Monday, January 20, 2025

The Jersey Cares Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service engages people across the state to embody Dr. King's vision and bring people of all ages and backgrounds together, strengthening their communities and building a stronger New Jersey. Volunteers across the state will come together to honor Dr. King's legacy through a variety of projects.

Virtual Project Options

Virtual Cards: Youth volunteers and their families will create electronic cards including pictures and inspirational quotes for refugees working with International Rescue Committee as a sign of support as they transition to their new lives in America.

Please note: this project is specifically geared for volunteers ages 4-17 and their families. Although anyone is welcome to join, the activity is youth-focused.

• Registration for this project is FREE.
• This project is appropriate for ages 4-17 and their families.
• This project will take place from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• The last day to register for this project is Thursday, January 16th.
• Registration for this project is now closed.

Virtual Building Bridges Workshop: Volunteers will learn about common mental health disorders and explore ways to provide support to members of their own communities through Mental Health First Aid. This workshop invites volunteers to interact throughout the presentation and create self-care action plans to support individuals struggling with their mental health and receiving support from Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey.

• Registration for this project is FREE.
• This project is appropriate for ages 14+.
• This project will take place from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
• The last day to register for this project is Thursday, January 16th.
• Registration for this project is now closed.

Virtual Chopped Challenge Workshop: Volunteers will participate in a Hunger Simulation Icebreaker to understand the difficulties of feeding a family on a limited budget and create custom recipes for economically disadvantaged families receiving support from Food Bank of South Jersey by using food commonly found in inner city convenience and grocery stores. 

• Registration for this project is FREE.
• This project is appropriate for ages 14+.
• This project will take place from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• The last day to register for this project is Thursday, January 16th.
• Registration for this project is now closed.

Virtual Understanding Homelessness Workshop: Volunteers will learn about homelessness in the United States and the role mental health plays for individuals experiencing homelessness. This workshop will allow teams to participate in a simulation activity and create “You Matter” cards to provide support to individuals from Family Promise of Southwest New Jersey.

• Registration for this project is FREE.
• This project is appropriate for ages 14+.
• This project will take place from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• The last day to register for this project is Thursday, January 16th.
• Registration for this project is now closed.

In-Person Project Options

CANCELED "I Have A Dream" Walk: Volunteers will come together in solidarity to support the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and social justice causes by walking 2 miles or running a 5k. 50% of all funds raised for this project support New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.

• This event has been canceled by Millburn Township due to the weather.
• Participants have been notified via email and can still continue to fundraise in support of NJISJ.

Morning Kit Assembly in Parsippany: Volunteers will create Veteran Support Dog Kits to support Operation K9 Beethoven. Kits will include creative components as well as kit packing activities.

• Registration for this project is FREE.
• This event is appropriate for ages 4+.
• This event will take place from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. as scheduled.

Afternoon Kit Assembly in Parsippany: Volunteers will create Adopt A Dog Kits to support adoptable dogs from St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center. Kits will include creative components as well as kit packing activities.

• Registration for this project is FREE.
• This event is appropriate for ages 4+.
• This event will take place from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. as scheduled

Morning Kit Assembly in Princeton: Volunteers will create Sensory Kits to support children with special needs from A. Harry Moore School. Kits will include creative components as well as kit packing activities.

• Registration for this project is FREE.
• This event is appropriate for ages 4+.
• This event will take place from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. as scheduled.

Afternoon Kit Assembly in Princeton: Volunteers will create Grief Sensory Kits to support grieving children and families receiving services through Good Grief. Kits will include creative components as well as kit packing activities.

• Registration for this project is FREE.
• This event is appropriate for ages 4+.
• This event will take place from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. as scheduled.

Morning Kit Assembly in Woodbridge: Volunteers will create Children's Literacy Kits to support Head Start programs through Acelero Learning. Kits will include creative components as well as kit packing activities.

• Registration for this project is FREE.
• This event is appropriate for ages 4+.
• This event will take place from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. as scheduled.

Afternoon Kit Assembly in Woodbridge: Volunteers will create Adult Literacy Kits to support Literacy New Jersey. Kits will include creative components as well as kit packing activities.

• Registration for this project is FREE.
• This event is appropriate for ages 4+.
• This event will take place from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. as scheduled.

CANCELED Care of the Park in Branch Brook Park: Volunteers will help beautify Branch Brook Park in Newark by removing the invasive Phragmitie plant from areas of the park. This opportunity is held outside, so please dress warm.

• This project has been canceled by Essex County Branch Brook Park.

SWAG AND SUPPORT

Head over to our online store to make a donation supporting Jersey Cares and receive MLK Day of Service apparel as a thank you!

To make a donation and check out other Jersey Cares accessories, please click HERE.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

Questions? Please call us at 973-533-1993 or email us at mlkdos@jerseycares.org.