Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Henderson Behavioral Health (HBH), South Florida's oldest and largest not-for-profit behavioral healthcare system, was recently awarded $30,000 from The Jim Moran Foundation. Since 2007, The Foundation has provided more than $100,000 in grants to HBH's Wilson Gardens. This transitional housing program serves young adult males who have "aged out" of the foster care system and require additional resources to manage their mental health issues while mastering the skills necessary for self-sufficiency.

Henderson Behavioral Health CEO, Dr. Steven Ronik commented, "We are honored to have such extraordinary support from The Jim Moran Foundation to fill such a huge gap in supporting these young people as they take their first steps toward independent living and adulthood.  We are proud to be a partner with The Jim Moran Foundation and thank them for their generosity and belief in our Mission."

The apartment complex is comprised of seven (7) individual one (1) bedroom, one (1) bath units of which six (6) are dedicated to residential occupancy.  The seventh unit is utilized as housing for the on-site resident manager.  The resident manager provides on-site supervision, 24/7 access to a caring adult, assistance regarding housing needs, and coordination of rent payments. Additionally, the manager ensures a safe living environment and enforces rules on a daily basis.  Together with the Wilson Gardens staff, residents participate in a weekly community meeting every Friday, where their voices are included in the planning process.  Residents are encouraged to share skills with each other, "peer to peer," such as cooking a specialty meal, computer literacy, driver's license preparation, weight training/fitness, etc.  Guest speakers are invited to join the community meeting every alternate week to speak/train on a variety of topics such as minority development, HIV/AIDS awareness, healthy relationships, housing opportunities, and careers.

The Wilson Gardens apartment-living program also provides intensive case management, life skills training, independent living skills, and most importantly, a much needed safety net during this often difficult time of transition into adulthood, thus decreasing their risk of becoming homeless. Through community partnerships, "hands-on" experiential learning opportunities, and supportive services, these young men have the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to eventually live independently and successfully in the community.

Founded by automotive pioneer Jim Moran, the mission of The Jim Moran Foundation is to improve the quality of life for the youth and families of Florida through the support of innovative programs and opportunities that meet the ever-changing needs of the community. The Foundation has invested more than $25 million in education, elder care, family strengthening, after school and youth transitional living initiatives since its inception in 2000 - with efforts currently focused in Broward, Palm Beach and Duval counties. Through a long-term Grant Agreement, The Foundation's significant funders are JM Family Enterprises, Inc., and its subsidiaries, including Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC. It is located at 100 Jim Moran Blvd., Deerfield Beach, Fla. 33442. To learn more, visit www.jimmoranfoundation.org or call (954) 429-2122.

Henderson Behavioral Health (HBH) is a private, not-for-profit behavioral healthcare system providing comprehensive, recovery-focused services to more than 20,000 people of all ages every year.  HBH provides a continuum of high quality, community-based preventions, and education, treatment and rehabilitation services and utilizes clinical best practices and evidence-based treatment models to maximize recovery.   For more than 50 years, HBH has helped people in south Florida discover new beginnings in their lives.  Visit Henderson at www.hendersonbehavioralhealth.org