Democrats believe that the government should take care of people from the cradle to the grave.
Florida is charting a different path forward in helping its struggling residents.
And Casey DeSantis handed out one life-changing check that forced Democrats to take notice.
Florida provides an alternative to big government welfare programs
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis helped spearhead a program to help struggling Floridians without creating another bloated government welfare program.
The Hope Florida fund, launched in 2022, taps into the generosity of the private sector to fund local charities and faith-based initiatives for needy Floridians to find help.
Run through the Department of Children and Families, the Hope program helps provide Floridians a way to get back on their feet by connecting them with resources to get assistance with things like short-term shelter, meals, and other resources.
Recently, DeSantis announced that the fund had helped almost 20,000 people across Florida.
“Since its inception, Hope Florida will have transitioned nearly 20,000 Floridians off of government assistance and onto a pathway to prosperity and economic self-sufficiency so they can achieve the American dream,” DeSantis wrote on X.
Casey DeSantis awards money to charities in North Florida
Casey DeSantis traveled to North Florida to award nonprofits $50,000 from the Florida Hope fund in Suwannee, Madison, and Columbia County.
Donations for $10,000 were presented to the Pregnancy Care Center, First Baptist Church of Live Oak, Love in the Name of Christ of Suwannee County, Christian Service Center of Columbia County, and Forgotten Coast K9.
All money donated was raised from the private sector, not Florida taxpayers.
“It was a pleasure to visit Suwannee County today to recognize and award Hope Florida funding to five nonprofits in the local community,” DeSantis said. “It is heartwarming to meet more Florida nonprofit organizations that are generously serving those in need. I am grateful for this opportunity to be able to supplement their efforts with funding.”
Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris thanked her for recognizing nonprofits making an impact in their communities.
“Thanks to the leadership of First Lady Casey DeSantis, Hope Florida has transformed the way we interact with families in the state of Florida,” Harris said. “What makes the Hope Florida program so special is the collaboration with nonprofits and faith institutions throughout the state, and today we were able to honor a few organizations doing excellent work with their communities.”
DeSantis also recognized Long Term Recovery Groups during her trip that were awarded $550,000 in grants from the Florida Disaster Fund to help communities with long-term recovery from disasters.
The Florida Disaster Fund is the state’s official private fund established to help Florida communities respond to and recover after a disaster.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Casey DeSantis are providing a blueprint for using local community organizations and private sector money as alternatives to government programs.
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any developments to this ongoing story.
