Our Programs & Services

HANDY provides the following programs and services free of cost to children in Broward County's child welfare system.

EMERGENCY NEEDS AND FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAM

Of the abused and neglected children eligible for our services, many have been placed with non-relative and relative caregivers under Protective Supervision (PS).  The majority of these caregivers are economically disadvantaged, not eligible for the funding that is allocated to foster families, and not prepared to face the financial challenges that arise in emergency situations.  The Children’s Emergency Needs program is a temporary measure that can keep a family together until family services counselors can evaluate the circumstances and identify an alternate source of assistance.  With a referral from their case worker or Guardian ad Litem, both PS and foster care children can turn to HANDY in emergency situations.

Clothing Bank

HANDY’s Clothing Bank provides free clothing, shoes, personal care items, beds, cribs, and household items to the children we serve.  An important part of a child’s confidence comes from feeling “just like everyone else.”  More information....

Emergency Needs Program

Nutritious food is not always plentiful or available when children are placed with a relative or non-relative caregiver.  It takes 4-6 weeks from the time food stamps are applied for until they are received.  HANDY steps in and provides food and/or food vouchers, so children will not go hungry. 

HANDY also supplies personal care items, school supplies and beds. More information...

SOCIAL/RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

HANDY provides social, recreational, and summer camp experiences to children who are     innocent victims of poverty, abuse, and neglect.  We help these at-risk children to face life’s  hurdles by addressing their most pressing needs, while at the same time providing a variety of enriching opportunities that enhance the child’s social skills and self-esteem.

Back to School Shopping Spree

Every summer, HANDY children are sponsored to a “Back to School Shopping Spree.”  More information...

Holiday Gift Program

The Holiday Gift Program is our most ambitious and heartwarming undertaking of the entire year.  More information...

Summer Residential Camp

Youth in HANDY’s LIFE Program have the opportunity to attend Summer Residential Camp at Caruth Camp in Ingles, Florida providing them with one week (5 days/4 nights) of positive camping experiences in a wholesome atmosphere.  HANDY has always “filled the gaps” for the children in our child welfare system. Thanks to the Sun-Sentinel/WB Children's Fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation for making camp possible. 

Academic and Vocational Scholarships

HANDY’s Scholarship Program awards academic/vocational scholarships to children who have been under court supervision. We strongly believe that education is the way to break the cycle of poverty and abuse. We have 23 students enrolled in our scholarship program, with ten new applicants awaiting processing for fall enrollment. More information...

LIFE Program

(Life skills, Independent living, Foundation building and Education)

The LIFE program targets youth aged 12-18, who are living with relative and non-relative caregivers under Protective Supervision (PS) and those Foster Care youth who do not qualify for ChildNet's Independent Living Program. More information...

Guardian ad Litem Program

HANDY strongly believes that every child in the Dependency Court System should have a Guardian ad Litem to advocate in the child’s best interest. More information...