The City of Brooksville and the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners have officially recognized the renaming of Mid Florida Community Services to You Thrive Florida, acknowledging the organization’s longstanding efforts since 1968 in Hernando County. As part of a national network formed under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, You Thrive Florida is committed to reducing poverty by offering transformative services and opportunities aimed at enhancing the prosperity and well-being of individuals and families.
You Thrive Florida envisions a collaborative future where communities collectively address local challenges, equipping residents with the necessary resources to improve their lives. The nonprofit operates extensive programs across eight Florida counties, advocating for and implementing community-wide solutions to tackle issues faced by low-income populations.
The City Council of Brooksville and Hernando BOCC recognized this name change and reaffirmed their support for You Thrive Florida’s mission to alleviate poverty in the region. The city officially sealed a proclamation on the matter on May 6, 2024. The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners followed suit on May 14 with their own resolution for the organization’s renaming.
You Thrive Florida is dedicated to providing transformative services and opportunities to enhance the well-being of individuals and families across its service region, which spans over eight counties from the East to the West Coast of Florida. Due to grant funding boundaries, You Thrive Florida’s diverse programs and services vary across their service regions but ensure all qualifying residents of Hernando County have access to its services.
Mat Kline, CEO of You Thrive Florida, has publicly recognized the significant impact of their initiatives, citing numerous achievements. In the past year alone, the organization assisted over 15,000 people. More than 5,000 households received energy assistance through their community service department, preventing the shutdown of electricity for many. Their Children’s Advocacy Center served over 800 abused children in Hernando, and their Headstart programs distributed 160,000 free meals to children. Additionally, the senior services program provided 370,000 meals to low-income seniors, and the transportation program facilitated 13,000 crucial trips for medical patients, predominantly for kidney dialysis. House to Home, their housing program, has also been successful, with four families obtaining affordable homes, two more houses under construction, and further developments planned. Monthly food distributions sometimes reach up to 10,000 pounds of food per event.
Kline expressed enthusiasm about the rebranding to You Thrive Florida, noting it as the third rebrand in the organization’s history. He believes the new name reflects a modern, forward-looking image that aligns with their goals and enhances their capacity to grow and serve the community more broadly.
