The Florida Chamber Foundation has commended the state for its efforts in reducing childhood poverty. Mark Wilson, President of the Florida Chamber Foundation, highlighted a significant decrease in child poverty rates from 23.3% in 2016 to 16.9% today. He stated, "Breaking the cycle of generational poverty is not only a moral imperative but also a smart business decision."
Kristina Donohue, Director of the Florida Prosperity Project, credited this progress to collaborative efforts among various stakeholders. She noted, “The progress we’ve made is a direct result of the collaboration and leadership of the individuals serving on the Florida Prosperity Project Advisory Board, zip code adopters, local businesses, community advocates, and policymakers.” Donohue expressed gratitude towards Hope Florida leaders for aligning government and business leaders towards self-sufficiency.
Current data indicates that overall poverty in Florida stands at 12.6%, with Gadsden County having the highest rate at 27.7% and Wakulla County the lowest at 5.6%. Childhood poverty follows a similar pattern with Gadsden County at 41.6% and Wakulla County at 6.5%. The under-five poverty rate is reported at 18.2%.
The Florida Chamber Foundation's initiative aims to cut childhood poverty by half by 2030 through its Florida Model which addresses ten root causes of poverty on a zip-code basis.
Community members are encouraged to join these efforts by participating in initiatives like the upcoming Florida Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit scheduled for May 29 in Daytona Beach.
Several key figures serve on the advisory board guiding these efforts including Sky Beard from No Kid Hungry and Maritza Martinez-Guerrero from Orlando Magic among others.