Building Strong, Safe & Proud Communities
StandStrong is a not-for-profit, non-denominational, and apolitical organization providing self-defense skills at no cost.
Students gain confidence, learn how to protect themselves, and proudly stand up for who they are and what they believe.
Building Strong, Safe & Proud Communities
StandStrong is a not-for-profit, non-denominational, and apolitical organization providing self-defense skills at no cost.
Students gain confidence, learn how to protect themselves, and proudly stand up for who they are and what they believe.
The StandStrong System
The StandStrong Self-Defense System was created by world-renowned, best-in-class martial artists from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Israeli Krav Maga, and Muay-Thai. Principles from each discipline have been combined into an effective program to help students de-escalate and disengage from potentially dangerous situations.
Mentality of a Peaceful Warrior
Disengage & De-escalate Situations
Submit and Control an Attacker
Our Team
The StandStrong Executive Board and trainers are made up of passionate community leaders who have dedicated many years to ensuring a better future for the Jewish community and other cultural groups.
Matt Travers
Director of Operations
Matt has dedicated 15 years to the Jewish communal world both in the US and UK. Formerly from London, Matt served as Director of Sport for Maccabi Great Britain, the largest Jewish sports organization in the UK. After moving to Chicago in 2016 he spent time as Sports Director at JCC Chicago before joining StandStrong. Matt has a deep understanding of challenging the misrepresentations of Jews in sports. Having played semi-professional soccer in the UK for over 10 years he experienced verbal and physical antisemitism first-hand.
Ronal Gonzalez
Head of Curriculum & Programming
Ronal is a uniquely gifted martial artist and instructor who boasts an array of high-level skills and experience. He is a jujutsu purple belt under Professor Pedro Valente from the Valente Brothers academy in North Miami Beach, FL, where he has been training for 6 years. Ronal also trained in kick boxing and was a talented amateur boxer in his youth. He has worked as a personal trainer, boxing coach and Bootcamp instructor. Ronal has developed an amazing approach to instructing and coaching self-defense and looks forward to inspiring our students to remain safe and proud in everything they do.
Henri Jones
Lead Instructor
Henri is an MMA competitor looking to build his reputation as an elite fighter in the cage. He understands the importance of staying calm and collected in the most frantic situations. Henri started coaching in 2016 and quickly found it to be his passion. He loves using real-life skills to empower students. Throughout his MMA career, Henri has trained in boxing, Muay-Thai, wrestling, grappling and Jiu-Jitsu. He adds unique qualities to our StandStrong curriculum.
Charlie Pienta
Instructor
Charlie Pienta was born and raised in Chicago and currently lives in the Bucktown neighborhood. He is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and has been training in BJJ and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) for almost 5 years. Martial arts training has drastically improved his life and his passion for teaching has been a great experience. He has gained countless benefits from martial arts both on and off the mats, including motivation and a healthy lifestyle. Some of his interests outside of BJJ/MMA include reading, cooking, traveling, holistic health and nutrition, visiting various churches and coffee shops throughout Chicago, and doing anything active outside in the sun.
Gabrielle Schoeffer
Marketing Manager
Gabrielle is a graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in Information Management & Technology and a minor in Public Communications. Her strengths in creativity, marketing, and leadership equip her with the skills to contribute to the growth of StandStrong, while leveraging her ability to thrive amidst challenges. Gabrielle grew up with rich Jewish traditions and values instilled at a very young age and recognized the imperative to advocate against hate and antisemitism. Consequently, she channels this commitment through her role as our Marketing Manager overseeing multiple cities. Through her dedicated efforts, she champions a cause close to her heart advocating for empowerment and fostering a united community against hate.
Matt Travers
Director of Operations
Matt has dedicated 15 years to the Jewish communal world both in the US and UK. Formerly from London, Matt served as Director of Sport for Maccabi Great Britain, the largest Jewish sports organization in the UK. After moving to Chicago in 2016 he spent time as Sports Director at JCC Chicago before joining StandStrong. Matt has a deep understanding of challenging the misrepresentations of Jews in sports. Having played semi-professional soccer in the UK for over 10 years he experienced verbal and physical antisemitism first-hand.
Ronal Gonzalez
Head of Curriculum & Programming
Ronal is a uniquely gifted martial artist and instructor who boasts an array of high-level skills and experience. He is a jujutsu purple belt under Professor Pedro Valente from the Valente Brothers academy in North Miami Beach, FL, where he has been training for 6 years. Ronal also trained in kick boxing and was a talented amateur boxer in his youth. He has worked as a personal trainer, boxing coach and Bootcamp instructor. Ronal has developed an amazing approach to instructing and coaching self-defense and looks forward to inspiring our students to remain safe and proud in everything they do.
Henri Jones
Lead Instructor
Henri is an MMA competitor looking to build his reputation as an elite fighter in the cage. He understands the importance of staying calm and collected in the most frantic situations. Henri started coaching in 2016 and quickly found it to be his passion. He loves using real-life skills to empower students. Throughout his MMA career, Henri has trained in boxing, Muay-Thai, wrestling, grappling and Jiu-Jitsu. He adds unique qualities to our StandStrong curriculum.
Charlie Pienta
Instructor
Charlie Pienta was born and raised in Chicago and currently lives in the Bucktown neighborhood. He is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and has been training in BJJ and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) for almost 5 years. Martial arts training has drastically improved his life and his passion for teaching has been a great experience. He has gained countless benefits from martial arts both on and off the mats, including motivation and a healthy lifestyle. Some of his interests outside of BJJ/MMA include reading, cooking, traveling, holistic health and nutrition, visiting various churches and coffee shops throughout Chicago, and doing anything active outside in the sun.
Gabrielle Schoeffer
Marketing Manager
Gabrielle is a graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in Information Management & Technology and a minor in Public Communications. Her strengths in creativity, marketing, and leadership equip her with the skills to contribute to the growth of StandStrong, while leveraging her ability to thrive amidst challenges. Gabrielle grew up with rich Jewish traditions and values instilled at a very young age and recognized the imperative to advocate against hate and antisemitism. Consequently, she channels this commitment through her role as our Marketing Manager overseeing multiple cities. Through her dedicated efforts, she champions a cause close to her heart advocating for empowerment and fostering a united community against hate.
Safety
Providing practical tools to help students defend themselves and stay safe, regardless of age, size, or physical ability.
Self Esteem
Inspiring the next generation of leaders by building both mental and physical strength.
Team Work
Sportsmanship, brotherhood, and learning together as a team is a core value in everything we teach.
Discipline
Self-control and respect for oneself and others form the basis of each StandStrong class.
What Sucess Looks Like To Us
Proud & Safe
Across America
StandStrong programs offered in every major city, with thousands of trained students in each city.
Changing
the Narrative
Using selective enrollment, we will identify future community leaders and provide them with the skills they need to change the narrative surrounding antisemitism
United
Communities
Creating safer, more secure and united communities supporting one another.
