I sit here trying to capture my heart for this work in a message to you.
As I take the next step in my professional journey, I’m reflecting on where BeWellPBC has been, how far we’ve come, and the possibilities ahead. The lessons abound, the wins are many, and most prominent in my thoughts is my deep gratitude for everyone who has joined with BeWellPBC to transform behavioral health in Palm Beach County so every person can feel hopeful, supported, connected, and empowered.
Before establishing BeWellPBC, I experienced a turning point in my career when I joined Healthier Delray Beach (HDB). After many years of systems work, HDB awakened me to true community organizing. It brought to life the Margaret Wheatley quote: “Whatever the problem, community is the answer.” That has become my heartfelt mantra. Though I prefer not to think of our challenges as problems but as opportunities for solutions, I believe we, as a community, are undoubtedly the solution; we are capable of finding the answers to how we can best support each other so we all thrive.
Healthier Delray Beach has done just that – bringing together residents with great ideas, igniting unlikely partnerships, and supporting neighborhood champions to build what systems alone could not. This learning shaped BeWellPBC and the movement, allowing us to build even better and stronger community solutions together.
Three principles emerged at the heart of everything we do:
