Poverty Reduction
Miami is tackling the poverty issue head on. The VISTA Partnership helps address poverty by linking residents to services provided by the local, State and Federal government.

Financial Education
The cyclical problem of poverty stems, in part, from a lack of financial education. VISTA members link the community to the many resources available, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) and other benefits available through ACCESS Miami by organizing community financial literacy workshops.

Capacity Building
VISTA Members serve local agencies by recruiting volunteers, securing cash and in-kind donations, writing grant proposals, developing fundraising plans and policies, organizing community fundraisers and increasing media exposure.

Prisoner Reentry Initiative (PRI)
The City of Miami was selected as one of 12 cities nationwide to pioneer the Prisoner Reentry Initiative. VISTA members are developing a resource directory that can help ex-offenders transition back into society more easily, by providing linkages to housing, training, education, employment, medical services, and other community resources.

Hurricane Relief
In addition, VISTA members are mobilized when disaster strikes. The team responded to the hurricanes in 2005 by distributing ice, water, food and hot meals at the Orange Bowl, City Hall and local parks. They served more than eight hours per day for more than two weeks as part of the City’s hurricane relief efforts.