Project Inspire
Inspiring youth success
Project Inspire is USA Health’s semester-long injury prevention program that offers education, exposure and mentorship to justice-involved youth. Since 2018, this collaboration between USA Health and James T. Strickland Youth Center has engaged justice-involved teens with the 5-pillar curriculum, which includes: trauma-informed care training and confidence building, educational and professional development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and intensive mentorship. The goal is to reduce the rates of violence by equipping and empowering youth to overcome obstacles and barriers they may face in order to build a brighter future. Eight classes have graduated since 2018. There are currently 3 sites with more opening across several states.
Commitment to Empowerment
Our program is curated to provide our participants with exposure and insight into several career options and life skills needed to thrive. Beginning each meeting with a meal, we prioritize mentorship where program participants and mentors discuss healthy relationships, success, and growth mindset. Our activities include resume creation, mock interviews, certifications in CPR and Stop the Bleed, college tours, cooking classes, sports and team-building activities, discussions with business owners, field trips, art expression and more. We are always expanding and updating our programming to reflect the needs of the youth we serve.
Feeling Inspired?
Our motto is, “If we inspire one, we’ve inspired many.” It truly takes a village, so we invite our community members to get involved! Project Inspire gives teens the tools to grow, learn, and lead through mentorship, real-world skills, and personal development. Your support can spark lasting change—get involved and be part of the impact.
Contact Us
Feeling inspired by our mission? Click the "Get involved" button below to send us a message if you have questions about Project Inspire's enrollment or volunteer opportunities, if you're interested in helping support our mission through a sponsorship or donation, or if you would like to bring the Project Inspire program model to your community. We look forward to connecting with you!
- FOX10: Healthy Living with USA Health - Project Inspire (June 2025)
- USA Health News: Docs rock the stage, raise funds for USA Health (February 2025)
- USA Health News: Five teens graduate from Project Inspire, its seventh class (December 2024)
- USA Health News: Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson proclaims Aug. 26-30 Project Inspire Week (August 2024)
- FOX10: Project Inspire helping teens impacted by gun violence (August 2024)
- USA Health News: Five teens complete Project Inspire mentorship program at University Hospital (May 2024)
- WKRG: Project Inspire aims to help local youth (March 2023)
- Voices of the Community: The Physician - Episode 22 Echo Stop Live Podcast (March 2023)
- Gulf Coast Trauma Symposium: Ashley Williams, M.D., presents Project INSPIRE (June 2022)
- FOX10: Healthy Living with USA Health - Project Inspire (June 2022)