TALLAHASSE, Fla. — First lady Casey DeSantis welcomed female faith leaders from across Florida into the Governor’s Mansion on March 13 to discuss the Hope Florida program that promotes prosperity and purpose.

The program began as a Department of Children and Families pilot program in August 2020 to help public benefit recipients locate employment, housing, and childcare resources. In 2021, Casey DeSantis relaunched the program as Hope Florida — A Pathway to Prosperity, expanding it to additional populations with an emphasis on recruiting private sector and faith-based partners to support more families throughout the state, according to March 30, 2022, release from the governor's office. 

Blending support from multiple sources, the program uses ‘Hope Navigators’ to help provide Floridians with dire and necessary resources that help them become self-sufficient. The program also helps kids who are transitioning out of foster care, as well as provides seniors with volunteer and mentorship opportunities.

By collaborating with private sector, nonprofits, government agencies and faith-based communities, “we are maximizing opportunities to help Floridians in need,” Casey tweeted on Monday.

“Florida’s faith-based communities have been instrumental in supporting their neighbors in need,” said First lady DeSantis. “Through Hope Florida’s partnership with CarePortal, we have seen a tremendous response from faith leaders across the state not only in filling immediate needs, but also embracing those individuals and personally helping them get back on their feet. It is heartwarming to witness as their faith fuels action, and we are grateful that through Hope Florida we can step in to make the connection and then get out of the way.”  

Through “hope,” Floridians are given the chance to find prosperity and purpose.

To learn more about the program, head here.