FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (March 10, 2026) — Building on the success of its Little Steps, Big Strides program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County (BBBS Broward) has announced a transformational new partnership with Henderson Behavioral Health 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.
“Mentorship has always been about more than academic success. It’s about helping young people feel supported, confident and prepared for whatever life brings their way,” said Malena Mendez, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County. “Through this partnership with Henderson Behavioral Health, we’re expanding our impact by surrounding our Littles, their families and our Bigs with accessible wellness resources that complement the life-changing power of mentoring.”
BBBS Broward currently serves approximately 1,400 Littles throughout the county. Initial funding will allow the program to support at least 240 youth annually at no cost to participants. Services will be available to Littles, Bigs, families and BBBS of Broward County staff including match specialists who routinely navigate complex and sometimes traumatic situations involving youth and families.
Henderson Behavioral Health clinicians will provide individual and group wellness sessions, home visits when appropriate and training for mentors, families and staff to help them recognize early warning signs of distress and respond with compassion and care.
With generous support from founding supporter, the Farris Foundation, the Little Steps, Big Strides initiative will be integrated into BBBS of Broward County’s curriculum across all programs and is expected to expand as additional community partner and supporters join the effort.
A dedicated wellness room at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County’s Fort Lauderdale office will serve as a central hub for in-person counseling sessions, evaluations and staff support. The thoughtfully designed space will be named in honor of philanthropist 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.
“For more than 70 years, Henderson Behavioral Health has worked to meet people where they are and remove barriers to care,” said Dr. Steven Ronik, CEO of Henderson Behavioral Health. “This partnership allows us to bring wellness services directly into a trusted mentoring environment, making support more approachable and accessible for youth, families and mentors as well as the team at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County that supports these families. Together, we’re creating a safer, stronger foundation for young people to grow and thrive.”
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.
“This collaboration elevates the services we both provide,” Mendez added. “It’s about accessibility, prevention and ensuring that no one, our youth, mentors, family members or staff, has to navigate life’s challenges alone.”
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County
For more than 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County has offered unprecedented access to resources to empower youth to reach their full potential through meaningful mentoring relationships. These mentoring relationships build self-confidence and emotional well-being, encourage young people to stay on a path to graduation and higher education, and help them establish a plan for a successful future. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County is to ignite the power and promise of youth. For more information, visit bbbsbroward.org.
Henderson Behavioral Health Henderson Behavioral Health (HBH) is one of the oldest and largest community-based not-for-profit behavioral healthcare system in Florida. For 73 years, HBH has helped over a million children, adults, and families. Henderson’s mission is to serve as the premier provider of accessible, cost effective, and quality behavioral healthcare services to the people of Florida in order to promote their mental health and well-being. Last year, Henderson served over 25,000 clients, over 5,000 which were children and youth under the age of 18. HBH maintains the highest level of CARF (Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accreditation and has done so continuously for thirty-three years. For more information visit www.hendersonbh.org.