In this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, Bronwyn chats with Jose Garcia, CEO of Rebuilding Together Greater Florida discussing disaster recovery, affordable housing preservation, and their partnership with United Way Suncoast to create workforce and training opportunities. For over 25 years, Garcia has led efforts to repair homes and restore hope, expanding the organization from one to six locations, and his team's work has been recognized nationally by Time Magazine. Hear h...

Bronwyn invites Congresswoman Kathy Castor to the Freedom to Rise podcast to explore the urgent challenges shaping our communities today. With nearly two decades of service in Congress, Rep. Castor shares insights on combating climate change, strengthening disaster resiliency, and creating opportunities for good-paying jobs. She also addresses the rising concerns around healthcare access, veteran support, and the looming threats to essential safety net programs like SNAP and Medicaid. They al...

The federal government will stop issuing paper checks for most benefit payments beginning in September. This change could create real challenges for unbanked individuals who rely on check-cashing outlets. On this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, we explore how the Bank On Suncoast program, a collaborative initiative led by United Way Suncoast and regional partners, is helping ensure everyone has access to safe and affordable banking. Joining us is Mark Smith, Financial Security M...

Hurricane season officially begins June 1st; and if you're feeling almost prepared, you're not alone. In this special episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, we’re leaning into hurricane preparedness and the power of community partnerships. Thanks to a grant from Verizon through United Way Worldwide, we're amplifying our efforts during National Hurricane Preparedness Month to ensure that our neighbors are ready. Not just to face storms, but to recover from them stronger than before.&nbs...

When we delve into the topic of affordable and workforce housing in this state, issues pop up like dollar weed on a Florida lawn. What can be done to address an issue that weighs on our economy and weakens our labor force? On this episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we talk to Kody Glazer, the Florida Housing Coalition's Chief Legal and Policy Director, about this pressing state issue.

In this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, host Bronwyn Beightol welcomes Molly Grant, Executive Director of the Association of Early Learning Coalitions, and Madeleine Thakur, President and CEO of The Children’s Movement of Florida. Together, they explore Florida’s new 2024 tax credit designed to incentivize employer-supported childcare—whether through on-site facilities or partnerships with community-based providers. This policy aims to support working families, strengthen the state’s ...

In this episode of Freedom to Rise, we dive into the data that shapes Tampa Bay’s future. Each year, the Tampa Bay Partnership and the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business, with support from the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and United Way Suncoast, release the Regional Competitiveness Report and Tampa Bay eInsights. These reports provide key insights into economic trends, affordability, education, and the talent pipeline across our region. This year’s findings highlight...

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, ...

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://unitedwaysuncoa...

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 Impa...

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 comparab...

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...

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...

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 i...

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...

In this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, Bronwyn welcomes St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, a distinguished public servant with over 20 years of experience. Mayor Welch made history by becoming the first commissioner to represent County Commission District 7 in St. Petersburg, and he's the second African American commissioner in the history of Pinellas County. Mayor Welch assumed the role of mayor in 2022, bringing his vision for progress and development to the forefront. Tun...

Metropolitan Ministries' latest effort can be summed up in two words: Come Together. MetMin's NeighborHope Project focuses on zip codes disproportionately suffering from childhood poverty. The Florida Chamber's Prosperity Project identified the zip codes and MetMin has identified ways to help, including collaborating with United Way Suncoast and other organizations. Listen up as the nonprofit's JaLem Robinson and Caleb Bates detail the collaborative work happening in Pinellas County.

Jeff Brandes makes his second appearance on the Freedom To Rise podcast, but his first after ending a 12-year run in Tallahassee. The former senator and state representative from St. Petersburg has launched the Florida Policy Project, a policy bank (don't call it a think tank) to continue tackling some of the state's most pressing issues. Listen up as he tells host Bronwyn Beightol about his actionable plans regarding property insurance, criminal justice reform and two subjects directly impac...