When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke at the March on Washington, he described a “fierce urgency of now.” More than 50 years later, his words have renewed meaning. They remind us that we are stronger when we march forward, together.

 

The commemoration of the MLK Day of Service is a call to act on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of social justice and equity. This day marks our opportunity to commit to volunteering in service to others. Through those efforts, we can strengthen ties to our communities and one another while exploring ways honor Dr. King’s legacy through service.

 

Congress designated Martin Luther King Jr. Day  as a national day of service and it takes place each third Monday in January. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service — a "day on, not a day off." This day of service helps to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, address social problems, and move us closer to Dr. King's vision of a "Beloved Community”.

 

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a defining moment each year when people across the country step up to make our communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. While Dr. King believed The Beloved Community was possible, he acknowledged and fought for systemic change. His example is our call to action.

 

Making time to volunteer for MLK Day of Service is a great way to engage with your community while honoring the legacy of Dr. King. Whether you plan on cleaning up a public space, mentoring a young person or engaging in dialogue to explore ways to address inequity, foster inclusion and improve access, honor Dr. King’s legacy through service.

 

While much work remains to fulfill Dr. King’s dream of a Beloved Community, service can help unify people of different backgrounds and experiences. Through service we can build more equitable and just communities to underpin racial equity, expand civic opportunities, and foster respect for individual differences.

 

Looking for a way to participate? Sign up to volunteer! Get Involved in your Community! Attend a public meeting!