source book and facilitators’ manual into our groups with students. The modules zero in on issues that are critical to enhancing positive change in young people. I speak for our entire staff when I express our appreciation for the techniques, strategies, exercises, and overall content of Power Source. I believe that for those students who are ready, it truly is a tool to enhance their ability to “take charge of their lives.” Thank you for this resource.

Social Worker
Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, Auburn, NY

Power Source allows for such diverse opportunities to teach clients. I have found this to be one of the best resources offered to clients and facilitators. My clients engage much easier and with motivation when doing groups. I absolutely LOVE the curriculum and have found it to be an invaluable tool in my work as a clinician. Thank you!

Clinical Counselor
Residential Treatment Center, Rhinebeck, NY

Power Source is the most requested book inside our detention center.

Librarian
High Desert Juvenile Detention Center, Hesperia, CA

Your book has been an amazing help for me. I’m learning that I am a wonderful person. Despite all I have done to myself and friends and family. The exercises have been making me grow every time I repeat them. The meditation part has made me more clear and more mature. I’ve even told my mother about your book so she can give it to my brother who abused me. And she always thought I made my brother do those things to me. But she sees now we were both taught it through our babysiter. I’ve learned to forgive my brother and others who have hurt me. But most of all I’ve learned to forgive myself. Thanks for being the one to show me who I am.

Rosa
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