During their year of service, AmeriCorps VISTA members participate in two National Days of Service. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day (MLK Day) in January is one of those days. This year the Eco3 VISTAs volunteered for several events.
Sixteen VISTAs assisted with the MLK Day series of events hosted by the Duluth Chapter of the NAACP and various community sponsors. This year’s event series was centered around the theme “Leading Onward.”
VISTAs started the day with the kickoff Breakfast event held at the First United Methodist Church. Some VISTAs served breakfast to attendees while other VISTAs staffed the serving stations and took down tables and chairs following the event. The breakfast included a community viewing of a broadcast from Minneapolis with keynote speaker Marley Dias.
After the Breakfast, VISTAs supported the March through downtown Duluth. The March was well-attended by community members, despite the subzero temperatures. VISTAs helped supervise sign-making stations and acted as marshalls for the march, helping keep everyone safe and organized.
VISTA members also attended the Rally at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC). The program included speeches by local leaders in the African American and Indigenous communities, performances of dance and music, and presentations of NAACP projects from 2023. The Rally ended with a powerful sing-along of Lift Every Voice and Sing.
MLK Day was a wonderful opportunity for our VISTAs to meet new community members, collaborate with community partners, and learn more about the lasting legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The VISTAs followed their volunteer opportunity with a gathering at the Eco3 offices for a historical activity and opportunity for reflection on the life of Dr. King.
We are always open to ideas on future community service collaborations for Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Please feel free to contact Phil at philip@ecolibrium3.org if you are interested in partnering.