Los Angeles, CA -- Tuesday, April 7, 2020 ---
Brotherhood Crusade
,
Community Coalition
and
InnerCity Struggle
are joining forces to raise
$400,000
to support
5,000
at risk
South and the Eastside of Los Angeles students with technology and emergency needs.
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) announced school closures through the end of the 2020 school year. While the organizations support the implementation of a public health response to flatten the curve and protect the most vulnerable, students and families are communicating grave concerns about the
inequities in access to academic instruction and support
, as it relates to the current COVID–19 response.
Parents and families in under-served communities are primarily concerned with three major issues: (1) the continuation of education through access to technology; (2) food insecurity (less meals for children); and (3) housing displacement.
Charisse Bremond Weaver, Brotherhood Crusade President and CEO said, "T
he COVID–19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated pre–existing disparate and inequitable material conditions that make those we serve in South and East Los Angeles particularly vulnerable, such as food insecurity, wealth inequality and the digital divide.
It is with a great sense of urgency and a never ending commitment to our communities that Brotherhood Crusade, Community Coalition and InnerCity Struggle join forces to help protect and support our vulnerable children in South and the Eastside of Los Angeles.
"
While affluent and many middle–class families are able to use technological hardware and high–speed internet to provide their children with online classes and other learning and enrichment resources, too many do not have those opportunities. For the majority of the families with which we work, it is not feasible. In fact, the COVID–19 crisis threatens to
further deepen
existing educational inequities.
"
Efforts to close the digital divide have
an immediate and
greater urgency, now given the school closures which highly impact students of color and their families. InnerCity Struggle is excited to partner with Brotherhood Crusade and Community Coalition to support young people in South Los Angeles and the Eastside of Los Angeles by helping to expand access to technology. We are joining forces to address a critical need in our communities,
" said Maria Brenes, Executive Director for InnerCity Struggle.
Aurea Montes-Rodriguez, Executive Vice President Community Coalition
said, "
The current global crisis has exposed deep existing inequities in our educational system with devastating impacts to our highest need students. Community Coalition is honored to join forces with Brotherhood Crusade and InnnerCity Struggle to fight the digital divide and address the learning needs of our students. We are grateful that moving forward, students will be able to connect with their teachers, counselors, peers and social justice organizations. When we come together we win!
"
