Freedom to Rise

In this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, Bronwyn discusses key disaster recovery questions with Brady Penn, a FEMA External Affairs Officer working clsesly with the relief efforts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. With over $1.8 billion in housing and public assistance granted to Florida communities hit by the recent storms, FEMA is offering critical support; but the application process can feel daunting. 

Brady shares expert insights on starting applications, handling denials, and accessing resources for those who need it most; even if you make a mistake. Whether you're navigating recovery yourself or supporting others, tune in for essential information and guidance.

For more information on how you can apply for assistance, visit our website: https://unitedwaysuncoast.org/disaster-resilience/

A  significant number of the communities in our area live without the conveniences and advantages banking accounts offer. Bronwyn invites Mark Smith, Financial Stability Manager and Bank On lead for United Way Suncoast and Patrick Eichholtz Community Development manager for First Horizon Bank in a discussion about what it means to be unbanked or underbanked and why economic inclusion is a focal point for United Way Suncoast. 

More information can be found at https://unitedwaysuncoast.org/what-we-do/income/bank-on-suncoast/

The new 2024 ALICE Report illuminates the plight of families living paycheck to paycheck, and highlights the fact that the household survival budget for a family of four in Pinellas County now ranks as the highest in the state. On this episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we delve into the results of the new ALICE report and explore how we're weaving together our education and financial stability efforts to create greater economic mobility for families across the region with Community Impact vice presidents Nicole Brown and Doug Griesenauer.

https://www.unitedway.org/

In framing the findings of its latest Regional Competitiveness Report, the Tampa Bay Partnership used the term The Allure of Sunshine. The report highlights the fact that for Tampa Bay to maximize its potential, it has to go beyond warm weather and scenic vistas and address the drivers behind workforce and affordability trends. On this episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we speak with the partnership's top economic researcher, Lucia Farriss, about how we stack up against 19 other comparable cities in education, workforce development, net migration and a host of other measureables. Listen in. 

United Way Worldwide Senior Director of State Policy and Advocacy, often asks United Way advocates "to find the person in each of the representatives" they meet and set aside partisan differences. It’s key, she said, to removing the invisible walls trapping the community members United Way strives to serve. On this episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we talk about advocacy and how United Way Worldwide's efforts in Washington, D.C., may impact folks right here on the Suncoast. Listen up.

Some present a rosy picture of the Florida economy, but on the latest episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we delve deeper into the data and explain why all is not well for the state's ALICE families. Florida Trend associate editor Mike Brassfield and United Way Suncoast Data Analysis Director Aaron Neal join United Way Suncoast Chief Impact Officer Bronwyn Beightol to give a true picture of the highs and lows of the state economy. Listen in.

In our region, only a handful of philanthropic organizations have thrived over the course of decades, marching with time and evolving to keep pace. At United Way Suncoast, we're proud to be in that group and eager to celebrate our success as we move into our second century of service. 

Here to tell us more about the centennial celebration is our very own CEO Jessica Muroff. 

Chief Impact Officer Bronwyn Beightol discusses our recent Centennial Celebration Kickoff and the magnitude of looking back on our first 100 years of achievement and looking ahead to our second century of service. From 1924 to 2024.

For more information, check out our website: https://unitedwaysuncoast.org/centennial/

The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners recently voted to slash its funding for Suncoast 2-1-1, a vital service that provides a 24/7 path to support for community members in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto. What's the potential impact of losing that funding? Heart of Florida United Way 2-1-1 vice president Catherine Rea and Glasser/Schoenbaum executive director Charlene Altenhain join United Way Suncoast's Bronwyn Beightol to discuss the life-saving work of Suncoast 2-1-1, and how it's been a cornerstone in the community for more than 30 years.

All politics is local, but much can be done on the Federal level to affect us here on the Suncoast. Congresswoman Laurel Lee joins the Freedom to Rise Podcast as a lifelong public servant who has experience as a federal prosecutor, a circuit judge, and Florida’s Secretary of State - and is already making an impact for Florida’s 15th Congressional District. 

Congresswoman Lee discusses her experience in Washington, what brought her into a politics, bi-partisan legislation and issues she is working, and advice for anyone who wants to make a difference in the community. 

All across the Suncoast region, early learning educators and parents find themselves dealing with a crisis within a crisis: children acting out the emotional trauma of their lives, disrupting learning and creating an issue that results in parents losing their jobs. It’s a trauma that often begins in the home, and the pandemic has only served to exacerbate the issue. United Way Suncoast has partnered with the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation and Florida Center for Early Learning to take on this issue. Listen in as United Way Suncoast CEO Bronwyn Beightol and Florida Center CEO Kristie Skoglund explain the issue and how we're working to resolve it.