Handy (Helping Advance and Nurture the Development of Youth) hosted over 500 guests at The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort for the 18th Annual Scholars Breakfast. The event raised over $450,000, which will significantly support Handy’s scholarship program and make a tangible difference in the lives of at-risk youth.
“We may be in our 18th year of hosting the Scholars Breakfast, but each event feels just as special as the first,” Kirk Brown says, CEO of Handy. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our graduating scholars and to honor the community partners and supporters who champion the Handy mission. We are incredibly proud of all our graduates and look forward to seeing all that they will accomplish in the future.”
This year’s Excellence of Bloom Scholars Breakfast honored scholarship recipients from foster, relative, and non-relative care who have overcome challenges and graduated within the last 12 months. Additionally, the event recognized four Champions of Children honorees from our community, whose passion, vision, and generous support have contributed significantly to Handy’s ongoing success.
2024 Graduating Scholars:
- Sean Wobby, Florida Atlantic University – Bachelor of Public Management in Public Administration
- Roxana Rodriguez, Florida International University – Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration
- Martine David, Florida International University – Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Psychology with a minor in Business Finance
- Edward Pratt, Broward College – Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
- Marc Louis, Broward College – Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Maikaia Speights, Florida International University – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Ryan Dominique, Barry University – Master Public Administration
- Alexa Heywood, Florida Atlantic University – Master of Accounting
- Dimitri Richard, Florida Atlantic University – Master of Social Work
Champions of Children Award Recipients:
- FreshPoint South Florida
- Dr. Shino Bay Aguilera
- Andy and Allison Cagnetta
- Burnadette Norris-Weeks
Handy was established in 1985 by Ed Pudaloff with a noble mission to assist abused and neglected children in the Broward County community. With the support of his close friends, Marti Huizenga and Kathy Jackson, they formed fundraising committees, initiated scholarship funds, provided clothing for children, and celebrated their birthdays. The organization’s early initiatives, including the Scholars Breakfast, were instrumental in raising awareness and funds for our cause, and they continue to be a testament to our commitment to youth development and education.
