The Poppy Project 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. Steve 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.”

The campaign will continue throughout the year, aligning with nationally recognized holidays including Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day. Also, the project will incorporate public art installations, sponsorship opportunities, special events and a virtual legacy wall where families can honor loved ones who have served.

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.

Funds raised will directly support Henderson Behavioral Health’s VICTORY Program (Veterans in Counseling to Obtain Recovery), 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.

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.

Ronik added, “Florida is home to more than 1.3 million veterans, one of the largest veteran populations in the nation, reinforcing the importance of initiatives like The Poppy Project in building awareness, fostering connection and expanding access to care.”

The Thursday, May 21st, 2026 kickoff event at Tunnel Top Plaza is free and open to the public. Guests are invited to experience the inaugural Poppy Garden, learn more about the initiative and discover ways to support veterans in the community.

Henderson Behavioral Health’s The 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 about The 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.