Be Strong International (BSI) is proud to announce that it has been selected as a recipient of a 2025 Mental Well-being grant by the Florida Blue Foundation, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s mission to promote emotional wellness and healthy relationships across South Florida.
This competitive grant program recognizes nonprofits making measurable impacts on mental health. BSI’s award of $400,000 will support a multi-year initiative to expand the reach of its innovative Social Yaks card game. The accompanying training program is designed to foster connectedness, empathy, and emotional resilience among youth, families, and older adults. Through this funding, BSI will:
•Serve 4,000 adolescents, their families, and older adults in high-need communities across Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
•Train 1,500 public school teachers, counselors, and mental health professionals, particularly in under-resourced schools on the use of Social Yaks to enhance classroom engagement and emotional support.
•Host community workshops and awareness events to address isolation, loneliness, and depression through the power of social empathy and connection.
“This moment is a true milestone for us. The generous support from the Florida Blue Foundation has left us absolutely elated,” said Michelle Shirley, CEO & Chief Heart Officer of Be Strong International. “We envision a future where our Heart Skills® framework will be woven into the fabric of every school and community, contributing to eradicating the loneliness and isolation our community is feeling. Through the application of Social Yaks, our latest tool, we aspire to foster environments where adolescents and their families reignite a shared commitment to connect in more meaningful ways while strengthening family bonding time.”
This is the first time Be Strong International has been awarded funding from the Florida Blue Foundation, the philanthropic arm of GuideWell, a not-for-profit mutual holding company committed to advancing health care and community well-being.
“We are proud to support nonprofit organizations like Be Strong International, who share our commitment to improving mental well-being for families across the state,” said Susan Towler, executive director of Florida Blue Foundation. “By providing support and resources, we can help amplify their work, ensuring more individuals and families have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.”
