Heart Skills® Based Coaching

Relationship Coaching Programs for Youth, Families, and Communities

Transforming Relationships One Heart Skill at a Time

Why Be Strong

Learn How to Have Healthier Relationships with Heart Skills®

We all want close, healthy relationships, but most of us were never taught how to build them. Be Strong International offers relationship coaching using its practical Heart Skills® tools for real-life moments, so individuals, couples, and families can communicate clearly, rebuild connections, and create relationships that feel safe, trusting, connected, and joyful.

Practical Skills for Real Life

Our relationship coaching teaches practical, learnable skills that help people listen differently, communicate with clarity and courage, and repair relationships after conflict.

Family Strengthening Programs That Meet Real Needs

From parents and couples to individuals and caregivers, our family strengthening programs help people build healthy relationships at home, at school, and in their communities.

Trusted Community Impact

Be Strong International is a trusted nonprofit serving South Florida and beyond, helping families thrive through education, community outreach, and relationship coaching that strengthens relationships and communities.

A teenager sitting apart from their parents, representing communication breakdown

When Communication Breaks Down, Everything Is at Risk

When people lack the tools for healthy relationships, conflict repeats itself. Trust breaks down. Families grow distant. Young people carry unhealthy patterns into the future.

What starts as disconnection at home can ripple outward into schools, workplaces, and entire communities. Most people want to know how to have a healthy relationship, but without practical support, they often fall into the same habits of arguing, shutting down, or avoiding conflict.

Be Strong International gives individuals, couples, and families the practical tools they need to break those patterns, and build something better. You don't have to figure it out alone.

A family laughing and connecting together on a couch in warm light

Real People. Real Relationship Transformations.

Be Strong International helps families reconnect. We help parents feel more equipped. Our success has led to couples growing stronger after conflict. Every youth gains tools for stronger friendships and healthy decision making.

Be Strong International's relationship coaching, through its Heart Skills® tools, helps turn hard moments into stronger bonds.

Heart Skills® — Be Strong International

Test Your Heart Skills® Today

Learn Heart Skills®

Healthy relationships are not built by chance. They are built with practical skills that create trust, connection, growth, and joy.

Take the free Heart Skills® quiz to discover your relationship strengths and areas for growth.

Take the Quiz

No More Relationship Guesswork. Just Practical Tools That Work.

Be Strong International is a nonprofit organization helping people navigate real relationship challenges with Heart Skills®, practical tools that encourage clear communication, healthier conflict management, and stronger connections.

  • 30+ years supporting South Florida families and communities
  • 250,000 community members served
  • Practical relationship tools for real-life moments
  • Programs that support youth, parents, couples, and families
  • Community-based work that strengthens trust, belonging, and connection
  • Family strengthening programs that support lasting change at home and beyond
  • Trusted by corporate partners and individual donors to create visible community impact

We understand the cost of disconnection. We also know what's possible when people are given the right support, the right tools, and a clear path toward healthy relationships.

Chief Heart Officer of Be Strong International

A Message from Our Chief Heart Officer®

"Every person deserves the skills to build relationships that feel safe, trusting, and joyful. At Be Strong International, we believe transformation starts with one conversation, one skill, one moment of genuine connection. That's what Heart Skills® are all about."

GreatNonprofits 2023 Top-Rated Nonprofit Charity Navigator Four-Star Rating Candid Platinum Transparency 2025
Our Programs

3 Ways to Build Stronger Relationships

Choose the path that fits your needs right now. Every option is built on Heart Skills®, our practical approach to relationship coaching for real-life relationship challenges.

Family connecting and building healthy relationships together
For Individuals & Families

Workshops, Courses & Coaching

Learn how to have a healthy relationship with your partner, your children, and the people closest to you. Our programs offer practical support for better communication, stronger trust, and family stability.

Find My Program
Youth engaged in a classroom workshop learning practical relationship skills
For Schools & Communities

Youth & Community Partnership Programs

Bring Heart Skills® into your school, shelter, faith community, or organization. We partner with local institutions to reach youth and families with tools that build belonging, confidence, and meaningful connection.

Team Up With Be Strong
Corporate team engaged in a healthy culture training session
For Companies & Corporate Teams

Healthy Culture Trainings

Help teams communicate better, work through tension, and build a more connected culture. Our trainings support trust, empathy, clearer communication, and stronger workplace relationships.

I Want a Stronger Team

Trusted By Our Beloved
Partners & Sponsors

Amazon
United Way Miami
The Carrie Meek Foundation
Peacock Foundation
Healthy Marriage & Responsible Fatherhood
Florida Department of Children and Families
Mastercard
The Miami Foundation
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
The Children's Trust
Miami-Dade County
The Kirk Foundation
SouthState
The Batchelor Foundation
Broward County Public Schools
Florida Health
Department of Health & Human Services
Community Foundation of Broward
FedEx
MPS Credit Union
Testimonials

Real Stories, Real Impact.

