Capacity Building and Community Development VISTA

Goal of the Overall VISTA Project: The primary goal of the Affordable Living Education VISTA is to enhance and extend educational resources to low-income families and individuals in Monroe County, Florida, and more specifically in the Lower Keys. The VISTA's role will focus on improving financial literacy among Habitat for Humanity's clients and other low-income community members by providing the knowledge and fostering the confidence needed to take control of their finances, make informed decisions, and achieve their financial goals. The VISTA will help clients and community members understand their housing rights and responsibilities and provide strategies to help current and potential homeowners navigate the homebuying process and prepare for successful long-term homeownership.

Additionally, the VISTA will provide insight and program support to Habitat’s Critical Home Repair Program, focusing on increasing the capacity of this program to provide much-needed home repairs focused on safety and accessibility to low-income homeowners, allowing them to age in place.

Objective of the Assignment

Develop programs to increase financial literacy for low-income children, adults, and seniors in the Monroe County Community.

Member Activity (05/06/2024 - 06/06/2024): Understand the demographics of Monroe County and local barriers to achieving affordable homeownership and financial freedom.

Member Activity (06/06/2024 - 08/06/2024): Work with local community partners to distribute surveys among community members and students to determine the most needed topics for an educational financial literacy series.

Member Activity (05/06/2024 - 12/06/2024): Using research and survey feedback, create an interactive, multi-lesson series for local children, to be implemented in after-school programs, and programs for at-risk children and youth.

Member Activity (05/06/2024 - 12/06/2024): Using research and survey feedback, develop an interactive, multi-lesson series for local adults, utilizing local industry professionals to help teach and facilitate. Ensure that the program curriculum will be especially relevant for clients of Habitat for Humanity who are undergoing their affordable housing application process, as well as for low-income community members interested in achieving affordable homeownership and taking control of their finances.

Objective of the Assignment

Act as the volunteer coordinator for Habitat’s Community Education Program, Habitat’s Critical Home Repair Program, Habitat’s Homebuyer Program, and Habitat for Humanity's Thrift Store, thereby increasing the capacity of these programs and their impact.

Member Activity (05/06/2024 - 06/06/2024): Understand the volunteer needs and associated volunteer responsibilities of each program.

Member Activity (06/06/2024 - 02/08/2025): Recruit local volunteers to help facilitate and teach the Community Education Program, and to assist with the Critical Home Repair Program, the Homebuyer Program and the Habitat Thrift Store, through in-person and online outreach, utilizing community partner connections whenever possible. Completion goal: On-going.

Member Activity (05/06/2024 - 02/08/2025): Track volunteer hours and community impact related to the programs using Habitat for Humanity's tracking software. Completion goal: On-going.

Objective of the Assignment

Assess and streamline Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair Program for low-income homeowners and fixed-income seniors, thereby increasing the capacity of the program and eliminating any duplication of efforts.

Member Activity (05/06/2024 - 06/06/2024): Understand the current Critical Repair Program, including funding sources, project workflows, marketing and outreach efforts, and partnerships with local municipalities and organizations in order to recommend new project management techniques and streamlined workflows.

Member Activity (05/06/2024 - 02/08/2025): Work closely with Habitat’s construction team, executive director and programs team to develop new streamlined workflows for client recruitment, subcontractor recruitment and interactions, and project management: On-going.

Member Activity (05/06/2024 - 02/08/2025): Develop and assist in maintaining a project management system for the Critical Home Repair Program that is easily maintained and could be scaled as needed and applied to other Habitat programs: On-going.

Member Activity (05/06/2024 - 02/08/2025): Develop and assist in maintaining a project management system for the Critical Home Repair Program that could be scaled as needed and applied to other Habitat programs: On-going.

Objective of the Assignment

Research and develop new opportunities for in-kind and monetary donations to support Habitat for

Humanity's programs.

Member Activity (05/06/2024 - 06/06/2024): Understand the current funding streams and donation

channels that support Habitat's mission in order to better seek and recommend new opportunities.

Member Activity (05/06/2024 - 02/08/2025): Engage with local stakeholders and donors with the support of Habitat for Humanity's staff. Completion goal: On-going.

Member Activity (05/06/2024 - 02/08/2025): Research and recommend grant opportunities to support the sustainability and development of the Community Education Program and the Critical Home Repair Program. Completion goal: On-going.

Member Activity (05/06/2024 - 02/08/2025): Create outreach materials, social media campaigns, and a marketing plan to increase community awareness and support of Habitat for Humanity's services and programs. Completion goal: On-going