A new expansion of the Hope Florida program called “Activate Hope” will serve Floridians recovering from the impacts of disasters, Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced Wednesday.
Activate Hope will be the emergency response arm for the Hope Florida initiative and will pull together the private sector, nonprofits, and government resources to help Floridians get back on their feet following a disaster.
Activate Hope helps connect Floridians with outside resources to provide food, household goods, home repairs, and more.
“The state of Florida leads the nation in storm preparation and disaster response,” the governor said. “The launch of Activate Hope through Hope Florida and the Florida Division of Emergency Management will enable us to strengthen our recovery efforts and rebuild stronger communities by utilizing the existing Hope Florida network to help those impacted by disasters find the help they need.”
Casey DeSantis said Activate Hope will allow the Hope Florida network to be brought directly to communities in exceptional need, like those dealing with the aftermath of a storm.
“This new Hope Florida expansion will ensure that in the future, Floridians impacted by storms or other emergency situations can readily connect with Hope Navigators and receive the help, services, and supplies they need,” the first lady said. “On the flip side, Hope Florida can rally communities and empower them to help their fellow Floridians in need, especially during a disaster.”
Activate Hope will include a box truck and an additional ADA-accessible Hope Bus, which will increase the capacity for Hope Florida to join the efforts of the Florida Division of Emergency Management at their Points of Distribution sites, State Business Recovery Centers, and Multi-Agency Resource Centers across the state.
Hope Navigators and volunteers from state agencies will be on-site after a storm to distribute needed supplies, such as food, water, baby supplies, cleaning supplies, etc., and offer Hope Navigation services.
A new toll-free Hope Line was also activated on Wednesday. Floridians can call 833-GET-HOPE to seek help.
Floridians can call Hope Florida’s Hope Line to speak with a Hope Navigator who can help identify barriers to success, such as lack of resources, skills, opportunities, or basic necessities. This line will also be used as a part of Activate Hope to help connect Floridians with outside resources to provide food, household goods, home repairs, and more.
Hope Navigators help individuals identify their needs, develop long-term goals, map out a path forward, and work to ensure all sectors of the community have a “seat at the table” to be part of a lasting solution.
In the two years since Hope Florida’s launch in July 2022, nearly 30,000 Floridians have reduced their reliance upon or are no longer reliant on government assistance — a reduction which is estimated to save the State of Florida nearly $800 million over the next decade, DeSantis said.
Floridians who are in need of support can connect with Hope Florida by visiting www.HopeFlorida.com or calling the Hope Line (833-GET-HOPE). Organizations interested in joining Hope Florida’s CarePortal can visit www.hopeflorida.com/.