Reading Partners and MLK Day: A Day of National Service
January 11, 2018
National Recruitment Operations Manager
Across the country, communities celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through service. MLK Day was first designated as a national day of service by the Corporation for National & Community Service in 1994, and is meant to transform Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and teachings into community action and awareness as a “day on” for service rather than a day off.
As an AmeriCorps service organization, Reading Partners proudly participates in the National Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, and has been doing so since 2010.
Last year, Reading Partners staff and AmeriCorps members in 14 metro-areas across the country participated in local service projects.
The Baltimore team partnered with Second Chance to salvage usable materials for reuse in the community.
Team Tulsa supported their local Goodwill.
The Sacramento region took part in the MLK365 March to the capital.
In the Dallas/Fort Worth region, our staff and AmeriCorps members worked in a community garden at an elementary school.
The projects teams participated in were numerous and what unites them all is in the mission to provide support to the communities we serve.
On Monday, January 15, Reading Partners will once again show community pride and live into the AmeriCorps mission of “getting things done”. From campus beautification in the Silicon Valley to assembling bookplates in Seattle; from serving food to community members in Washington DC to supporting parades and marches throughout the country, the Reading Partners team will be out in full force for another momentous day of service in 2018.
So, how can you get involved on MLK Day and continue a legacy of service? Here are some suggestions:
- Gather a group of community members to read Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letters from a Birmingham Jail or the I Have a Dream speech. Have a group discussion about its impact, and its potential inspiration and use in our own time.
- Take the pledge to serve, not just for this one day but for the entire year, in a way that’s most meaningful to you. Schedule a casual meeting with friends, family, and community members in your area, and brainstorm how you can all make the most impact together toward this goal.
- Check out the volunteer opportunities available in your area for this service day, and don’t forget to mark your calendars for Monday, January 15! Not only can you make a difference in the lives of others in your community, but it’s a great opportunity to meet other passionate people doing amazing work.
- Volunteer with Reading Partners and empower local students to succeed. You can have a lasting impact on a child, and continue the legacy of service!
