FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2011
Contact:
Jennifer Occean
(202) 785-1670
Washington, DC—For the 25th anniversary of the holiday commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 17, NCLR (National Council of La Raza)—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—will join nonprofit organizations from the NCLR Affiliate Network and the Corporation for National and Community Service to participate in community service projects throughout the nation.
“Dr. King has inspired people from around the world to advocate for equal opportunity. Honoring his legacy through service pays tribute to his dream,” said NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía.
The service activities and contact information for participating NCLR AmeriCorps Affiliates are as follows:
Association House of Chicago—Chicago, IL
The AmeriCorps members from Association House will join City Year Chicago and other organizations in renovating schools in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. Participants will paint murals, beautify the school grounds, and encourage the community to volunteer. Members will also discuss the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his inspiration to service.
Contact: Erika Tejeda, (773) 772-7170
Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe—El Paso, TX
The AmeriCorps program will present an educational program about the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to children at the Child Crisis Center of El Paso, an emergency shelter for children who come from abusive households, homeless parents, or dangerous living conditions. AmeriCorps members will engage the children in activities and lessons that highlight the values of Dr. King and how they might apply his teachings to their lives. Additionally, the members will collect and sort food for the needy as part of the El Paso County food drive.
Contact: Amy O'Rourke, (915) 533-3922
Information Referral Resource Assistance (IRRA)—Edinburg, TX
IRRA AmeriCorps members will lead service projects in honor of Dr. King at various service sites in the Texas Valley, including Rio Grande City, Mission, Edinburg, Weslaco, and Raymondville. Projects will include removing graffiti and beautifying a senior center, holding a food drive for the local food bank and for the Humane Society, and collecting and delivering toys to the children’s ward of the Edinburg Hospital.
Contact: Joanne Ureste, (956) 393-2227
Instituto del Progreso Latino—Chicago, IL
Members of the after-school program at Instituto del Progreso Latino will work with students to create a PowerPoint presentation about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement in order to educate the community about his life and work. Members will also partner with autistic children from the Grupo SALTO Program in Chicago and create art projects with the children that reflect the work of Dr. King.
Contact: Emmanuel Mandujano, (773) 890-0055
Latin American Youth Center (LAYC)—District of Columbia
LAYC and AmeriCorps members from the Maryland Multicultural Youth Center will partner with the Ophelia Egypt Program Center of Planned Parenthood and participate in a community cinema program during which they will watch a movie about social activism and community involvement. Participants will then discuss the movie and community service and complete a service project.
Contact: Toneice Evans, (301) 779-2851
The Unity Council—Oakland, CA
The Unity Council AmeriCorps members will participate in the Park District’s Third Annual Day of Service to celebrate and continue Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of improving lives and bridging social barriers in an effort to improve our communities. For the Day of Service at the Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland, AmeriCorps members and volunteers will assist staff in restoration work and invasive plant removal in order to support and care for wildlife and their natural habitats.
Contact: Anthony Zapien, (510) 535-7175
Youth Policy Institute (YPI)—Los Angeles, CA
YPI AmeriCorps members will participate in Operation Hangar Cleanup at the Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum (TAM) in Compton. The project will consist of cleaning, painting, and organizing the hangar and Sky Lab for educational classes. TAM will also hold a book and school supplies drive to collect donations to be used in the Aero Squad After School Program and local schools. On Tuesday, January 18, YPI AmeriCorps will host a service project at YPI Hollywood's Family Source Center with a mural painting and essay contest that focuses on children's aspirations for college and their futures.
Contact: Husani Garrett, (818) 899-5550
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