Husbands Hector Zuazo, who dedicated his career to education, and Bob Medina, who worked at AT&T for 33 years, met right after Hurricane Wilma at one of the monthly social gatherings of the “CoralGAYbles” Group at Tarpon Bend in Miracle Mile. Twenty years later, the couple is on a mission to make the world a better place.
When it comes to giving back, they are involved with many causes that support LGBTQ+ initiatives throughout Florida. “We are involved with Equality Florida, a statewide organization that is very active politically in Tallahassee, working toward stopping anti-gay legislation,” they say. “We also support SAGE (Senior Advocacy for Gay Elders), where we created the Lambda Living program, yielding affordable housing for elders.” Other organizations include SAVE, where the couple was involved when the organization was working to pass marriage equality in Florida; and Pride Line, offering vital support and space for LGBTQ+ youth. “Giving back is very important to us,” they say. “If there’s anything we can do to help make a difference, we are all in!”
Perhaps of all the organizations they support, none is as close to their heart as the YES Institute, an organization with a mission to prevent suicide and ensure healthy development of all youth through powerful communication and education on gender and orientation. Hector was first introduced to them when he was teaching at an alternative school in Miami-Dade County and a representative from YES Institute gave an insightful presentation to the students on navigating LGBTQ+ issues. “I remember some of the kids challenged what he was saying, and he handled it beautifully,” says Hector. “As an educator, I did not have much money back then but I knew I had to be involved with the organization in one capacity or another.” Nearly a decade ago, Hector introduced Bob to the organization and the pair have been avid supporters ever since. “We now have enough money to really help them out with acquiring the resources they need to really make an impact,” they say. “It’s been very fulfilling to work with them to help make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ youth.”
Founded in Miami in 1996, YES Institute has become one of the most thoughtful and important forces weaving community, conversation and care into the social fabric of families, schools and workplaces. At its heart, the organization is about opening doors: to empathy, to dialogue, and to lives that feel seen, accepted, and full of possibility. Their mission to prevent suicide and support healthy youth development through powerful communication and education around gender, orientation and identity, speaks to the heart of contemporary challenges many families navigatet too often in silence.
Moreover, what gives YES Institute its warm and powerful energy is the way it re-frames conversations many people shy away from. Rather than insisting that debates be about winners or correct answers, they invite participants to explore why certain fears or misconceptions take hold, and how best to move past them. In classrooms, homes, corporate training sessions, and community gatherings, the magic happens when people discover that empathy isn’t only a buzzword, it’s a practice. The programs are grounded in research and customized education, yet delivered with an emotional intelligence that feels genuine rather than clinical. Participants engage in workshops, dialogues, and professional development that aren’t just informative, they’re transformative. Teachers, parents, healthcare providers, and community leaders all speak to the same refrain: This work doesn’t just touch knowledge, it touches confidence, belonging and self-worth.
Over three decades, YES Institute’s influence has only grown. From South Florida roots, it now collaborates with agencies and organizations across North and South America, all anchored in culturally responsive approaches that honor local communities and their unique stories. This kind of intentional, empathetic outreach doesn’t just change minds, it reshapes the narrative of what support can look like, especially for young people who have few places where they feel truly understood.
Part of what makes YES Institute stand out in the nonprofit world is its attention to measurable impact without losing sight of the human story. It’s one thing to teach communication skills; it’s another to help people grapple with the very messages, both internal and external, that make them feel excluded, misunderstood, or unsafe. YES Institute does both.
The organization also knows how to celebrate. As YES Institute approaches its 30th Anniversary this year, the community is gearing up for a milestone celebration that embodies the same spirit of connection and gratitude that the nonprofit has fostered for decades. This kind of milestone isn’t just about longevity; it’s a celebration of impact, community care, and countless individuals who have felt seen, supported and empowered through the Institute’s work.
Perhaps the most compelling part of the story is the philosophy that there is no problem that communication cannot solve. “Through dialogue, education and compassion, YES Institute shapes communities where young people can thrive — and adults can meet them not with fear, but with open ears and open hearts,” they say. “In a world filled with noise and division, YES Institute reminds us that connection is not only possible, it’s essential.”; YESInstitute.org.
