Hundreds of back-to-school shoppers filled Coral Ridge Mall on Saturday morning, but this event was about more than just new clothes and school supplies.About 150 teenagers, ages 13 to 18, from Handy, a Fort Lauderdale nonprofit that serves at-promise youth, paired up with officers from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and Broward Sheriff’s Office for the annual “Shop With A Cop” event.Each student received a $100 gift card to shop for back-to-school clothing and other essentials at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Participants also took home backpacks filled with school supplies to help prepare for the upcoming school year.Organizers said the event is designed to ease the financial burden on families while also strengthening relationships between young people and law enforcement.By spending one-on-one time shopping together, officers and students have the opportunity to build trust, make personal connections and foster positive interactions outside of emergency situations.The event was sponsored by JM Family, TJ Maxx and the Community Police Relations Foundation.Handy, a nonprofit founded in 1985, has served more than 50,000 at-promise youth and their families through programs focused on youth development, mental health and wellness, education and career development, and housing assistance.Organizers say the goal is for every student to head into the new school year feeling confident and prepared. Officers say the event also gives them a chance to connect with young people in a positive setting and show a different side of policing.Many of the students wasted no time putting their $100 gift cards to use, leaving with new clothes, school essentials and backpacks filled with supplies before heading back for the start of the school year.
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