Love, Lessons, and The Movement

April 23, 2025

A Moment of Reflection from Outgoing BeWellPBC Executive Director Lauren Zuchman

Palm Health Foundation supports BeWellPBC, a county-wide behavioral health initiative. After 10 years of leading community change through Healthier Delray Beach and BeWellPBC, Lauren Zuchman will bring her passion to a new chief officer role in Palm Beach County with continued reinforcement of community at the forefront. 


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:

  1. We are all stewards of health. Each of us brings our own resources, talents, skills, and passion to the work we do. Systems need to make way for the community so collective efforts and aspirations can be realized.
  2. Relationships are everything. It’s not just about who you know. It’s about building connections with those you haven’t met yet and forming meaningful, deeper connections with people around you. This community has taught me that giving and gaining — sharing in one another’s hopes, struggles, and triumphs — is where true strength lies.
  3. Follow the energy. There’s incredible power in thinking differently and taking bold actions. The dividends of this kind of energy are endless, and it’s been humbling to witness what happens when we do.


These aren’t simple principles. They require bravery, boldness, and trust in one another that cannot be understated. They ask for adaptability, transparency, and a commitment to sustainability. But, in the end, this is the equation for community success: leaders will come and go, but the impact we create together will be everlasting.


I will continue to champion this movement, still leading in Palm Beach County, taking my love for this community and the lessons forward to influence change in more spaces across the county. 


I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. I know this important work will continue to flourish in our hands. We’ve built something extraordinary together, and I can’t wait to see how this community evolves.


Please continue to follow and engage with BeWellPBC in its mission to lead the change we all want to see in our families, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and cities. I know I will.


(Be) Well Wishes,

Lauren

April 27, 2026
Palm Health Foundation proudly supports paid practicum experiences for FAU’s Sandler School of Social Work MSW students. Through this support, we’re removing financial barriers to education and growing a capable behavioral health workforce in our community. One of FAU’s outstanding MSW students, Amy Ferguson, was placed with the Palm Health Foundation team for her learning, and provided a reflection on her experience:
April 24, 2026
West Palm Beach, Fla. – Palm Health Foundation today announced the election of new officers to serve on its board of trustees. The new leadership brings decades of combined experience in health, community development, law, and philanthropy to guide the foundation's mission to inspire and fund solutions for better health in Palm Beach County through community collaboration. 
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South Florida Positioned as One of Four U.S. Brain Economy Hubs Poised for National and Global Influence 
February 24, 2026
Palm Health Foundation is pleased to share our 2025 Report to the Community, which highlights our commitment to leading change for better health – now and for generations to come.
January 27, 2026
Healthier Boynton Beach, a Palm Health Foundation initiative, recently celebrated the unwavering dedication of family caregivers at its 9th Annual Caregivers Recognition Luncheon at Benvenuto Restaurant in Boynton Beach. More than 150 guests gathered for an afternoon of appreciation, connection, and joy. "Caring Hearts & Strong Hands – Celebrating the Love and Dedication of Family Caregivers," honored 130 family caregivers during a celebration that featured laughter, music, and meaningful moments, giving caregivers a well-deserved respite from their daily responsibilities. Montre Bennett opened the program with a mindfulness moment, followed by Boynton Beach Mayor Rebecca Shelton’s heartfelt welcome and personal caregiving story. Vice Mayor Woodrow Hay delivered the invocation before lunch, then handed the microphone to event host Rod-Z, who entertained guests with comedy, songs, and dancing. The JSharp Band provided outstanding live music that had caregivers on their feet throughout the afternoon.  Highlights of the event included keynote speaker Charlotte Wright’s moving message acknowledging the challenges and profound rewards of family caregivers’ service, and the presentation of the prestigious Caregiver Award to Angela T. Williams of Delray Beach, recognizing her extraordinary dedication and selfless service to her husband.
January 27, 2026
Thanks to a grant from Palm Health Foundation , The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) in West Palm Beach recently hosted a Day of Wellness for Palm Beach County School District Behavioral Health Professionals, who dedicate their lives to providing behavioral and mental health services to students. Seventy frontline mental health staff enjoyed a day of reflection, relaxation, rejuvenation, self-care, and professional development. The Day of Wellness was created in recognition of professionals’ deep commitment to the county’s youth and the emotional toll of the high-impact services they provide as challenges among school-age children continue to rise. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health , between 2016 and 2023, the prevalence of diagnosed depression among 12–17-year-olds increased by 45 percent, and diagnosed anxiety increased by 61 percent.  Set amidst ANSG’s beautiful and peaceful landscape of the sculpture gardens and the historic, inspirational Artist Studio, the program featured a series of therapeutic experiences led by local expert facilitators, including Creating a Garden of Gratitude and Hope, a therapeutic experience blending visual arts with personal reflections by Tiffany Mitchell and Amy Case of Rhythms of Hope, and Music for Mindfulness and Intention led by Bree Lukosavich. Participants also enjoyed creating a watercolor mindscape with art therapist Alicia Ballestas, exploring self-care with Shabrae Jackson, joining in a pollinator planting activity with ANSG Master Gardener CJ McCartney, and closing the day with a drumming circle led by Abasi Hanif.
November 26, 2025
The Palm Health Foundation Endowment Fund provides the financial foundation for long-term strategic action.
November 21, 2025
This fall, Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative , hosted a celebration event with community and partners to honor the resident-led work accomplished over the years of the initiative’s existence. In addition to food and fellowship, attendees shared aspirations for the initiative’s future and reflected on highlights, such as: The impact of Healthier Glades’ mini grants offerings Reduction of youth violence through collaborations with the “Dads on Duty” initiative The air quality initiative spearheaded in partnership with PHF Trustee Dr. Lisa Wiese The Safety Walk – an effort to identify unsafe areas on children’s walk-to-school routes, leading to the establishment of flashing lights in critical areas Resident connection to Mental Health First Aid training , strengthening the recognition that mental health is health Palm Health Foundation is honored to be part of the work that continues to advance health in the Glades communities.