In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Americans stepped up during the 2023 MLK Day of Service to build bridges and heal divides across the nation.
Thousands of Americans joined service projects to help create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dreams. Volunteers united in Dr. King’s legacy by assembling care packages for community members impacted by natural disasters, revamping schools, joining local park cleanups, and helping those who are food insecure.
Check out some of the MLK Day service projects from across the nation:
Alabamians Clean Up Birmingham
AmeriCorps members with Black Warrior Riverkeeper teamed up with Birmingham City Councilor Clinton Woods and local volunteers to clean up the Alabama city. More than 90 volunteers gathered to clear over one ton of litter.
Our #MLKDay #AmeriCorps Cleanup with Birmingham City Council’s Councilor Clinton Woods featured 93 volunteers who removed 1,791.5 lbs of litter from #Birmingham District 1! To join future cleanups, please visit: https://t.co/V9hROsfrgIpic.twitter.com/gIGryJW1XC<
BWRiverkeeper (@BWRiverkeeper) January 18, 2023
The Golden State Gives Back to the Environment
Volunteers gathered in Southern California to participate in L.A. Works and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum’s MLK Day of Service—the largest volunteer event in the county. They helped create urban greening kits for school programs and youth centers, hosted a panel discussion on environmental stewardship, assembled disaster preparedness kits for underserved communities, and more.
Shout out to all those who made it a day on & not a day off with @LAWorksNow at @lacoliseum for their annual #MLKDay of Service — volunteers assembled Urban Greening Kits to serve South LA’s school program & youth centers.👏🌳
— California Volunteers (@CalVolunteers) January 17, 2023
Find an opp. near you.⤵️https://t.co/jr9Yk4m5xk pic.twitter.com/jgO0Z4UhT7
Older Adults Lead by Example
AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers and students in Albuquerque, N.M. shared their gratitude for community members this MLK Day of Service. Together, they wrote cards and painted their gratitude on rocks for veterans, teachers, and fellow older adults in the community.
Young Adults in North Carolina Paint the Town
Members of Habitat for Humanity, Greensboro joined forces with volunteers to revamp the city. More than 300 volunteers served on construction projects, like repainting and building fences, and cleanups to help beautify the community.
Vice President Joins AmeriCorps CEO for MLK Day of Service Project
And in Washington, DC, there was no shortage of service. Vice President Kamala volunteered with AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith and US Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona at George Washington University for the campus’ annual service event that draws hundreds of students, staff, and faculty. Led by GW Serves JumpStart, the administration leaders and campus volunteers created activities for children to learn numbers and recognize colors.
We each have a responsibility as citizens to make our communities better. On this National Day of Service, @SecCardona and I spent time with young leaders in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. pic.twitter.com/MWTNWYgEYV
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) January 16, 2023
Americans like these volunteers put Dr. King’s words, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that,” into action.
Over the past week, that love could be felt across the nation as Americans united in their communities to serve and heal divides. Through volunteerism, we showed up in full force for our neighbors to deliver on the promise of Dr. King’s example.
This year was a defining moment, and AmeriCorps encourages you to keep the momentum going. Engage your community. Find volunteer opportunities to take constructive action and carry Dr. King’s mission throughout the rest of the year. Learn more about the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service at AmeriCorps.gov/MLKDay.
