“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” on April 16, 1963. As we approach this MLK Day, almost 60 years later, the clarion call to serve has never been so lucid.
Our Federation continually engages in community service across Los Angeles, with our professional staff and through organizational partnerships across our diverse and geographically-dispersed city.
We will convene our staff next week for a professional development session to pay tribute to Dr. King and his pursuit of justice, equity, and compassion.
There are many other ways to honor Dr. King’s legacy. We encourage you to take part in a local program or service opportunity to join the fight against injustice. Here are a few events you can participate in:
MLK Day of Service – January 16th
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 3911 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90037
The event features a food festival, a nonprofit fair, speakers, and hands-on volunteer activities. The day is designed to empower Angelenos to take collective action in the fight for food and climate justice.
38th Annual Kingdom Day Parade – January 16th
Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008
This year, the parade’s theme is “America, The Last Best Hope of the World.” The parade is a televised event and is described as “America’s biggest and oldest birthday celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King.”
11th Annual MLK Day Clothing Drive & Community Breakfast – January 16th
24th St. Elementary School, 2055 W. 24th St., Los Angeles, CA 90018
Volunteers will pack and give away at least 1,500 cold-weather kits for homeless people, including sweatshirts, socks, hats, scarves, and more. There are many ways to get involved including volunteering on-site, donating new clothes and shoes, or sponsoring a new clothing bag. There will also be a delicious community breakfast.
King Day 2023 – January 16th
California African American Museum, Exposition Park, 600 State Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90037
This year’s theme is “MLK: A Legacy of Service.” The program includes a performance by the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, the King Study Group, family activities provided by the Los Angeles Public Library, and more.
Interested in virtual service opportunities with The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and Repair the World?
MLK Day Morning Fuel & Call to Service: Exploring the Intersection of Black & Jewish Identity in America
Join Eric Ward and an expert panel as they fuel our cause for racial justice and equity in the Jewish community and for society.
MLK Serve-a-Thon: Food Resources Data Verification (Shift 1)
MLK Serve-a-Thon: Food Resources Data Verification (Shift 2)
Research and make calls with Repair the World and Hunger Free America to help keep our national food resources database up to date. Commitment: 1.5 hours
Update Resource Directory for People Experiencing Homelessness
Our Community LA (OCLA) has developed a free mobile and web app to help people experiencing resource insecurity. Join Repair the World and OCLA to use your internet-searching talents to ensure the app has the most up to date information available. Commitment: 1.25 hours
Our community shares the commitment to service that Dr. King so gracefully exemplified. We hope you will lend your time to one of these events.
Warmly,
R’ Noah Farkas
