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About Us
 HANDY began with a donation of $1,000 and shared office space with the Guardian ad Litem Program in the County Courthouse. HANDY currently leases a 3,200 square foot facility in downtown Ft. Lauderdale housing its administrative offices and LIFE (Life skills, Independent living, Foundation building, and Education) Program. We leased an additional 5,000 square foot storefront and warehouse located in Lauderdale Lakes in 2004 for our Clothing Bank and Emergency Needs Program.
HANDY provides comprehensive, direct-service programs designed to ensure healthy childhood development by meeting emergency needs for food, clothing, and beds; providing independent living skills training to assist youth with the transition into adulthood; and providing educational, recreational, and social programs so these fragile children can experience some of the joys of childhood to which they would not otherwise have access. Our goal is to help children remain safe, receive their most basic needs, nurturing and support as they heal and rebuild their lives. All programs and services are free of cost to the children.
Facts & Figures
The facts regarding abused and neglected children in Broward County are disturbing:
• Ranked number 2 in the state, Broward County receives almost 10,000 calls a year on the Broward County Abuse Hotline.
Specific ChildNet Facts
• More than 2,600 children are currently under the court protection of Broward County. Nearly 1,800 of these children live in foster homes or shelters. Approximately 40% will never return to their parent. If not adopted, these children become wards of the state until the age of 18.
• Almost 90% of inmates in America's prison system were neglected or abused children.
• Almost 95% of child abusers were themselves abused as children.
From a Family Services Counselor with the Florida Department of Children and Families…
To Whom It May Concern: I just wanted to express how pleased I have been with the services provided to the children involved in the dependency court system. Recently, one of the teenagers on my caseload came to HANDY’s Clothing Bank and was able to pick out a few outfits for herself. She was even able to pick up an outfit for her brother who resides in a separate foster home. On my next visit with the child she had a smile from ear to ear and looked fabulous in her new clothes. Her foster parent also reported that the new clothes the children received definitely helped their self-esteem and confidence.
Over the years, HANDY has helped many of the children on my caseload, not only with clothes but also with food and beds. The services provided have helped some of my families get reunified, get through tough times, helped kids go to summer camp, and also share Thanksgiving meals together. It is hard for me to imagine the dependency system without such a helpful and giving agency as HANDY. Keep up the wonderful work that you do and if you ever need help with anything, please feel free to contact me…"
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