Through the SummerTrek Changemakers program, 10 GW students helped D.C. middle school students turn the issues they are passionate about into virtual advocacy campaigns.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted most activities to the virtual space, and for many George Washington University students, that includes volunteer work with children.
Nikki Vivekanandan, a junior studying nutrition science in the Milken Institute School of Public Health, previously volunteered with GWTeach, a STEM education program. When she learned about an opportunity to safely continue volunteering with kids this summer, Ms. Vivekanandan said she was excited to take advantage of it.
Through a partnership with Alice Deal Middle School, the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service was able to offer GW students the opportunity to support D.C. children interested in addressing community issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, racism and climate change. In the SummerTrek Changemakers Program, students like Ms. Vivekanandan were able to facilitate the middle schoolers’ research and advocacy projects throughout July with virtual Zoom sessions twice a week.
Ms. Vivekanandan said that because the pandemic has hit everyone in different ways, she wanted to work with kids who were interested in social changemaking around the pandemic.
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Briahnna M. Brown 