HANDY presents Professor Anthony Abbate with its Champions of Children Award

School of Architecture Professor Anthony Abbate and his wife, Jaye Abbate, vice president of communications and community relations for Florida’s Children First, were presented with the Champions of Children Award at HANDY’s 15th Annual Scholars Breakfast that took place virtually on May 21, 2021. The two have been active with HANDY (which provides academic and personal assistance to students) for over 10 years.

In a statement HANDY wrote: Anthony and Jaye Abbate both have had life experiences and traditions that make the mission of HANDY something they want to share. Anthony in his capacity as a professor and formerly as a higher education administrator provides opportunities for learning and growth, working with the HANDY network, as a matter of actions that translate to equity for the most disadvantaged and neglected youth in our community. Jaye sees lives that are hard for youth and adults and wants to ease that burden. "We are lucky to have them as part of our HANDY youth’s lives. They both take joy in getting to know and assisting HANDY’S kids," said HANDY CEO Kirk Brown.

Graduating HANDY scholars who hail from FAU are: Stephanie Guerra, who graduated this year with a bachelor’s in social work; Lizbeth Moreno who graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s in business management and administration; and Szatoria Ward, who graduated with a bachelor’s in social work in 2020.