VISION Trust is an initiative enabling VISION people to make a
meaningful and significant contribution to society.
It is a response to the feelings of powerlessness faced by many
communities who have not benefited from economic growth.
As it encounters new challenges, VISION Trust adapts to provide
solutions to counter difficulties faced by the underprivileged and
vulnerable, wherever they may be.
Orphaned children in Zimbabwe, abandoned and disabled children
in Jamaica and Nicaragua and the homeless in Ireland - regardless
of the cause, if there is a need and VISION can identify that its
intervention will bring about real change - then VISION Trust will
respond.
VISION Trust's core aim is to develop entrepreneurial skills in
those who have lost or never had them, and build successful
businesses where none were thought possible.
Force for Change
VISION Trust sees business as a powerful force for change.
Business can generate great economic prosperity, but this momentum
can have a dark side. Wealth can marginalise those who do not
directly benefit from its creation.
At the periphery of a materialistic society live those who are
unemployed or employed in low-paying jobs because of a lack of
skills. Their long-term prospects are bleak.
VISION's interpretation of the underlying dynamic of such
communities is that the 'trading instinct' is missing.
People have lost, or never had, the ability to identify
opportunities in life and in business. They see themselves in a
perpetually worsening situation and feel resigned to failing if
they attempt to escape its cycle.
Reaching Out
These are the individuals VISION Trust reaches out to, people
who can be supported as they rise and who can be equipped with the
skills and the belief to be the best they can be.
This section of the website explores some of the projects
undertaken by VISION Trust.
VISION Trust welcomes feedback and ideas on how we can make a
difference.
Email us on look@vision.com
Main Projects at Present
The two main projects VISION is supporting are The Mustard
Seed Communities and Young Social Innovators.
The Mustard Seed Communities
Founded in 1978 in the depressed community of Mona Common on the
outskirts of the city of Kingston, Jamaica, Mustard Seed is a
non-profit, community development organization. Mustard Seed works
primarily with disadvantaged children and has expanded over the
years since 1978 to work with some of the poorest children in a
range of communities across Jamaica, Haiti, Domican Republic and
most recently Zimbabwe.
VISION remain in close contact with the people at Mustard Seed
and meet twice yearly to review our past six months and plan the
next six.
www.mustardseed.com
Young Social Innovators (YSI)
Young Social Innovators (YSI) invites young people between the
ages of 15 and 18 to work together to make radical, innovative
suggestions and actions for change that can make a real difference
to people's lives, including their own.
To date, over 20,000 young people have taken up the YSI
challenge. These young social innovators have helped create change
in how we live, think and care for others in society - now and in
the future. Their enthusiasm and commitment is inspiring, as is the
dedication of their Guides. A YSI Guide refers to a teacher,
educator or other mentor. This is someone who believes in
experiential learning, empowerment and, of course, in the value of
plain good fun. VISION is proud to support YSI and takes real pride
in the development of this great initiative.
www.youngsocialinnovators.ie