First Lady Casey DeSantis announced a new initiative that will connect nursing homes and assisted-living communities across Florida with local churches through Hope Florida's CarePortal. The program is meant to make it easier for congregations to serve seniors in their own communities.
"Every senior deserves to know they matter and are loved," the first lady said. "No one should ever feel forgotten, and no one should have to walk through life's final chapters without knowing there are people who care."
The initiative is rooted in the belief that every senior deserves companionship and the reassurance that their life continues to matter. Through CarePortal, participating facilities can share opportunities for churches to respond, whether by delivering flowers, celebrating a birthday, reading together or simply spending time with a resident.
It will launch in three regions, Leon, Hillsborough and Miami-Dade counties, before expanding statewide. Florida is home to about 16.5 million people of faith and more than 20,000 churches and faith institutions, which the administration described as one of the nation's largest volunteer networks.
