Hand Up To Victory

Hand Up To Victory is local 501c3 non-profit organization located in Manatee County. We serve individuals seeking recovery from drug and alcohol addiction that have no resources and no family or loved ones to help them. We provide placement and temporary funding for sober transitional housing for those we serve. Once placed, we can provide food, clothing, hygiene items, prepaid cell phones, vouchers for replacement identification, employment connections, resources, peer support, family intervention services and endless amounts of encouragement. Our mission is to provide support, stability, and security to those seeking recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. We believe with peer support and access to basic needs these individuals will be able to completely restore their lives and become self sustaining members of our community.

Our Executive Director and Founder Justin Halas struggled with addiction for 15 years. As of November 2023 he has 10 years completely sober. Justin realized there was a crucial piece missing in the recovery process for individuals that truly desire to change their lives. Before Hand Up To Victory, these individuals were stuck returning to the streets regardless of their desire to live a sober functional life. This leads to a feeling of hopelessness for them and an inevitable return to addiction. This cycle will, inevitably lead to illnesses related to substance use, a return to incarceration, or unfortunately, in many cases, an untimely death due to a drug overdose. We desire to be a light in these individuals’ dark world and to help them find sobriety, a support system, and success in recovery.

Sheriff Rick Wells fully supports the work Hand Up To Victory is doing in our community. He knows we are not going to arrest our way out of this addiction crisis. Hand Up To Victory is a preferred resource for Manatee County Jail. Sheriff Wells says it gives him a peace of mind knowing those being released have an opportunity to change their lives upon being released should they want it.