Handy (Helping Advance and Nurture the Development of Youth) will host its 20th Annual Scholars Breakfast presented by UKG on Friday, May 23 from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. at The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.

· This year’s Scholars Breakfast, themed Passport to the Future, will celebrate scholars from foster, relative, and non-relative care who have beat the odds and graduated from college within the last 12 months.

· In addition, this year’s Breakfast will honor four 2025 Champions of Children recipients whose interest, vision, and generous support have significantly contributed to Handy’s continued success.

· This year, Handy is celebrating its 40-year anniversary. Handy was founded in 1985 by Ed Pudaloff, who wished to create something special to help abused and neglected children in the Broward County community. He reached out to two of his closest friends, Marti Huizenga and Kathy Jackson, for help. The three of them started fundraising committees and created scholarship funds, bought clothes for children, and celebrated their birthdays. In the beginning, they had two well-known events, Easter for Kids and the Fashion Show, which went on for years before incorporating other events such as the Scholars Breakfast.

Graduating Scholars:

Ashley Natalia Coll – Florida International University | Dual Degree in Political Science and Religious Studies, BA, Certificate in Pre-Law and Christian Studies

Tatiana Johnson – Sheridan Technical College | Licensed Esthetician

Dynesyta Tulloch – Hillsborough Community College | Associate of Arts

Geovany Barrueta – Broward College | Associate of Arts

Judith Major – Florida International University | Bachelor of Health Services Administration

Niya Leigh – New York University | Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies

Nathaniel Davis – Valencia College | Associate of Science – Culinary Management

Wiljuna Melendez – Broward College | Associate of Arts

*Joined the United States Navy*

Marvin Brewster – Blinn College | Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology

*Joined the United States Army Special Forces*

Ja’la Hazel – Florida Atlantic University | Bachelor of Arts in General Studies

Champions of Children Award Recipients:

Richard Charlemon – Chief Executive Officer at Reyna Group Home

Melissa Green – HOPE Project Director

Joseph Printz – Community Advocate

Larry Rein – CEO and President of ChildNet

DETAILS: Individual tickets are $100 and can be purchased here: https://www.handyinc.org/events/scholarsbreakfast2025/

Valet parking will be complimentary. Please use the following address to take you directly to the event valet — 3030 Granada St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.

For additional details or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Desiree Saunders, Vice President of Development, Handy, at dsaunders@handyinc.org