Ty Richardson, Interim President & CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce; Vivian Demille, COO of Henderson Behavioral Health; Shari Thomas, Director of Youth & Family at Henderson Behavioral Health; Jennifer Becker, Chief Operating Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County; Terry Frank, Vice Chair of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County Board of Directors Executive Committee; Teri Fuentes, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County board member and Senior Vice President and Producer at Lockton Companies; and Janna Lhoto, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Board Chair
Award was presented at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Healthcare Awards ceremony
October 6, 2026 — The partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County (BBBS Broward) and Henderson Behavioral Health (HBH) was named the Community Catalyst at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Healthcare Awards. Also at the awards ceremony, Dr. Steven Ronik, Chief Executive Officer of HBH, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Building on the success of its Little Steps, Big Strides program, BBBS Broward launched a transformational new partnership with HBH in March 2026. It is designed to strengthen overall wellness for youth, families, mentors and staff across the organization.
The collaboration brings together two long-standing community nonprofits to create a comprehensive, long-term wellness initiative that equips young people with healthy coping skills to navigate major life challenges and everyday stressors including anxiety, depression, bullying, cyberbullying, academic pressures, navigating college applications, identity-related stress, suicidal ideation and family challenges.
“In the six months since Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County joined forces with Henderson Behavioral Health to provide wellness services and counseling sessions to our Bigs, Littles, families and staff, I’ve already seen a significant positive impact on how participants cope with and overcome challenges and stressors,” said Malena Mendez, President & CEO of BBBS Broward. “We are only just beginning, and I look forward to helping many more youth and adults within our program. I am grateful for our partnership with the professionals at Henderson Behavioral Health and that the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce has recognized the significance of our collaboration.”
HBH clinicians provide individual and group wellness sessions, home visits when appropriate, quarterly training sessions for BBBS Broward staff that provide an orientation to the services HBH clinicians provide, how to identify common mental health warning signs and being mindful of cultural humility. Quarterly engagement and education sessions with Bigs and parents/guardians include identifying common mental health warning signs and how to communicate with children. These efforts help participants recognize early warning signs of distress and respond with compassion, understanding and care.
“We are so pleased to share the Community Catalyst award with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we are grateful to the Farris Foundation and Beth Linzner, who support both of our organizations and who generously provided funding for our collaboration,” said Dr. Steven Ronik. “As long-time Trustee members of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, we are so grateful to be recognized for this partnership.”
With generous support from founding supporter, the Farris Foundation, the Little Steps, Big Strides initiative is integrated into BBBS Broward’s curriculum across all programs and is expected to expand as additional community partners and supporters join the effort.
A dedicated wellness room called Beth’s Zen Den at BBBS Broward’s Fort Lauderdale office serves as a central hub for in-person counseling sessions with masters-level licensed clinical therapists, evaluations and staff support. The thoughtfully designed space is named in honor of philanthropist, former Big and current BBBS Broward board member Beth Linzner, whose leadership support made it possible to create a beautiful, private and serene environment where meaningful counseling sessions can take root and thrive. Depending on an individual’s needs, circumstances or preferences, sessions may also take place virtually or in their home.
The initiative also reflects a growing need for culturally responsive wellness services, particularly for youth who may feel unsafe discussing personal challenges at home or within their communities. With clinicians as part of BBBS Broward’s existing framework, the program is designed to reduce stigma while empowering mentors and families with practical tools to support young people more effectively.
While mentoring alone has been shown to improve graduation rates, college enrollment and reduce risky behaviors, BBBS Broward leaders emphasize that mentors are not clinicians. This partnership ensures professional wellness support is readily available when needs extend beyond the mentoring relationship.
Ninety-one percent of Littles reported feeling a strong sense of belonging among their peers and feeling listened to when they bring worries or problems to their Bigs. Seventy-seven percent say they are doing better in school because of their Big, 90% say their Big makes them feel better about themselves and 94% are confident they will achieve their goals.
These outcomes demonstrate that wellness and achievement are not separate. A student who feels supported is more likely to believe in themselves, engage in school and envision a successful future. The community must recognize that student wellness is not an add-on to education. It is part of the foundation for success. When young people are surrounded with caring adults, professional resources and opportunities to grow, they’re given the confidence, resilience and tools to succeed today and build brighter futures.
Since the collaboration between BBBS Broward and HBH began in March, so far 10 families have received services at no cost to participants. Initial funding allows the program to support at least 240 youth annually, so this program has plenty of room for growth to provide counseling to additional Littles, Bigs, families and BBBS Broward staff including match specialists who routinely navigate complex and sometimes traumatic situations involving youth and families.
A Story of Impact
One of the first Littles who BBBS Broward referred to Henderson Behavioral Health was only 13 years old when she gave birth to her first child earlier this year. The Little and her family have since benefited from counseling services that are helping them navigate this major life change. The girl’s mother shared that the experience was very positive and provided valuable support during a difficult time. The mother also sought counseling for herself, recognizing the importance of caring for her own well-being so she could continue supporting her daughter.
This life-changing experience was initially a shock for her family and Big Sister, but became a journey filled with love, growth and resilience. Now 14, she is learning how to balance being a teenager while also caring for her baby, all with the support of people who believe in her.
In addition to the support she receives from her mom, her Big Sister plays a large role in her life. Even after her Big relocated to Washington, D.C., she remained committed to their match. The two remain connected through phone calls and text messages almost daily. When she found out her Little had unexpectedly given birth, she immediately booked a flight to Florida so she could be there to support her. That gesture showed her Little that she was not alone and that someone truly cares about her and her future. The Big regularly checks in, offers encouragement and remains present through both the joys and challenges that come with growing up and becoming a young mother. The Little’s mother often shares how grateful she is for the positive impact her daughter’s Big has had.
The Little’s mother is also a big source of support throughout this journey. HBH helped the mother process her own emotions when she heard the pregnancy news and overcome feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, HBH assisted her in dealing with the judgement and difficult comments from others. Despite the challenges, the mother chose to focus on supporting her daughter rather than dwelling on the past and has continued to show her daughter unconditional love, encouragement and guidance every step of the way.
The mother is incredibly proud of how her daughter has stepped up as a young, attentive and caring mom, while continuing to focus on her freshman year of high school. Although the transition to motherhood has not been easy, she has shown determination, responsibility and a willingness to keep moving forward.
Today, the Little’s story is not defined by the challenges she experienced at such a young age. Instead, it is a story of perseverance, support and hope. With a loving mother, a dedicated Big Sister and access to resources from BBBS Broward’s collaboration with HBH, the Little is building a bright future for herself and her baby. Her journey is a reminder of how much of a difference caring adults and a strong support system can make in the life of a young person.
To find out about all of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County’s programs, visit bbbsbroward.org, and go to hendersonbh.org to learn more about the services Henderson Behavioral Health offers.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County
For more than 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County (BBBS Broward) has empowered young people to achieve their full potential through life-changing mentoring relationships. By connecting youth with caring adult mentors and providing access to critical resources and support services, BBBS Broward helps build self-confidence, foster emotional well-being, encourage academic success and prepare young people for bright and productive futures.
Guided by its mission to ignite the power and promise of youth, BBBS Broward continues to be recognized as a leader within the mentoring field. The organization received Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s 2025 Growth Award in recognition of its excellence in programming and significant year-over-year growth in the number of mentoring matches served.
In 2026, BBBS Broward and Henderson Behavioral Health were named the Community Catalyst at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Healthcare Awards for their innovative wellness counseling partnership within the Little Steps, Big Strides program. This collaborative initiative expands access to wellbeing support for youth and families, helping participants build resilience and thrive both personally and academically.
