Central MLK Jr. Day of Service touches hundreds in local communities

Published:
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Author:
Marisa Nadolny

 Central Connecticut State University’s annual MLK Jr. Breakfast and Day of Service on Jan. 19 brought students, faculty, and staff together to reflect and work toward the greater good on behalf of our communities. Led by the Center for Community Engagement and Social Research (CCESR), the event’s theme was “Reimagining an Inclusive Campus: It Starts with Me.”

The university community started the day with breakfast at Alumni Hall, followed by a keynote address from guest speaker Dr. David W. Robison-Morris, an author, educator, philosopher, social justice and human rights activist, and community organizer.

After the formal program concluded, volunteers worked on their Day of Service projects throughout the afternoon. At the end of the day, volunteers had quite a bit to be proud of, including:

  • Approximately 40 Central volunteers completed 100 MLK-themed literacy kits in partnership with the United Way. The kits will be provided to New Britain students between grades 5 and 6.

  • Forty-six volunteers crafted 100 self-care kits for teens in foster care, which include an assortment of hygiene supplies, blankets, coloring books/colored pencils, stress balls, fidget toys, journals, water bottles, and a handwritten motivational letter from a volunteer. The completed kits will be distributed by the Connecticut Alliance for Foster and Adoptive Families, who joined the group on campus for this activity. Central freshman Kaiden Esteves initially proposed this service project to CCESR.

  • A group of five volunteers went to the Friendship Service Center in New Britain, working alongside some of the residents supported by the center to work on the center’s Community Closet. Volunteers helped by processing donations, following protocol for washing/cleaning items as needed, and displaying items on the floor in the community closet.

  • An additional group of eight volunteers joined residents of the Graham Apartments Senior Housing in New Britain for various activities in their community room, including a guided painting of MLK led by Amore to Paint, LLC, in New Britain, bingo, dominos, and assorted puzzles.

"Community engagement is an area of distinction for this university,” says Central President Zulma R. Toro. “The work we do within our communities improves the quality of life of our neighbors and partners, and it enriches our students’ educational experience.”

Members of the campus community shared their thoughts on what inclusion means to them during the annual MLK Jr. Breakfast and Day of Service on Jan. 19. (Photo by John Henninger)

Student-athletes assemble literacy kits as part of the MLK Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 19 at Central. (Photo by John Henninger)