LAND O' LAKES, Fla. — The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs is helping veterans get access to benefits when they return home from duty. The group hosted a roundtable discussion on the topic in Land O’Lakes on Wednesday.

What You Need To Know

  • Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs held a roundtable discussion in Land O'Lakes regarding Hope Florida

  • The initiative was started by Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis to help veterans connect to already existing resources

  • Hope Navigators, a position held by fellow veterans, help veterans access these benefits

The discussion focused on Hope Florida, an initiative started by Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis. Members of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, as well as General James Hartsell and Senators Daniel Burgess and Jay Collins, were in attendance. The program helps veterans connect to already existing resources, bringing together nonprofits, government agencies and businesses to support veterans.

“Every day we talk to veterans who have no idea what is out there; what they can access,” said Holly Bernardo, director of Hope Navigators for the Florida Dept. of Veteran Affairs. “Older veterans, younger veterans- there’s just so many resources. It’s our job to be educated and help them access those things and be the guide to help them get to that resource.”

Those veterans who reach out for help speak to a Hope Navigator, a role often held by a veteran, making for a more meaningful vet-to-vet connection. They help identify what their goals are and keep in touch with them.

“I immediately felt this could be a great opportunity to do what I want to do, personally, and that’s to help veterans,” Aaron Pelone said. 

Pelone works for the state’s Department of Veteran Affairs and its latest initiative, Hope Florida.

“We identify barriers, we set goals and we connect the veteran to an organization- whether it be a non-profit or faith-based- and we connect those dots,” said Pelone, a Hope Navigator.

As a Hope Navigator, Pelone helps veterans navigate life after duty, an often-difficult time that he knows all too well as he himself is a vet.

“It’s an unsettling feeling to close a chapter like that in your life and to bounce back or to find out what you’re going to do next,” he said.

In fact, many who work for ‘Hope Florida’ are veterans. Pelone served four years of active duty and another year and a half in the reserves for the Air Force. He says having the chance to help out other vets has a personal meaning.

“It’s shared experiences that really make the difference to veterans,” Pelone said. “Just so they know, this person knows exactly where they’ve been and what they’ve gone through. And that’s what makes the difference for me.”

It’s these personal connections, he said, that are helping make a difference in veteran’s lives.

“I see myself as just continuing to grow and becoming more of a subject matter expert in the field and communicating more and connecting more with non-profits and organizations that are willing to help out veterans,” he said. 

Any vet who needs help or assistance can call the number 850-300-HOPE.