The Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service is a defining moment each year when Americans across the country step up to make communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. Dr. King’s acknowledgement and fight for systemic change serves as the call to action for the Day of Service.
MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. During the last quarter-century, the MLK Day of Service has grown, and its impact increased as more Americans embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role in improving communities.
STEP AmeriCorps, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Lycoming College, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, the Lycoming County United Way, the United Churches of Lycoming County, and the James V. Brown Library partnered for a week full of events known as Dream Week.
To kick off Dream Week, STEP AmeriCorps members joined James V. Brown Library staff for their annual MLK Day Children's event on Monday, January 20, featuring a reading of Be A King and a variety of crafts including "I have a dream" vision boards, crowns, and musical instruments. The STEP AmeriCorps annual Peace Walk planned for the MLK holiday was revised to an indoor speaking event at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church due to the extreme cold temperature and icy conditions outside. Speakers included STEP AmeriCorps Program Manager Carrie Bruning, Mayor Derek Slaughter, AmeriCorps Alumna and Favors Forward Foundation Executive Director Lalitha Durlin, Bethel AME worship leader Patrick Jackson, and STEP President & CEO Rachelle Abbott, all in honor of Dr. King's legacy.
On Friday, January 24 Pennsylvania College of Technology held a “Lunch and Learn” on the topic of financial literacy. The luncheon, facilitated by Cornerstone Independent Asset Management, was held at STEP’s Williamsport campus on Boyd Street.
On Saturday, January 25, the United Churches of Lycoming County organized a bus trip to the African American Museum of History & Culture in Washington, D.C.
In addition to these events, Dream Week 2025 offered many service opportunities throughout the community, including preparing meals, serving meals, packing food boxes, produce distribution, a clothing drive, and STEP AmeriCorps hygiene drive.
The MLK Day of Service is led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps and SeniorCorps programs and leads the nation’s volunteer efforts. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.gov.
