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In Fiscal Year 2008-2009 HANDY provided free services to a total of 1,932 children touching their lives 16,500 times. |
HANDY’s key programs provide children safety and well being, education, social and recreational activities, and advocates to give these children a voice. All programs are provided free of charge to children/youth and include:
Emergency and Children’s Needs Program
HANDY won’t let a child go hungry – we fill in the cracks where other services end.
Provides essential support including:
- Grocery store gift cards to purchase fresh and non-perishable food to prevent hunger
- Gift cards to purchase new clothing, shoes, and personal care items • Bus passes to ensure safe transportation
- New beds for children sleeping on the floor or sharing a bed with a sibling or adult
- Emergency housing assistance (i.e. rent, utility payment) for older youth and caregivers
- Access to healthcare for children and older youth with no other medical coverage to help prevent complications from illness and decrease absenteeism from school and/or work
- Back to School shopping for clothes, shoes, and school supplies, for school age children • Holiday food baskets and holiday gifts to help these fragile children feel special
“LIFE” Program (Life skills, Independent living, Foundation building, Education/Employment)
In 2002, the LIFE Program was created to set youth up for success as adults. Seven years and hundreds of kids later, the LIFE program’s professional staff of accredited teachers, licensed social workers and support staff serves more youth now than ever, almost 300 every year.
Life Skills
- Assessment and LIFE Plan
- Field trips
- Bi-weekly life skills instruction including:
- Finance, money management
- Healthy relationships o Healthy meals / food preparation
- Living on your own
Independent Living
Transitional Independent Living (TIL) support for older youth (ages 15 – 23) as they move out of the dependency system into self-sufficiency. Support includes academic assistance, career counseling, and housing stipends
Foundation Building
- Youth Advocacy Board
- Community resources
- Healthcare and mental health support
- Counseling and Mentoring
Education/Employment
- Academic support including tutoring and scholarships.
- Employment skills training
College and Vocational School Scholarships
Because of the personal attention and investment in each individual, 100% of youth in HANDY’s LIFE program graduate from high school, and just as if they were our own children, we ensure that each one has the opportunity and financial support to attend college.
- HANDY initiates tuition waivers at Broward College, Florida Atlantic University and other public Florida colleges and universities.
- Financial scholarships for books and supplies and living stipends
- Assistance in accessing other available financial aid
- Academic guidance and support from staff and mentors
Guardian ad Litem Auxiliary “Voices for Children”
HANDY was founded by Guardian ad Litem, Ed Pudaloff in 1985 to provide support services to the children in “the system.” HANDY’s history has always been intimately tied to Guardian ad Litem. Judges, attorneys and lay people provide much needed expertise and support for HANDY.
- HANDY fundraising committee that supports and promotes the Guardian ad Litem program for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit.
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