BRADENTON, FL (February 19, 2020) -- HOPE Family Services, Manatee County’s certified
domestic violence service provider, offers domestic violence victims and their families
protection, advocacy, and resources. HOPE serves nearly 2,000 adults & children each year
through outreach programs, counseling, voice- and text message-based hotlines, and a 24-7
Emergency Safe Shelter. To deliver on its mission, HOPE Family Services receives pass-through
funding from federal and state sources by way of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic
Violence (FCADV). HOPE remains a completely independent stand-alone corporation governed
by a local Board of Directors committed to empowering survivors.

HOPE’s Board of Directors and staff including CEO Laurel Lynch fully support and are
cooperating with the State of Florida’s investigation of potential spending irregularities by the
FCADV. Annually, all Federal, State, and Manatee County supervisory organizations that award
grants to HOPE perform comprehensive monitoring and thorough audits of HOPE’s internal
control systems, financial statements, and all supporting documents. HOPE Family Services
consistently receives high marks for financial accountability and on behalf of the Board of
Directors, we are confident this investigation will prove HOPE’s commitment to transparency
and our quality services to the community’s most vulnerable.

View HOPE's most recent financial audit reports on GuideStar >