This painting is inspired by W.E.B. Dubois' Data Visualization Project from the turn of the 19th to 20th Century. The color coding shows the categories of the tasks performed in the final part of the second year the volunteer neighborhood organization was in existence. There were modifications in the different task groups, as needs changed for this immigrant support organization. In May/June, EVNC experienced abductions and arrests of the new New Yorkers we welcomed. The pressures on the group escalated, legal needs increased, and finances were strained. The group as first formed disbanded. The work continues in spin-off groups at St. Marks Church, Collegiate Middle Church, Hope Church and other locations with the original participants joined by new volunteers. Ice activities increase, and the focus has shifted to asylum applications, paying the numerous bike tickets given to delivery workers targeted by the police, finding jobs, housing transitions from youth to adult shelters and independent living, knowing one's rights and safety.
All images copyright Sally Apfelbaum, 2023