Good morning friends-With the elections just around the corner, I wanted to share some more information with you.

In Lake County, Vote-By-Mail Ballot mailouts begin on July 12^th.  Sample Ballots are available on July 29^th.

Early Voting dates and times for the 2024 Primary Election are August 8^th-17^th, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.  The Primary is on August 20^th.

Early Voting dates and times for the General Election are October 21^st – November 2^nd, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.  The General Election is on November 5^th.

It’s not too early to make sure your voting registration is in order, and you know where your voting precinct is located.  For more information, contact your Supervisor of Elections office.

Onward & Upward

Nearly 130,000 printed resources have been distributed to law enforcement across the state as a way to help Floridians find help.

ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis spoke at the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) Summer Conference to highlight Hope Florida as a referral resource for Florida Sheriffs and law enforcement.

“Often, law enforcement personnel encounter individuals who need help outside of the criminal justice system,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “They just need help and aren’t sure where to start. Now they can call one number to rally a community to help meet their needs, address their challenges, and ultimately provide a plan and a path to prosperity. We are proud to offer Hope Florida as a simple way for law enforcement to ensure those who need help can be connected quickly to Hope Navigators who are ready to provide assistance.”

“Florida Highway Patrol is proud to be directly involved in distributing information and supporting Hope Florida’s mission to the many Sheriff’s Offices and Police Departments throughout the state,” said Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Hope Florida is an incredible asset that allows the men and women who protect and serve Floridians to direct them to available resources that cater to each individual’s specific needs, making a significant impact on their lives.” Continue reading →

ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis, joined by Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris and Guardian ad Litem Executive Director Dennis Moore, hosted a hands-on, healthy cooking class for Hope Florida mentors and mentees. The event showcased the partnership between Hope Florida and the Guardian ad Litem program, which has produced hundreds of mentorship pairings since it was launched in September 2023. More mentors are needed across the state of Florida for those youth aging out of the foster care system.

“As a mom to three young children, I know how important strong role models are to the success of our youth,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “It was heartwarming to spend time cooking with these amazing boys and girls in Florida’s foster program. There is a need for mentors across Florida—with over 100 in the Orlando area. I encourage those with a call to mentorship to apply through Hope Florida.”

The First Lady’s Hope Florida – A Pathway to Promise initiative encourages foster families and youth aging out of foster care to connect with Hope Navigators who can pair them with volunteer mentors who assist with the transition to independent living by offering guidance, motivation, and emotional support. Continue reading →