08 Apr Brotherhood Crusade, Community Coalition and InnerCity Struggle Join Forces to Support At-Risk Students in South and East LA
Los Angeles – 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, “The 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 of 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! ”
About Community Coalition
For the past 30 years, Community Coalition has brought the community of South LA together to build leadership, launch action campaigns, and create a unified voice for Los Angeles. By working to transform the social and economic conditions that foster inequity, Community Coalition aims to empower everyday residents to influence and change public policy. 2020 marks the organization’s 30th Anniversary, a time to reflect on its work and look ahead to the next 30 years of changemaking in South Los Angeles. For more information, please visit https://cocosouthla.org/.
About InnerCity Struggle
Since 1994, InnerCity Struggle’s mission has focused on building a powerful and influential movement of youth and families on the Eastside of Los Angeles to promote healthy, safe and nonviolent communities. The Eastside comprises the communities of Boyle Heights, unincorporated East Los Angeles, El Sereno and Lincoln Heights. For more information, please visit https://www.innercitystruggle.org/.
About Brotherhood Crusade
Celebrating more than 52 year of services to the community of Los Angeles, Brotherhood Crusade was founded in 1968. The organization’s principal mission is to champion equality and equity by removing and/or helping individuals overcome the barriers that deter their pursuit of success in life and facilitate opportunities for a better quality of life by effectuating improved health & wellness, facilitating academic success, promoting personal, social & economic growth, providing access to artistic excellence & cultural awareness, increasing financial literacy and building community agencies & institutions.
Brotherhood Crusade has a history of building alliances with other organizations, corporations and foundations of goodwill that are committed to and understand the tremendous need for helping our community and people grow and prosper. For more information, visit brotherhoodcrusade.org.
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