On Tuesday, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announced an expansion of her Hope Florida initiative to provide private sector business entities with a seat at the table to be part of the solution in meeting the needs of Floridians.

Walgreens is the first state-wide implementing partner and has pledged to offer tailored employment opportunities, such as flexible hours and managerial track options, to propel Floridians on a pathway to prosperity and economic self-sufficiency. Walgreens will also replenish local nonprofits with supplies through CarePortal and support the Hope Florida Fund. TECO is the first regional implementing partner to join Hope Florida and has committed to providing employment opportunities and contributing $100,000 to support deserving nonprofits through the Hope Florida Fund.

The incorporation of private sector corporations into Hope Florida will make Florida the first state in the nation to expand the CarePortal to businesses. Through this partnership, businesses can provide tangible items like mattresses, bed sheets and clothes, as well as financial assistance and transportation to Floridians with short-term unmet needs.

Businesses that commit to supporting their communities through Hope Florida can do so in three tangible ways:

Provide Employment Opportunities

Sign up through CareerSource Florida: Businesses can provide Hope Florida participants with job opportunities that consider that individual’s unique needs and skills. Whether it’s offering flexible work hours or on-the-job training, employers commit to supporting the Hope Florida mission through tailored work opportunities.

Join CarePortal

Sign up through CarePortal: Businesses can establish a profile online to respond to unmet needs within their community. Through the CarePortal, a point of contact at the business will receive real-time alerts to assist Hope Florida recipients with their unique needs such as delivering a meal, bed, diapers, etc.

Donate to the Hope Florida Fund

The Hope Florida Fund harnesses the charity of the private sector to provide financial resources to deserving local nonprofit organizations.

“Through Hope Florida, we have been blessed to guide and support over 50,000 Floridians on a pathway to prosperity, economic self-sufficiency, and hope,” said First Lady DeSantis. “After witnessing the tremendous difference that faith-based communities make to uplift those in need, I am excited to broaden Hope Florida’s impact by incorporating the generosity and goodwill of private sector corporations. Thank you to Walgreens and TECO and the many corporations that have generously stepped up to the plate and committed to assisting Floridians.”

“Hope Florida works best when there is collaboration among community groups, like faith institutions and nonprofits,” said Department of Children and Families Sec. Shevaun Harris. “However, with the power from the private sector our efforts will be expanded greatly. The First Lady’s steadfast leadership has brought this program so far, and with the commitment from companies like TECO and Walgreens we look forward to further supporting strong and resilient families.”

“Hope Florida is redefining how we help Floridians in need,” said Department of Elder Affairs Sec. Michelle Branham. “I am grateful for the First Lady for her continued passion and innovation in growing this initiative. We look forward to working with these private sector partners to continue supporting communities through Hope Florida – A Pathway to Purpose and the work of our volunteer Hope Heroes.”

Other companies committed to joining Hope Florida statewide or regionally include members of the Florida Restaurant Lodging and Association, RetroFitness, Kroger Deliveries, Home Depot, CVS Health, and Florida Retail Federation.

Additional private sector entities that have agreed to support their communities by contributing to the Hope Florida Fund include:

AT&T with a donation of $50,000.
Automated Health Systems with a donation of $10,000.
AmeriHealth Caritas with a donation of $100,000.
Sunshine Health with a donation of $50,000.
Simply Healthcare with a donation of $100,000.