MLK National Day of Service

LISC AmeriCorps Honors Dr. Martin Luther King with “A Day On Not a Day Off” Events Across the Nation

New York - Monday, January 17, 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr., holiday. This day celebrates the life and teaching of one of America’s great civil rights leaders and serves as day for individuals all over the nation to come together for a day of service. This year LISC AmeriCorps members will be out in communities across the country focusing on making a difference in their surrounding neighborhoods. LISC AmeriCorps will serve side-by-side with local volunteers, LISC staff, and community stakeholders. Here is a brief synopsis of what the AmeriCorps programs hosted by local LISC offices are undertaking. However, if you would like more information on MLK Day events in your neighborhood visit www.mlkday.gov or www.serve.gov.

Bay Area, CA - Bay Area members will be joining the Richmond community to answer Dr. King’s call to service. Members will partner with the Watershed Project and local residents to enhance the Richmond Greenway, a reclaimed public space for natural recreation and urban farming. Activities will include planting, landscaping and removing litter along the greenway.

Boston, MA - Boston LISC AmeriCorps members and the staff at Waltham Alliance to Create Housing (WATCH) will be teaming up for a “weatherization barn-raising.” At this event experienced team leaders from WATCH will lead other volunteers from the community in a day’s worth of caulking, changing light bulbs, and other energy saving tasks.

Chicago, IL - LISC Chicago AmeriCorps members will be partnering with Allstate and Chicago Public Schools for the 3rd Annual Allstate Give Back Day. This year’s event will take place at Cameron Elementary and will focus on labeling and organizing books in each teacher’s classroom. This will help teachers delegate which book is appropriate for each student to increase literacy rates.

Cincinnati, OH – LISC Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky AmeriCorps members and staff will begin the day with “Justice Speaking," a time for listening to a Martin Luther King Jr. speech as inspiration for group reflection and discussion on the role of civil rights issues in community development. Members and Staff will then join the march at The Freedom Center at 10:30 for the mile-long walk to Music Hall.

Houston, TX – Members in Houston will be teaming up with the Boy Scouts of America to plant trees and vegetables and clean up the community garden in Magnolia Park. Magnolia Park is part of Houston’s GO – Neighborhoods project to build sustainable communities.

Jacksonville, FL - LISC Jacksonville members will participate in Northwest Jacksonville CDC Clean Up. Members will be out in the community picking up debris and removing any other unsightly materials. In addition, members will be assisting staff at Grace & Truth CDC in collecting coats and blankets at an area mall for those most in need.

Michigan - Michigan LISC AmeriCorps members will be serving with Habitat for Humanity of Kent County on a build project for this year’s MLK Day of service.

Newark, NJ - Newark LISC AmeriCorps and other volunteers will be participating in a MLK Day project at Dr. Michael Conti School in Jersey City, NJ. Members will be painting new murals, make bingo cards, assemble first aid kits and create inspirational picnic tables and benches.

Rhode Island - The Rhode Island LISC AmeriCorps will be participating in the NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley 9th Annual MLK Day celebration. LISC AmeriCorps members will take part in assisting the NWBRV in setting up the Stadium Theater in Woonsocket, RI, serving food and helping people find their way to their seats prior to the day’s events.

San Diego, CA - In San Diego members will be teaming up with Volunteer San Diego at the Bayside Community Center to help clean up and repair homes of local seniors in the Linda Vista community.

Toledo, OH - Along with Mercy College Toledo LISC AmeriCorps members will take part in a MLK Community Soup and Resource Event. This get together will include educational sessions focused on such topics as how to speak to kids about drugs, cyber bullying and developing healthy relationships.

Richmond, VA – In Virginia, LISC AmeriCorps members will be canvassing the Fulton community in Richmond, VA. The goal of this project is to make residents aware of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the criteria needed to apply for this benefit.

For more information on the LISC AmeriCorps Program, contact Stacey Rapp, Program Director at srapp@lisc.org or at 212.455.9308.