Hope Florida initiative expanded with Activate Hope, to enhance disaster recovery

Sarasota, Florida - On August 21, 2024, the State of Florida announced the expansion of Hope Florida, an initiative called “Activate Hope,” which will serve as the emergency response arm for Hope Florida, to assist Floridians recovering from the impacts of disasters.

Activate Hope will pull together the resources of the private sector with nonprofit organizations and the government, to help Floridians get back on their feet following a disaster. Activate Hope will help connect Floridians with outside resources to provide food, household goods, home repairs, and more.

“...We prepare our residents and prioritize the resiliency of our communities, year-round, and with partnerships not seen anywhere else in the nation,” said Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie. “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.”

Activate Hope, Florida will add a box truck and an additional ADA-accessible Hope Bus, to 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 also offer Hope Navigation services.

A new toll-free Hope Line at 833-GET-HOPE (833 438-4673) is active, as of August 21, 2024, for Floridians seeking help to call. You can call Hope Florida's Hope Line to speak with a Hope Navigator who can help identify any 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 estimated to save the State of Florida nearly $800 million over the next decade.

Floridians who are in need of support can connect with Hope Florida by visiting www.HopeFlorida.com or calling the toll-free Hope Line at 833-GET-HOPE (833 438-4673). Organizations interested in joining Hope Florida’s CarePortal can also visit www.HopeFlorida.com.