A Public Art Initiative To Honor Veterans And Support Mental Health Services

“The Poppy Project is a powerful way for our community to come together in remembrance of those who have patriotically served our country and to honor them by supporting vital Mental Health Programs and Services,” said Dr. Steven Ronik, CEO of Henderson Behavioral Health. “Through this initiative, we are not only honoring service and sacrifice but also ensuring that those who have served and continue to protect our country receive the care they deserve.”

This launch also kicked off the virtual Legacy Wall which allows friend sand families to honor loved ones who have served or are currently serving our country. The campaign will continue throughout the year, aligning with nationally recognized holidays including Independence Day and Veterans Day. Poppy flowers are still available for individual or business sponsorships.

Funds raised will directly support Henderson Behavioral Health’s VICTORY (Veterans in Counseling to Obtain Recovery) Program, which provides free Mental Health Services to Veterans, Active-Duty Service Members, National Guard and Reserve Members, and their families, including outreach and education across South Florida, workshops addressing Mental Health challenges impacting military families, and individual and relationship therapy offered both in clinical settings and within the community.

Inspired by the poppy’s historical significance as a symbol of sacrifice, rooted in the World War I poem “In Flanders Fields,” and later adopted as a national emblem of remembrance, The Poppy Project brings this tradition to life in a local and meaningful way.

Since 2023, Henderson Behavioral Health has served hundreds of Veterans, including more than 250 in 2025 alone, reflecting the growing demand for accessible, high-quality Mental Health Care. As a vital safety net within the community, the organization continues to see increasing demand for veteran-focused services, highlighting the need for continued resources to support and expand access to care.

Henderson Behavioral Health’s Poppy Project is made possible through the support of key community partners, sponsors, and supporters including The Leo Goodwin Foundation, Arlene Pecora, the Henderson Behavioral Health Board of Directors, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), Community Foundation of Broward, Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and Galleria Fort Lauderdale.

For more information Henderson Behavioral Health’s Poppy Project or to get involved, email Suzanne Higgins at: shiggins@hendersonbh.org.

About Henderson Behavioral Health

Established in 1953, Henderson Behavioral Health (HBH or Henderson) is one of Florida’s oldest and largest NonProfit providers of Mental Health and substance use disorder services, serving more than 30,000 individuals of all ages each year. Through a comprehensive approach that includes clinical care, housing, supported employment and advocacy, Henderson helps individuals achieve recovery and lead meaningful, independent lives. With programs and facilities throughout South Florida, the organization provides a wide range of accessible, evidence-based services designed to treat the whole person. Henderson is fully accredited at the highest level by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (C.A.R.F.). For more information, visit: www.hendersonbh.org. Or call: (954) 777-1624.