Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis have announced the launch of "Activate Hope," an extension of the Hope Florida initiative designed to aid Floridians in disaster recovery. This program aims to unite private sector, nonprofit, and government resources to assist residents with necessities such as food, household goods, and home repairs.
“The state of Florida leads the nation in storm preparation and disaster response,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “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.”
First Lady Casey DeSantis emphasized the importance of this expansion: “With today’s launch of Activate Hope, we can now bring Hope Florida directly to a community in exceptional need—like those dealing with the impacts 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. On the flip side, Hope Florida can rally communities and empower them to help their fellow Floridians in need, especially during a disaster.”
Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie highlighted state leadership's role: “Thanks to the leadership and dedication of Governor and First Lady DeSantis, we prepare our residents and prioritize the resiliency of our communities year-round and with partnerships not seen anywhere else in the nation. Activate Hope is another example of how the state continues to innovate our disaster response and recovery practices, and FDEM is proud to support the recovery of those in need with this program.”
The expansion includes adding a box truck and an ADA-accessible bus for increased capacity at Points of Distribution sites, State Business Recovery Centers, and Multi-Agency Resource Centers across Florida. These resources aim to distribute essential supplies post-disaster while offering navigation services.
Additionally, a toll-free line at 833-GET-HOPE has been activated for individuals seeking assistance from a "Hope Navigator." These navigators work with individuals to identify needs, set long-term goals, map out forward paths, and ensure comprehensive community involvement for sustainable solutions.
Since its inception in July 2022, nearly 30,000 Floridians have reduced their dependence on government assistance through Hope Florida—an effort projected to save approximately $800 million over ten years.
Floridians needing support can visit www.HopeFlorida.com or call 833-GET-HOPE. Organizations interested in participating can also find more information on www.HopeFlorida.com.