Skip to main content

Day On Dreams!




Happy Blessed 2018! I'm elated that new year celebrations are followed by national commemorative events and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Starting this weekend there will be many opportunities to lend a helping hand in our communities across the United States of America. This is a Day On to Serve! The Corporation for National and Community Service expects to engage nearly 1 million people in thousands of service projects in all 50 states. On this day, federal, state, and local
leaders will join citizens in honoring Dr. King's legacy through service projects addressing pressing
community needs.


In 1994, Congress designated MLK Day as the first and only federal holiday observed as a national day of
service, and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this national
effort. Americans may visit MLKDay.gov to find a service project for MLK Day or a year-round volunteer
opportunity in their own community. If you have not already done so, you can also post your volunteer
opportunity at MLKDay.gov.

As an AmeriCorps member I was blessed with exciting as well challenging experiences. Serving on MLK DAY was different though. This was the day that allowed for even greater transformative change, with community members lending a helping hand. It felt good to see the diverse large numbers of neighbors pitching in to paint at schools, build playgrounds and shelves for libraries. It was a living dream. I encourage you to gain a new or continued experience in your community this year.

I'll be serving with Becca Atlas, NYC Repair the World Fellow at Brooklyn Community Services' Women’s Shelter in East New York. The organization supports homeless women who are suffering from severe mental illness and dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault, or trauma. BCS provides counseling, temporary shelter, and assistance to secure permanent housing. The work is awesome and I'm sure the women are too. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve with them, inspire through conversation and even some trivia regarding civil rights.


Over the past two years I've known Repair the World's Action in A Time of Injustice: MLK Shabbat Dinner to be a great fellowship of reconciliation; A beautiful example of Josiah Royce and Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Beloved Community. This 3rd year I welcome you to join my table or sit anywhere, meet someone new, discuss solutions for the community with neighbors and experience a night out in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York for perhaps the first time ever. Click the following link and sign in to join me on January 12 at 7pm. Repair the World will also host volunteer projects for the weekend. Click here to sign up for an opportunity.


New York Cares will also be offering over a dozen project options for volunteers on this day, such as packing meal kits, socializing with seniors, sorting coats at the New York Cares warehouse, and delivering meals to the homebound. Click here to volunteer.

NYC Service has projects #GoodForNYC anytime. Opportunities await at www.nycservice.org.

You are the living dream. If you're inspired to volunteer in your community this MLK DAY share the project you'll be working on. Let me know about your experience in the comments below.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MEET & GREET CHANGE!

Blessed Autumn World!-As we begin to transition from warm to cooler weather we'll learn of opportunities to rededicate ourselves in community initiatives. I've listed some common and perhaps unknown ways to participate in this post. Did you know that your local Police Precinct has meetings with the community each month? In all five boroughs of New York City there is a Community Council. Check your part of the world for meetings and engagement with local police departments. Learn what the department has achieved, ask your questions, learn how you might even be able to participate in some initiative. You'd be surprised what you may learn! The local police department usually has representation at your Monthly local Community Board Meeting . New businesses, road work, zoning issues and more are discussed at these important meetings. Local elected officials and/or their reps attend these meetings as well. You'd get info about their initiatives in your community. Remember ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How Do You Repair the World?

National Service Shabbat with Geralynn Lane Five years ago... a table was prepared for me to meet  new friends.  The picture above is the day that started it all; actually, it was the preparation for this day. My partner at the podium is Geralynn Lane, not pictured (yet in the audience) is Yusyin Hsin. We’d all been working with NYC Service at partnering agencies. There was an opportunity to attend a National Service Shabbat. I was intrigued by this idea to celebrate service through Jewish custom and belief. As opposed to a formal grace over the food, Geralynn and I led the audience into a moment of gratitude, setting the tone for the evening. There were many progressive young people present. We listened to one another and shared our stories. It was a safe space. Our common share was the gratitude in meeting one another through service.   I grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Honestly the only connection that I had with my Jewish neighbors was my parent’s l...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sparkle and Create!

Hello World. This was a very busy week. Thank God it's Friday. I want to share two nice video's with you; especially since I didn't communicate yesterday. If you had diamonds on the soles of your shoes, would it inspire you to get up and go? Use it as a metaphor. Are you working on something that may seem hard. Well, be diligent and make it beautiful! Be creative with some of life's tasks; Add some spark. Inspire yourself! Click on this link to view Paul Simon live in Zimbabwe with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, as they sing Diamonds on the soles of her shoes, 1987 . (Compliments of Ben Bruch on You Tube) Be Blessed and Be Happy !(Bobby McFerrin Video Compliments of Blue Note Records on You Tube)-Peace
Post a Comment
Read more