Local nonprofit It's Free to Dream funds a full year of citywide access for Milford youth ages 13–18, alongside existing support for Bridges Healthcare's child and family services
-- Beginning September 1, 2026, every teenager in Milford ages 13 to 18 will have free, unlimited access to Navi, a digital mental wellness platform designed to help teens work through everyday challenges: from school stress and social tension to more serious struggles, in ten minutes or less. The citywide initiative is fully funded by It's Free to Dream Foundation, a Milford-area 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention, co-founded by Kenneth Steeves and Chris Taft, which raised funds to cover a one-year contract for the entire community.
Navi (meetnavi.com) is not an AI chatbot. It is a private, self-guided web application built by mental health experts and co-designed with teens. Its short activities are based on single-session intervention research developed by Dr. Jessica Schleider of Northwestern University, an approach clinically shown to reduce hopelessness and improve wellbeing after even a single use. The platform includes a built-in safety plan and direct connections to crisis resources, works on any device through a web browser, and requires no cost, referral, or appointment.
"I started this foundation in honor of my mother, Randi, because I believe no one should have to face life's struggles alone," said Ken Steeves, Founder and President of It's Free to Dream Foundation. "With Navi, every teenager in Milford now has access to real, evidence-based mental health support in their pocket: at 2 a.m. on a Sunday, not weeks from now, but the moment they need it. This partnership is about making help immediate, accessible, and available before a crisis becomes an emergency."
“Ken and I built this foundation on a simple belief: that no one should have to wait or go it alone to get help. Bringing Navi to Milford, where we grew up, makes that belief real and immediate for the whole community. We are just getting started,” said Chris Taft, Co-Founder, It's Free to Dream Foundation.
Milford joins a growing national movement. Navi recently launched statewide in New Mexico in partnership with the state's Health Care Authority, where local youth advisory boards help shape the platform's content and outreach for their communities. Milford will follow the same model: Navi and It's Free to Dream will be recruiting a Milford Youth Advisory Board of students from Joseph A. Foran and Jonathan Law high schools to co-design local outreach and ensure the platform reflects what Milford teens need.
"Navi was built with teens, not just for them. Our youth advisory boards shape everything from the language we use to the topics we cover. They tell us what matters. As we bring Navi to Connecticut, we're carrying that same principle forward: real teen voice must be at the center, or the tool doesn't earn trust. That's non-negotiable for every place we launch," said Julia Belt, CEO, Navi.
As part of the same fundraising effort, It's Free to Dream also raised funds for Bridges Healthcare, Milford's community behavioral health provider. Bridges' child and family services will be featured within
Navi as a local resource, so that teens who need more than a self-guided activity can find trusted, nearby professional care in just a few taps.
“At Bridges, we are committed to promoting mental health and wellness in our community. We are excited that Navi, through a partnership with the It’s Free to Dream Foundation, has selected the Milford community to share their resource with. We look forward to working with them as it becomes available,” says Allison Csonka, Sr. Director of Development & Communications, Bridges Healthcare.
Key facts:
• Who: All Milford teens ages 13–18 (approximately 1,500–1,600 students attend Foran and Law high schools alone)
• What: Free, unlimited access to Navi for one full year, funded by It's Free to Dream Foundation • When: Starting September 1, 2026
• How: no app download, no cost or referral required; QR codes will be distributed throughout schools and city signage
• Safety: Self-guided and private; not diagnostic; does not use generative AI; includes crisis resources and a built-in safety plan
About It's Free to Dream Foundation
It's Free to Dream Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. Founded by Kenneth Steeves and Chris Taft in honor of Ken’s mother, Randi May Steeves, the foundation works to ensure that no one faces their struggles alone: fostering open dialogue, hope, and access to life-saving resources. Learn more at itsfreetodream.org.
About Navi
Navi is a youth wellness platform that delivers evidence-based activities that helps teens tackle their challenges anytime they need. Co-founded by Julia Belt, Margaret Hines, and Dr. Jessica Schleider, Navi is co-designed with youth advisory boards across the country. Learn more at meetnavi.com.
About Bridges Healthcare
Bridges Healthcare provides comprehensive behavioral health services to the greater Milford community, including child and family services. Learn more at bridgesct.org.
Contact Info:
Name: Margaret Hines
Email: Send Email
Organization: Navi
Website: https://www.meetnavi.com/
Release ID: 89201120
Should you come across any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within this press release's content, we urge you to reach out without delay by contacting error@releasecontact.com (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our committed team will promptly address your feedback within 8 hours and take appropriate measures to resolve any identified issues or guide you through the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information remains our utmost priority.
