COVID-19 has created not only panic and fear throughout the world but an interruption of daily routines. Grappling with the effects of the pandemic, New York City’s vulnerable children are suffering major losses due to the decision to temporarily close public, private, and parochial schools.
Now, the city’s greatest concern is ensuring all students have access to equal educational opportunities. According to the National Center for Homeless Education, more than 1.5 million school students in the United States experienced homelessness during the 2017-2018 school year.
However, DIVAS (Digital Interactive Visual Arts Science) for Social Justice has made a promise to the 300 students it serves yearly and that is consistency. “Consistency is key,” said Clarisa James, the Executive Director for DIVAS. “If we don’t show consistency, what are we teaching our children?” James added. 
Serving communities in Queens and Brooklyn through Virtual Reality and STEAM, an after-school program, participants are exposed to the arts, media, science, and technology. Since the outbreak of the disease and the shuttering of schools, the programs paused temporarily. The organization’s looming concern was the students’ access to equal educational opportunities. Working with her staff to serve as a support to young people, the team felt it was necessary to utilize social media.
“If schools are closed, how are we going to help them,” James said. “We have to let them know that we are present even if our schools are closed.”
So-far, her team is working on developing a list of resources for Brooklyn and Queens to share with children and their families as far as where to get food, supplies, and free access to Spectrum WiFi. DIVAS for Social Justice is also using social media to stay connected with students and their families. This medium is a reminder to families that DIVAS focuses on consistency. Even though human interaction is lacking, the organization will remain a constant in the community and the lives of its beneficiaries.
Now that social distancing is the new norm, that didn’t stop the virtual reality mentorship team from hosting a workshop via Zoom on Saturday, March 21st. With 10 participants, “I’m proud of how it went,” James said. “They stepped up to the plate and I believe that when you set the standard for young people and show that you believe in them, they will rise up.”
