East Volusia News

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis unveiled a new video showcasing the success stories of individuals who have benefitted from the Hope Florida initiative. The video features testimonials from three Floridians who have been served by Hope Florida, a program focused on helping individuals unlock their potential through collaboration between business and nonprofit leaders.

In the video, First Lady Casey DeSantis expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, "Through Hope Florida, we are showing what is possible when business and nonprofit leaders collaborate to help individuals unlock their God-given potential."

Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris praised Hope Florida, saying, "Hope Florida serves as a national benchmark for the way in which government should be helping families be economically self-sufficient as opposed to reliant on government programs to survive."

One of the individuals featured in the video is Justin, who was homeless before being connected with Hope Florida. Justin shared his gratitude for his Hope Navigator, saying, "My Hope Navigator… she was awesome, awesome, awesome. She literally would not stop calling me – checking on me, making sure I was ok, making sure the kids were ok."

Celia, another success story highlighted in the video, emphasized the importance of seeking help, stating, "If you’re feeling down, if you’re feeling like you don’t have any hope, you need that help. There’s light for people. There was light for me."

Mary Lou, who faced challenging circumstances following a pregnancy loss, also shared her story in the video, encouraging others to reach out for support. "It’s hard sometimes for some people to ask for help. Pride gets in the way – humbling to need help, in a way, as an adult. It can be hard. I would encourage anybody to take that step and reach out," Mary Lou said.

Hope Florida aims to guide individuals towards prosperity and economic self-sufficiency through the support of Hope Navigators. These navigators work with Floridians to identify their needs, set goals, and develop strategic plans for success with the help of various community resources.

For more information on Hope Florida, individuals in need of support can visit www.HopeFlorida.com or call (850-300-HOPE).