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.
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.
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