TAMPA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced thousands of dollars in awards to churches across the state that provide resources to families through the Hope Florida program.
Hope Florida helps single parents, youth aging out of foster care, individuals on government assistance and other residents in need. People can reach out and be connected with Hope Navigators, who work with individuals to identify what they need and connect them with the appropriate resources.
Navigators not only use government resources to aid people but also connect them with the private sector, faith-based communities, and nonprofits the program is partnered with.
Hope Florida helps residents get help from people within their communities, DeSantis said at the news conference.
"We have nearly 5,000 nonprofits and charity organizations that are signed up as part of the Hope Florida network and that are used by our Hope Navigators," he said. "The needs go out to all these different stakeholders."
He also noted the almost 2,000 faith-based institutions that are part of the network. At the conference, he awarded 13 churches across the state with money for their contributions. Ten of the churches received $25,000 each and two received $50,000 each.
He said Hope Florida is also good for taxpayers and estimates a savings of about $100 million annually.
The CarePortal that the program uses allows navigators to post real-time needs such as meals, a place to stay or a utility bill that the partnered organizations can see and volunteer to help with.
First Lady Casey DeSantis, who launched the program, said the CarePortal streamlines the process for people to get help and resources and brings in the public and private sectors.
“Let’s try to get in front of the problem and try to make the community to do that,” she said.
All of these resources have always been in the picture but residents don't always know all of the aid available to them or how to access it, she said. The navigators and the CarePortal streamline the process.
Residents who need help can call 850-300-HOPE (4673) to be connected with resources. Nonprofits, businesses, faith institutions and individuals can also visit the program's website to learn how they can help.