The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Prosperity Initiative is intensifying its focus on addressing generational childhood poverty in Florida through targeted, zip-code level strategies. The initiative seeks to connect business and community leaders across the state to create pathways out of poverty and toward self-sufficiency for children and families.
Heather Cogar, Statewide Director of Community Engagement for the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Initiative, emphasized the importance of this approach. “Growing up in the challenges of the foster care system, serving as a Deputy Sheriff and running a small business have all taught me that the Florida Prosperity Initiative’s approach is the right one and I’m looking forward to partnering with more and more business and community leaders as we continue to change lives,” Cogar said. “Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and by working hand-in-hand with business and community leaders we can remove barriers that hold families back and build a future where opportunity is within reach for all Floridians, regardless of their zip code.”
The foundation’s strategy originated after Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation, testified before Congress in 2016 about breaking cycles of generational poverty through targeted interventions. The resulting Prosperity Initiative focuses on deploying free enterprise principles at a neighborhood level using its Zip Code Model. This model has gained national recognition for implementing solutions that address ten root causes of poverty.
David Vincent, Citrus County Sheriff, spoke about Heather Cogar’s background: “My wife and I have known Heather Cogar for approximately 15 years, and her life experiences are defined by resilience, perseverance and overcoming obstacles. As a person, she has been impacted by the foster care system and therapeutic treatment centers like those at Camp E-Nini-Hassee in Floral City, FL. I am confident that her unique set of personal and professional experiences have prepared her to be a fierce advocate for children, while helping them find a pathway to prosperity they otherwise wouldn’t have had.”
Currently, more than 714,000 children live in poverty in Florida despite it being one of the world’s largest economies with job creation rates above national averages. Mark Wilson stated: “Right now, there are more than 714,000 Florida children living in poverty. In a state that has the 16th largest economy in the world and continues to create jobs higher than the national average, replacing poverty with prosperity is not only imperative, it’s the right thing to do and having Heather building support in every community of Florida will be a game changer for our Florida Prosperity Initiative and so many kids and communities.”
The initiative works closely with its advisory board as well as other supporters from both business sectors and local communities. Karen Moore, Founder & CEO of The Moore Agency as well as Incoming Chair-Elect of the Florida Chamber Foundation added: “With 983 zip codes and more than half of our 714,768 children living in poverty in just 15 percent (150) of Florida’s zip codes, the Florida Prosperity Initiative is connecting every community to leverage partnerships aimed at helping families move from a life of barriers and dependence to one of prosperity and self-sufficiency. The Moore Agency is a proud supporter of this work.”
Community engagement was highlighted during May’s Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit by several leaders including First Lady Casey DeSantis; Tim Marks; President & CEO Metropolitan Ministries; John Rivers; Owner 4 Rivers Smokehouse:
Casey DeSantis said: “We can do so much more if we are working together, we know the mission, and we are working for the individual.”
Tim Marks remarked: “Remember the opening comments by Mark? He talked about Prosperity, he talked about GDP, and then he paused and said however. In this room there are folks in public sector private sector faith community nonprofits And all us care about however.”
John Rivers commented: “The fact that you are here you are part Prosperity Committee Initiative they doing says lot your heart priorities company individual So thank you.”
The initiative operates under guidance from an advisory board that brings together businesses policymakers nonprofits regional leaders—all aiming toward collaborative impact goals targeting economic opportunity throughout every part of Florida.
For further information on these efforts visit www.flchamber.com/flprosperityinitiative.
