Project Challenge programs are based on the Model of Girls' Resilience. This model combines theories related to stress, resilience, and women's development. The model describes how certain personal characteristics and coping processes influence girls' health and life decisions. Using this model, Project Challenge works to support girls as they develop the personal characteristics and coping processes that promote positive, healthy decisions.

Ultimately, this model suggests grils with 1) higher levels of the personal qualities listed above, and 2) who use few avoidant coping skills, a low to moderate amount of emotion-focused coping skills, and a moderate to high amount of problem- focused coping skills will be more hopeful, have a firmer commitment to positive life goals, and will be more likely to choose outcomes associated with health, well-being, and quality of life.

Learning to develop and balance commitment to both intrapersonal and interpersonal identities (how girls relate to themselves and others) represents a particularly important aspect of this model.