"Be Strong International has been a valued partner in delivering impactful professional learning experiences for our faculty and staff. Through Social Yaks and their facilitated approach, they create an environment where meaningful conversations, empathy, and authentic connection develop quickly and naturally. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Be Strong International in support of our employees and the broader community."

Patrick Nellis

District Director, Center for Institutional and Organizational Learning · Miami Dade College

"I really appreciate the time and effort the BSI team invested in working with us. The sessions truly resonated with our team. Shortly after the training, we were faced with a fast-moving decision, and our leadership intentionally created space for more voices to be part of the conversation. That shift led to a more holistic and thoughtful outcome. To me, that was a clear example of the impact of the Social Yaks experience."

Tony Andenoro

Director of Community Engagement & Programming · Florida Atlantic University

"I experienced Social Yaks for the first time with a group of people I hadn't met before, and within just one session, I felt like I truly got to know them. Everyone was highly engaged, and despite connecting with many people throughout the conference, I built deeper connections in that hour than anywhere else."

Lauren Fields

Program Specialist for Programs for Young Leaders · Rotary International

"Social Yaks was fun and gave me the opportunity to connect with people I had never met in a short amount of time, while still being myself. What stood out was the shift—from initial caution to genuine laughter, vulnerability, and openness. It truly created the level of empathy we aim for in meaningful group experiences."

Lisl Hacker

Director of Training and Technical Assistance · Massachusetts Service Alliance

"I loved it. What stood out most was how easy it became to engage in conversation and be vulnerable with others. We had people of different ages and backgrounds, yet it felt natural to connect on a deeper level. Social Yaks creates a space for sincere, honest connection where you can truly be yourself and build meaningful relationships with those around you."

Alondra Ramirez Martinez

Parent Information Center VISTA · Manchester City Schools

"Social Yaks with our staff and participants was incredible. People who didn't know each other opened up and shared in ways they hadn't before. It served as a powerful tool to help individuals connect, build trust, and truly get to know one another."

Gale S. Nelson

President & CEO · Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami

"Social Yaks creates a safe and welcoming space, especially for those who may not be naturally outgoing. It helps people connect and realize that we have more in common than we think."

Ailyn Sotolongo

Community Assistant · University of Miami

"The structure of Social Yaks created space for honest, engaging participation and allowed me to connect with others and share personal experiences without feeling judged."

Kristian Vargas

Human Resources · East Ridge Senior Living

"We recently had the opportunity to have the Social Yaks team join one of our office meetings, and I was truly impressed by the level of engagement, collaboration, and positive energy they brought to the room. Social Yaks delivered on all three. The session sparked meaningful conversations, strengthened team connection, and introduced a fresh, innovative approach to engagement and team building."

Yenny Cevallos

COO · CritiCare Clinics, Inc.

"It was engaging and thought-provoking. It made me reflect on my own experiences while connecting with others in a meaningful way."

Tai Eng Wong

Admissions & Registration · Miami Dade College

"I appreciated the opportunity to truly get to know others. It reminded me that everyone is going through something, and that shared understanding creates real connection."

Sharda Hargrove

Ann Storck Center

"This experience helped me open up and learn more about others. It showed me that it's okay to be vulnerable and share."

Terreyona Gavin

Ann Storck Center

"The level of engagement and authenticity stood out. It showed how quickly people can open up when given a safe space and the right questions."

Kristine Martinez

Admissions & Registration · Miami Dade College

"It was powerful to see how personal and meaningful conversations can develop in such a short amount of time. You realize we are all coming from a place of vulnerability."

Jean Zabala

South Dade One Voice Community Coalition

"It helped me open up about difficult conversations and build deeper connections with my peers. I learned that the people you least expect can often relate to you the most."

Carlos Calderon

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FAQs

Be Strong International FAQs

Be Strong International helps people build healthy relationships by teaching practical Heart Skills® that strengthen communication, rebuild connection, and support safer, more trusting, and joyful relationships. We support families through educational workshops, youth and parenting programs, community outreach, and family strengthening activities.

You can volunteer at our food drives and other community give-back events. Visit our Volunteer page to sign up and see current opportunities.

You can support our nonprofit organization by clicking the donate button. Your gift helps fund youth and family programs, including in-school and after-school programs, in-house visitation parenting programs, and family strengthening program activities for participants.

Heart Skills® are practical, learnable skills that help people listen differently, communicate with clarity and courage, and navigate conflict in healthier ways. They help individuals and families build stronger, closer, and more trusting relationships.

Visit our events page to view upcoming workshops, community events, and seasonal initiatives.

Transform Your Relationships with Heart Skills® or Become a Donor Today

Join thousands of families and communities who have experienced the power of healthier relationships through Be Strong International.