Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirk Brown.
Hi Kirk, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in the beautiful ugly. The wonderful island of Jamaica in a loving poverty stricken community. My mom migrated to America and we soon followed after she filed for us to arrive. This process took roughly 8 years. I like to say, she’s the most resilient human being I’ve ever met in my life. I Graduated from Ely High School which set the foundation for my continued academic journey, which led me to earn my degree from Florida Atlantic University. The plan was to go to law school until a gifted day when I saw a homeless kid on a street corner and something spiritual moved in me, that has remained to this day, “No child should suffer that way”. So, I went into the best field in America, Social Work. I’ve been blessed to work with some of the most caring and loving people. From the Board members, staff and mostly the clients I’m empowered every day, that truth exist only in love. Plus, Humanity is the only definition of wealth that I believe we can count on.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This is a resounding NO. It has never been a smooth road. I was born in the flames of poverty with a nothing is impossible personality, so I do not fit the regular persona of social services. The client we serve exists at a level of poverty and destitution that questions our humanity. Our team fights constantly to overcome barriers to build access to opportunity for our youth. This marks 29 years that I have been doing this profession, and I do 3 things that are not traditionally embraced from our field of work. Firstly, Innovative Risk. I strongly believe that our community needs us to take innovative risks. Constantly pushing the industry envelope to make services better and faster. Secondly, I’m unapologetically proud of the work we do. We save lives and we should know that’s the most important thing in life. Thirdly, I quit things that don’t work immediately. The clients we serve do not have the time for us to placate to emotions/political ideologies or “this is just the way things are”. In common sense terms, the homeless client needs us to quit the process that does not provide them with somewhere to live.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
For 40 years, Handy has been the steady hand and safe place for youth who have faced foster care, homelessness, and unimaginable instability. We do not offer quick
fixes. We walk with young people from adolescence into adulthood and provide the stability, skills, and support they need to build a life they are proud of.
What makes Handy different is simple. We treat the whole person. From mental health counseling to housing support, from academic tutoring to paid internships and industry certifications, every service removes a barrier and opens a door. When a youth needs food, a bus pass, therapy, rent assistance, or a mentor, Handy shows up immediately. And that is what we are known for. We show up, we stay consistent, and we help young people turn survival into success.
Our brand reflects that promise. Handy has become synonymous with hope, opportunity, and a village that never lets go. It is more than a logo. It is a lifeline, a community, and a pathway to self-sufficiency.
If there is one thing to know, it is this. Handy changes the trajectory of young lives. We give youth the tools, the support, and the belief they need to thrive. And every person who engages with our mission becomes part of that story and part of the village that makes transformation possible.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The greatest lesson I’ve learned is to recognize the sacred humanity God has entrusted to us. To witness lives transformed is pure joy. Take time to sit in those moments. Honor them. Give them the grace they deserve before moving on to the next challenge. And never forget to celebrate the good we do, the GOOD must shine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.handyinc.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handysouthfl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HANDYSouthFL
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-brown-1b60ab31/
