The national “Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service” was officially started when the King Holiday and Service Act was signed in 1994. The federal legislation challenges Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action and volunteer service in honor of King. The day of service has been coordinated nationally by Americorps, a federal agency that provides grants to organizations coordinating service activities on that day.
Megan Ivey, Direct Care Supervisor, asked the residents to write about Martin Luther King, Jr. and what his life and work meant to them. She had them prepare short speeches to be given at a campus-wide event.
The Event
On Monday, January 20, 2025, St. Louis Center hosted an event for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Fifty residents and 15 staff members ate dinner together in the bus stop before going into the gym for the event.
Sarah
Sarah opened the event by playing the Star Spangled Banner on her recorder.
Five residents gave speeches dedicated to recognizing what MLK had accomplished for our country and how it has motivated them in their own lives.
Lisa
Lisa recounted that Dr. King led marches in Washington DC and Alabama. She was especially inspired when he said, “I have a dream.” She is very happy when she thinks of the legacy of Dr. King and is “totally inspired” by his words.
“I can be like Martin Luther King Jr. by being kind to people, and listening to them.”
Charlie
Charlie focused on rights and freedom. He said that the American people have freedom. Before Dr. King, people were segregated especially on the busses and at drinking fountains. He noted that Dr. King was a black man. Charlie also sait that black people were against white people, but Dr. King helped to end that.
“Black people are free, they’re free! Martin Luther King, Jr. makes me happy and inspires me to be nice to others.”
Jacqui
Jacqui was impacted by Dr. King’s influence on the ending of segregation in schools. She feels that his message is respect, and that we should treat everybody with respect.
“He treated everybody equally. He saved people from slavery, and made everything work.”
Jerome
Following all of the speeches, the entire group went over discussion questions related to these topics.
Jerome closed the event by playing Proud to be an American on the piano and singing. Everyone enjoyed cupcakes before heading home.
If this sounds like a place for your loved one to live, why not schedule a tour to see what St. Louis Center could offer to your family?
Learn more about living at St. Louis Center
