Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, will mark the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, the only federally holiday recognized as a National Day of Service. MLK Day encourages all Americans to honor Dr. King through service to one another and their communities. Those who wish to serve will join thousands of others nationwide in answering what Dr. King called, “life’s most persistent and urgent question …What are you doing for others?”
AmeriCorps, the federal agency which leads the MLK Day of Service and the nation’s volunteer efforts, is providing tools and resources for volunteers to find service projects and service organizations to recruit members for volunteer opportunities in their area.
The MLK Day of Service follows the confirmation of AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith who will help lead the annual day of service. In his first days as CEO, Smith joined The King Center to announce a slate of commemoration events for the Martin Luther King holiday.
Individuals can go to AmeriCorps.gov/mlkday to get involved:
• Volunteer in person or virtually at an MLK Day service project
• Organize a service event using the resources on AmeriCorps.gov
• Pledge to serve with a nonprofit or organization throughout the year
Local service events can be found by visiting AmeriCorps.gov and entering a preferred zip code. Organizations can promote their volunteer opportunities by following instructions found on AmeriCorps.gov.
Americans in all 50 states will participate in projects that include delivering meals, refurbishing schools and community centers, collecting food and clothing, and building homes. Volunteers also will recruit mentors, provide services for veterans and military families, help citizens improve their financial literacy skills, and more.
In recognition of Dr. King’s legacy of service and leadership to gain equality for all Americans, Congress designated the Martin Luther King, Jr., federal holiday as a national day of service in 1994 and charged AmeriCorps, then known as the Corporation for National and Community Service, with leading this effort.
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency invests more than $800 million in grants for local nonprofit, community, tribal, and state organizations; places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.
