SOUTH REGION
$6 million FCLF Loan
Acquisition financing for social services organization
43,420 square feet
Handy, or Helping Advance and Nurture the Development of Youth, was founded in 1985 to transform the lives of youth and their families by empowering them to take control of their own narratives and create a better future for themselves. The organization serves youth in high-risk communities in Broward County, Florida, including youth in foster care or living with relatives; and in homes where the income is 100% below the Federal Poverty Line.
Handy has worked with over 54,000 youth since inception; an estimated 1,100 annually in recent years, with programs including life skills, education, employment skills, case management, counseling and mentoring. The organization also provides social and recreational activities, emergency needs assistance for food, clothing, and housing, post-secondary education support including internships and job placements, and more. In total youth receive over 43,000 agency hours of support each year and are offered 40 types of direct services.
With financing from Florida Community Loan Fund, Handy is purchasing a 43,000 square-foot building in Fort Lauderdale for its headquarters. Owning its location will ensure the organization is able to remain in the community it serves, and the location is larger than Handy’s former offices, allowing for expansion of programs to reach more individuals in need. Additional space in the building will be available for rent to local nonprofits or service providers.
The metrics illustrating the organization’s impact are plentiful. Some examples include: 95% of program participants finish high school, 98% who were tutored improved in their subject by at least one letter grade, 85% of youth were able to obtain/maintain stable housing, 60% achieved unsubsidized employment, 100% of youth received some form of employment and 99% of youth had no further law violations.
Handy provides a wide range of social services to youth in Broward County, providing positive impact for its clients’ academic success, behavior, housing stability, and employment opportunities. This loan will provide a permanent home for the organization, with room to expand and additional income for programs to be generated by leased space.
Pictured above, the building that will become Handy's new headquarters. Below, Handy programs help area youth create better futures.
