Poverty in Miami

This past February break i took a vacation down to Miami Beach where i was shocked to see many live in poverty. Once you look past the countless luxury cars, beautiful beaches, and upbeat nightlife you see how much the natives there are really struggling. One day, we rented city bikes and rode up and down the boardwalk. Up and down the beaches and lines of palm trees were homeless people, playing instruments, singing, or just begging. Anything they could do to earn a couple of dollars. What really broke my heart was one night when a young boy, at least 9, was playing the trumpet outside of a cvs, his dad next to him screaming that he better keep playing because he needed money. The Miami-Dade county has a mere 78% of people that graduate high school, compared to the 86% is the average for Florida. However, the city has various projects devoted to helping those who are homeless & below the poverty line. They have a homeless trust and have programs where they provide bus tickets to those who can't afford to to get back to where they originally were living. They have meters (like car meters) that you put money in lining the sidewalks that goes to homeless projects. According to miamidade.gov "They are a safe, reliable and fully accountable means for you to help people who are homeless because 100% of the money collected in these meters is used directly to fund additional shelter beds, and expand the number of indoor meal programs for people experiencing homelessness. When you see one of our homeless donation meters, please consider giving your change to change a life." I believe that they are fully devoted to helping these people.