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Girard College Hosts MLK Day of Service for 13th Consecutive Year
Girard College is proud to serve as the signature project site for the 27th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, taking place on Monday, January 17, 2022, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The theme this year is “Combatting Racism & Building Community.” Five areas of focus include: Health Justice, Voting Rights, Gun Violence, Living Wage Jobs, and Early Child Literacy.
In-person activities include free COVID testing, vaccination, and flu shots provided by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium.
James D. Turner, Interim President of Girard College, said, “We are honored to partner with Global Citizen for the 13th consecutive year to host the MLK Day of Service. This event will always have a home at Girard, and we are grateful for the many organizations that support social justice reform in our city and inspire our students to become active citizens.”
Student Participation
Girard College high school students, including Isata George ’23 will be volunteering on-site and participating in poll worker training with the Committee of Seventy.
Senior C.J. Scott ’22 will read from Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” at Eastern State Penitentiary. Watch the recording on Facebook here (CJ introduced at 1:15:32).
Fourth and fifth grade students submitted artwork for use in social distancing Space Pads produced by Mural Arts. Four student designs were selected and made into pads for the event. Congratulations to all!
Sahara B. ’30 – “The time is always right to do what’s right”
Ashya P. ’30 – “Power to the People”
Alex W. ’30 – “We all Matter, We are all Equal”
Tahmir D. ’29 – “Black Lives Matter”
In-Person Activities
Activities on the College’s campus will address health justice, targeting underserved communities, including:
- Free COVID testing led by the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium (Welcome Center)
- Free adult & children’s vaccination clinics & flu shots led by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Armory)
- Register here: https://chopvax.chop.edu
- Distribution of PPE (Armory & Welcome Center)
- Educational activities for children promoting literacy, including reading stories, coloring books, watching Dr. King’s speeches and distributing free books (Armory)
- Health information on vaccinations, safety, mental health (Armory)
- Voter Registration (Armory)
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony will take place in the Armory at 9:00 a.m. and will also be broadcast on Zoom.
Speakers will include:
- Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney
- Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Bob Casey
- Congressman Dwight Evans
- Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro
- Pennsylvania State Sen. Vincent Hughes
- City Commissioner Omar Sabir
- James Turner, Interim President, Girard College
- Dr. Ala Stanford, Founder, Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium
- Gregory E. Deavens, President & CEO, Independence Blue Cross
- Sharmain Matlock-Turner, President & CEO, Urban Affairs Coalition
- Bill Golderer, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Phila. & Southern New Jersey
- Todd Bernstein, President, Global Citizen; Founder & Director, Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 32nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert
January 17, 2022, 1:00 p.m.
Free. Tickets required but do not guarantee entry
Join Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Your Philadelphia Orchestra in honoring the life and work of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrating our Philadelphia community with the uniting power of music.
Please note: This year’s performance takes place in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center. The concert is free, but tickets are required. Seating is general admission and on a first-come, first-served basis starting 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance. Tickets do not guarantee entry. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m.
The concert will be broadcast live on WRTI 90.1 FM.
Dr. Martin Luther King Day at Eastern State Penitentiary
January 17, 2022, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Free. No reservations required.
Join Eastern State Penitentiary in person or online for a free, hybrid program commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Students, educators, public officials, artists, and activists will read the entirety of Dr. King’s landmark text and reflect on its relevance today. Special guests will provide space for reflection and connection as well as music and art inspired by Dr. King’s legacy. People attending in person can also take part in hands-on activities.
Additional Featured Projects
Dr. King’s Legacy, Voting Rights & Citizen Action
January 17, 2022, 3pm on Zoom
Panelists:
- Pennsylvania State Sen. Vincent Hughes
- Philadelphia City Commissioner Omar Sabir
- Barbara Arnwine, President & Founder, Transformative Justice Coalition
- Kadida Kenner, founding Executive Director, New Pennsylvania Project
Food Distribution Sites
Located around Philadelphia to provide resources to people living in underserved communities.
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
2800 West Cheltenham Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19150
Distribution: 10am-Noon (church parking lot)
PHMC Serenity Court
1221 N 19th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19121
Distribution: 9am-1pm
Mighty Writers North
2300 W Master Street
Philadelphia, PA 19121
Distribution: Noon-2pm (24th St. side of the building)
Jobs & Opportunity Fair
January 17, 2022, 10am – 2pm on Zoom
25 employers offering real job opportunities highlighting economic justice.
Medical Reserve Corps Training
MRC members volunteer at COVID-19 testing sites, will assist in the upcoming vaccine program, and future health emergencies.
Read by 4th Campaign Reading Captains Training
January 17, 2022, 2pm on Zoom
An initiative that protects every child’s right to read in Philadelphia by connecting community volunteers with a citywide movement for early literacy.
Updated Information and Volunteer Opportunities
Social Media
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