Hand-N-Hand Community Services Foundation, Inc. is governed by community members with a combined 25-year track record of verified service delivery in East Palatka, Florida.
Hand-N-Hand Community Services Foundation, Inc. is a community-governed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our leadership is drawn directly from the East Palatka community — people with generational roots, lived experience, and a sustained record of delivering infrastructure and services to one of Putnam County's most underserved rural communities.
Our governance structure is designed to ensure accountability to the community we serve, transparency to our funders and partners, and fidelity to our nonprofit mission of converting generational poverty into generational wealth through the East Palatka Project.
Murri Shabazz (formerly Sharon Austin) is the founding Executive Director of Hand-N-Hand Community Services Foundation and the primary land steward of the East Palatka Project site at 160 W. Louis Broer Road. A lifelong East Palatka community member, Murri led the landmark East Palatka Water and Sewer Project (1998–1999), which secured over $4 million in federal and state infrastructure funding — earning a Certificate of Appreciation from the Putnam County Board of County Commissioners. She serves as the organization's Authorized Representative with the U.S. federal government through SAM.gov and is the primary contact for all funding, compliance, and partnership matters.
Tyrone Anthony Finley serves as President and CEO of Hand-N-Hand Community Services Foundation, Inc. and of the East Palatka Community Development Corporation. A direct descendant of the original inhabitants of Rollestown (established 1767), Tyrone brings a 250-year continuous community presence to the organization's Indigenous American and Gullah Geechee identity and advocacy mission. He provides strategic leadership for the East Palatka Project, oversees organizational operations, and serves as the primary government business point of contact. Tyrone is the signatory on organizational agreements and federal submissions. A professional painter by trade, Tyrone personally led the interior remodeling and rehabilitation of Hand-N-Hand's headquarters at 160 W. Louis Broer Road — contributing skilled labor that directly reduced project costs and reflects the community-built foundation of the East Palatka Project.
Mark Atkins serves as Treasurer of Hand-N-Hand Community Services Foundation, Inc. A licensed real estate broker in both Florida and Georgia and owner of New Century Real Estate Group (NCREG Inc.), Mark brings direct professional expertise in real estate transactions, property valuation, and housing market dynamics — credentials that directly support the East Palatka Project's workforce housing development strategy on Parcel 150. In his governance role, he provides financial oversight and accountability for the organization's funds, ensures proper stewardship of donor contributions and grant receipts, and maintains the financial records necessary for IRS compliance and nonprofit governance. Mark serves as the Accounts Receivable Point of Contact in the organization's federal SAM.gov registration.
Hand-N-Hand Community Services Foundation, Inc. received its IRS tax-exempt determination on March 19, 2015, effective October 31, 2014. Our tax-exempt status is maintained through annual IRS Form 990-N filings and ongoing compliance with federal nonprofit regulations.
Both Hand-N-Hand and the East Palatka Community Development Corporation maintain active registrations in the U.S. federal System for Award Management (SAM.gov), confirming eligibility to receive federal grants, loans, and contracts under all award types.
Our organization is governed by and accountable to the East Palatka community. Leadership is drawn from community members with generational presence in the area. All project decisions are made with direct community input and are designed to benefit original community inhabitants — not outside investors.
The East Palatka Community Development Corporation (EPCDC) is the designated community development implementation entity for the East Palatka Project, incorporated in March 2026. IRS Form 1023 was filed April 18, 2026. Upon tax-exempt approval, EPCDC will pursue Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) designation.
| Legal Name | Hand-N-Hand Community Services Foundation, Inc. |
| Tax Status | 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit · IRS Determination March 19, 2015 · Effective October 31, 2014 |
| State of Incorporation | Florida · Division Number N140000101 |
| SAM.gov UEID | MDLXV75KEGP2 · CAGE: 7FTL7 · All Awards · Active |
| HUBZone Status | Qualified — Census Tract 12107951000 · Locked Through 2028 |
| Designations | American Indian Owned · Community Development Corporation · Disaster Response Registry Active |
| Affiliated Entity | East Palatka Community Development Corporation · UEID: SNPTYUE6K5R7 · CAGE: 1EWQ7 · SAM.gov Active |
| Primary Address | 160 W. Louis Broer Road, East Palatka, Florida 32131 |
| Fiscal Year End | December 31 |
| Congressional District | Florida 06 |
For governance inquiries, board correspondence, or organizational verification requests, please contact us directly. We are committed to full transparency with our community, funders, and partners.