Cleaning the Streets, Rebuilding Lives: Miami Program Offers Workers a Second Chance

By: Laila Pettus | UMTV Reporter

Every weekday morning in downtown Miami, a team of workers in bright yellow safety vests fans out across sidewalks and streets, trimming trees, pressure-washing pavements, and restoring order to one of the city’s busiest areas. But beyond keeping the streets clean, their work represents something far more meaningful: a second chance.

The Downtown Enhancement Team (DET), launched in 2018 by the Miami Downtown Development Authority in partnership with Camillus House, provides employment and job training for individuals who have experienced homelessness, addiction, or other barriers to steady work. The program is designed not only to beautify downtown Miami, but also to help participants rebuild their lives through stability, structure, and support.

Leading the team is Kevin Garrett, a supervisor whose personal journey mirrors the mission of the program itself.

Garrett began his path at Camillus House as a participant in a substance-abuse treatment program. After completing treatment, he joined the Downtown Enhancement Team as a cleaner — a step he says completely changed his life.

“It’s a great feeling because at one point, people would see me and they would go the other way,” Garrett said. “Now, they look to me as a leader. They come to me for advice, and I try my best to help them and give them good guidance.”

Today, Garrett supervises crew members who are navigating the same challenges he once faced, offering mentorship rooted in lived experience.

“Kevin’s dedication is what makes him such an effective leader,” said Vladimir Dubois, Enhanced Services Coordinator for the DDA. “He truly loves what he does. His heart is in the right place because he cares deeply about the community and the people he works with.”

Since its launch, the Downtown Enhancement Team has provided employment opportunities for more than 60 individuals, with plans to expand the program to serve up to 100 participants. In addition to earning a paycheck, workers gain job skills, develop routines, and build confidence — key components of long-term success.

“The most rewarding part is seeing the growth,” Dubois said. “Watching people accomplish their goals, get off the street, gain stability, and at the same time help keep downtown clean and welcoming. That’s what this program is all about.”

Many graduates of the program move on to permanent, full-time jobs, either within city services or in the private sector, using their experience as a stepping stone toward long-term employment.

“If they complete the program, they can be promoted or placed in something permanent,” Dubois added.

For team members like Victor Williams, the opportunity has been transformative.

“It’s got me back on my feet,” Williams said. “I’m doing something good for downtown, and I like it.”

As the Downtown Enhancement Team continues its work one sidewalk, one street, one morning at a time, Garrett’s story stands as a powerful reminder that when cities invest in people, the results can be seen not only in cleaner streets, but in renewed lives and brighter futures.