AFVN University of Miami Campus-Community Partnership

The goal of this project is to support low-income communities in South Florida by offering guidance & support to K-12 youth through additional & enhanced educational opportunities including tutoring & mentorship experiences. According to the U.S. Census, 21% of the population within Miami-Dade County is living in poverty. That is about one in five residents. In 2013, it was estimated according to Census data that 27% of children within the county were living in poverty. While high school graduation rates are increasing within the County at just over 89% for the 2019-2020 academic year, there are still lingering concerns regarding students¿ success outcomes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities such as Historic Overtown, Liberty City, Coconut Grove & South Miami experience some of the highest rates of poverty within the county & state & are also challenged with additional issues including gentrification & navigating the issues of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that many K-12 students within the county experienced fully remote learning in 2021 - 2022 & the challenges pertaining to volunteer engagement, the VISTA project will work to address the education attainment gap within these communities & others. The VISTA will work to find unique & meaningful ways to connect youth within the Miami-Dade County schools & community organizations to University of Miami students & student organizations. Through increased tutoring & mentorship experiences, the VISTA will create mutually beneficial experiences for both K-12 youth in the community & the University of Miami campus community at large.