There have been many important people throughout American history. One that was especially impactful was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a Baptist minister but was more so known as a social activist. His actions in the American civil rights movement led to him winning a Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was a visionary that pushed for equality in America. His activism started in the mid 1950’s but was cut short when he was assassinated in 1968. As a result, he is also remembered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This holiday was created in 1986 and falls on January 17th. To celebrate this federal holiday you can give back to your community. However, if you aren’t in the position to give back, you can benefit from local organizations that are inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
How to Giveback on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
This federal holiday encourages people to celebrate by giving back to the community since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was someone that stood for his community. You can help support your community by:
- Making the Community Look Better
- Helping People in the Community Get Ready for a Job
- Getting the Community Prepared for Emergencies
- Promoting Healthy Futures
- Helping Those in Need
- Giving Out Food Assistance
Making the Community Look Better
What will be best for your community will depend on the needs of your community. That means you will need to look at what your specific community could benefit from. Some popular ways that people improve their communities is by making green spaces for the community, turning an abandoned and safe space into a space for community use, and volunteering at a park.
Helping People in the Community Get Ready for a Job
Sadly, many people do not have education on how to handle the process of getting a job. Which is why you could step in to help! For example, you could help people get ready for the job application process with interview skills, resume writing, job application completion, training programs, etc.
Getting the Community Prepared for Emergencies
Sometimes, people can find themselves dealing with emergencies and not knowing what to do. You can help support your community by distributing fire safety information, giving out disaster preparation kits, and even teaching yourself how to be your own first responder. This knowledge can help people in the community be more prepared for emergencies (including yourself!).
Promoting Healthy Futures
An important part of having a healthy future includes good habits. Which is why you can help your community better understand what it means to have a healthy future! You can arrange a health fair, register organ and bone marrow donors, organize a blood donor drive, and more.
Helping Those in Need
Many people can find themselves dealing with hardship. On the other hand, people can find themselves in a position to help those dealing with hardship. There are plenty of ways that a person could provide support to those in need. For example, they could assist low-income families find free tax preparation services, create or participate in a neighborhood watch program, help with yard maintenance for neighbors who can’t do it on their own, and much more.
Giving Out Food Assistance
Everyone needs to deal with the cost of groceries in one way or another. That’s because a person can’t live without food! That is why you can help those that can’t easily get a meal by giving out food assistance. You can do this by delivering meals to homebound neighbors, giving out meals at a homeless shelter, teaching people how to eat healthy on a budget, organizing a food drive, etc.
Other Assistance Opportunities Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is known as someone that supported others. His message and views are what inspire countless local organizations. There may be organizations near you that are inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that helps those in the community who are in need. For example, some local organizations include:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center
- Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center
This organization is located in Spokane, Washington. The goal of the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center is to enhance the quality of life for youth, children, and families in the community. To reach this goal, they provide assistance options that are aligned with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideals. For example, some programs that this center provides includes:
- Senior Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
- Fulfillment-Achievement-Maturity-Enrichment Program (FAME)
- Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP)
Not only do they offer programs but they also offer assistance through a food bank, a summer youth academy, and more.
Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center
The Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center is based in Spring Valley, New York. They focus on their community in that area and aim to provide support through caring professionals. Similarly to many other charitable organizations, it is funded by public grants and donations from people that want to help support their cause. As a result, there are plenty of different programs that this center provides like:
- Community Health Program
- NYS Licensed After School Program
- NYS Licensed Summer Program
- Senior Nutrition Assistance Program
- Youth Employment Program
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
You can find this organization in Newport, Rhode Island. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center’s goal is to help people in the community improve their situation physically, financially, and socially. Through their efforts, they want to create a strong and inclusive community that has resilient people living their best lives. As a result, they have three main focuses which are:
- Community Support Programs
- Hunger Prevention
- Early Childhood and Extended Learning Time Education
Since these are their three main focuses, they offer a variety of assistance. For example, they can help people through nutrition education, a daily meal program, a food pantry, educational programs, giving those in need access to a registered dietician, etc.
In Short
In conclusion, the actions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a key player in the 1963 March on Washington and the Montgomery Bus Boycott led to legislation that changed the country. Legislation includes the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. He was such a symbol of peace that he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Respect, equality, nonviolent protests, and more are the beliefs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that continue to inspire others.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day (which is a federal holiday), you can give back to those in need in your community. However, not everyone is in the position to give back and may need assistance. In which case, you should see if there are any local charitable organizations that can provide support.