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MLK Jr. Day Off, and Day On

January 13th, 2011 by Jon Penndorf · 12 Comments · Capitol Hill, DC, H Street, Kingman Park

uploaded to flickr.com by jeremy.wilburn

Many of us will enjoy a three day weekend as we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 17.  To honor Dr. King’s sacrifice and his legacy of justice and empowerment, many local nonprofits and community groups are organizing service events for those with a day off to instead have a “day on,” volunteering to make a difference in the lives of others.  Yes, an extra day of sleeping in is a luxury, but completing a few hours of community service with your neighbors can be a rewarding experience for all and worth setting the alarm for on Monday morning.  Read on to find community service opportunities on MLK Jr. Day right here on the Hill. 

From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, volunteers will be cleaning up the Kingman Park neighborhood.  Folks will start at the 500 block of Oklahoma Ave. NE and finish up at the 500 block of 19th Street SE.  For more information or to sign up, contact Lisa White.

If you are interested in the benefits of a green roof, you have the opportunity to help install one on a business roof on H Street NE.  DC Greenworksis looking for a few additional volunteers from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to assist in installation.  Training will be provided on site.

In addition to special MLK Jr. Day projects, there are a number of nonprofit organizations based on Capitol Hill that are constantly in need of volunteers.  What better day than a national Day of Service to start giving some time to one of these worthy causes?

  • The Capitol Hill Group Ministry runs homeless outreach programs, family strengthening programs, and provide neighborhood social services.  The Ministry brings together people of many faiths to strengthen the community, and has been doing so for over 40 years.
  • The Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center provides health support, parent training, counseling, and child care items to families in crisis pregnancy.  There is a need for volunteers on an ongoing basis.
  • Capitol Hill Village is a nonprofit that helps older residents live in their homes longer by providing a range of support services.  Volunteers are needed for everything from transporting residents to doctor appointments to assisting residents with light home maintenance projects.
  • Become a tutor for local school kids through Jan’s Tutoring House.

There are many other special volunteer events occurring on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day throughout the DC area.  More information can be found on the Greater DC Cares website.

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  • C

    Hmmm, not sure how I feel about a pro-life organization being included on this list, but I suppose to each their own.

  • T

    Yeah, being pro-life and responsible, what an awful concept..

    Because DC has far too many responsible “parents.”

  • LK

    The crisis pregnancy center exists to guilt women into continuing pregnancies. Once the babies are born, the women are on their own. But then, that is the MO of so-called pro-lifers. They’re all up in your business until birth. And then they’re all about cutting social services to support poor women and their children. They do NOT belong on this list!

  • http://www.thehillishome.com Jon Penndorf

    @LK…sorry but that’s not exactly true. The CHPC collects & distributes diapers, baby clothes, etc., hold parenting classes, and provides support past birth.

    As for it being included on this list, it’s a nonprofit organization based on Capitol Hill, which is why it was included here (as stated in the post).

    If you know of other nonprofits based on the Hill please add them.

  • KG

    I was very excited to see this list, until I saw the pregnancy center. It is irresponsible to list the center here without acknowledging its politicized position. People are entitled to hold their own perspective on this issue, but the center does not provide accurate or complete information regarding birth control or pregnancy options, and women (and men) need to be aware of that.

  • C

    I think it is more responsible to prevent the ‘crisis’ pregnancy in the first place.

    I would suggest supporting Planned Parenthood (there is a branch in NE on Minnesota Avenue), as well as Metro Teen AIDS. Both organizations provide information on pregnancy and HIV prevention methods.

  • C

    Sorry for one more post, but I would also like to give a shout out to Prevention Works, which is located on Benning Road and is doing great work in harm reduction and HIV prevention.

  • http://twitter.com/nicholeaileen Nichole Remmert

    Thank you for adding those, even if they’re a bit off the Hill.

    No one here is trying to push an agenda, just trying to give people options for volunteering on Monday. Some may not be your cup of tea, but they’re still volunteer opportunities. I’m glad you added some more choices – can never have too many of those!

  • Really?

    The ignorance displayed in the comments to this post is really shocking. Clearly, some people did not take the President’s comments to heart. I’m looking at you “C” and “LK.” You guys are exactly what is wrong with political discourse in this country. Many reasonable people disagree over certain sensitive issues, but expressing yourself in an unreasonable manner is not helpful.

  • Sebastian

    I think that it is important to expose and discuss a group’s agenda. I don’t understand the indignation really.

  • ppp

    Why does anyone care? Out of the people that read this blog and actually live on capitol hill (maybe 90%), only about a quarter of them would have off on Monday anyway, and maybe only two of those people were considering volunteering. And I’m sure those two people would have done thier research anyway.

  • Elizabeth

    I, too, am unsettled by the inclusion of a CPC on this list. Crisis Pregnancy Centers give inaccurate, misleading, and limited information, directed by a very specific agenda. Without providing any context for the Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center, The Hill is Home is being irresponsible– it too is inaccurate, misleading, and limiting.