“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘what are you doing for others?'” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In honor of the 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, our JV AmeriCorps members participated in restoration projects, rallies, food drives, and more! Check out a few summaries of this year’s MLK Day service activities!
From Laura Paolino, JV AmeriCorps member serving in Yakima, WA:
“Our house participated in a March for Justice on Martin Luther King Day, which was followed by a program held at the Yakima Convention Center where we listened to talks from various members of the community on the theme of service. We heard from a local high school senior, who urged us to “stick with love,” a Reverend who sang “We Shall Overcome,” and the Yakima School District Superintendent, who encouraged the Yakima community to continue MLK’s message of serving others. In an effort to create a tangible action step, he created an initiative called “Yakima Act 1000,” an online platform where community members are encouraged to create teams and rack up 1000 hours of service over the next year.
Following the program, we walked over to one of Yakima’s community centers, where members of the march shared a meal of hot soup, crackers, and coffee. It was a beautiful day filled with music and a strong sense of hope, solidarity, and community.”
JV AmeriCorps members serving in Gresham, OR:
JV AmeriCorps member Anna Butler (Gresham, OR ’15-16) serves as the Eastside Green Team Education Specialist at SOLVE. In honor of MLK Day, SOLVE hosted a river cleanup event. Volunteers, including Anna and many of her Gresham JV AmeriCorps community mates, removed litter along the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade. Separate from the day of service, the Gresham community also hosted a viewing and discussion of the film Selma.
From Megan Norris, JV AmeriCorps member serving in Grays Harbor, WA:
“The Grays Harbor community participated in MLK Day of Service by picking up garbage in our neck of the woods. We live in an area of Aberdeen that is often looked down upon and referred to as Felony Flats…. the area was where ex-cons were granted housing after incarceration.
As Jesuit Volunteers striving to live eco-consciously, the high amount of trash in the road, on the sidewalks, and in yards where we live has been disheartening this year. From just three blocks we were able to bag 7 full bags of trash. The result of our service was immediately noticeable-the street looks a lot better!”
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated in celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
