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Talking Points

CNCS & THE MLK DAY OF SERVICE

• CNCS leads the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a National Day of Service. In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a "day on, not a day off". Working with the King Center, other federal agencies, nonprofit and community groups, faith-based organizations, schools and businesses nationwide, CNCS helps Americans turn the MLK Day into a national day of service to make an impact in their communities.
• To honor Dr. King's legacy, CNCS encourages all of us to use the power of service to address community needs and strengthen our nation on the MLK Day of Service. Dr. King worked tirelessly for increased opportunity for all Americans. Now more than ever we need to create and support opportunities for Americans to strengthen their own and each other's economic security. Service is a powerful way for citizens, nonprofits, the private sector and government to work together to meet critical needs and advance King's dream of opportunity for all.
• Americans across the country will honor Dr. King by Serving on the MLK Day. The 2012 MLK Day of Service will include thousands of projects spread across all 50 states. Families, students, congregations, employees, and individuals of all ages and backgrounds will come together to celebrate MLK Day by making a difference in their communities. Projects will include delivering meals, refurbishing schools and community centers, collecting food and clothing, signing up mentors, supporting veterans and military families, promoting nonviolence, and more, with many projects starting on King Day and lasting throughout the year.
• MLK Day of Service Engages Nonprofits, Faith-Based Groups and Companies Nationwide Each year, thousands of organizations across the country lead or participate in MLK Day of Service projects. For nonprofit and community groups, participating in MLK Day is an opportunity to bring in new volunteers, partners, and funders that can provide resources to support their work throughout the year.
  
  Six national organizations play a leadership role in the MLK Day of Service, supported by grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Those organizations are The Cesar Chavez Foundation, Points of Light, HOPE worldwide, Service for Peace, the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, and Youth Service America. More than 30 other organizations, including AARP, American Red Cross, America's Promise, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Habitat for Humanity and United Way of America are strategic partners.
  
  A growing number of major U.S. companies are investing money, supplies, and employee time to make a difference in their communities by supporting MLK Day of Service. Businesses see MLK Day as an important way to give back to the community, connect with customers, increase employee morale, and demonstrate corporate social responsibility.
• CNCS programs help put Americans on pathways to economic opportunity, on MLK Day and throughout the year. Through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, the Social Innovation Fund, and other programs, CNCS and the organizations and volunteers it supports are helping families find permanent housing, providing financial education and job readiness supports, and mentoring students so they can succeed in school and life. Along with putting individuals and families on the pathway to economic opportunity, national service connects volunteers of all ages with hands-on opportunities to supplement their skills and new entryways to the workforce.
• Service is a powerful force to bridge economic and social divides. By working together to address unmet needs, service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King's vision of a "Beloved Community." The MLK Day of Service shines a spotlight on service as a powerful force to bridge economic and social divides – today and throughout the year.

MLK DAY OF SERVICE AND CNCS FOCUS AREAS

DISASTER SERVICES

Service is critical to speed relief and rebuild communities and economies struck by natural disaster.

• Each year, natural disasters put millions of homes and lives at risk, devastating families, communities and local economies.
• On the MLK Day of Service and throughout the year, Americans are using the power of service to conduct community preparedness trainings and establish emergency response systems. In communities struck by floods, winter storms and wildfires, volunteers are conducting damage assessments, making home repairs, removing debris and connecting families to social services.
• When we increase community readiness to respond to disasters and speed recovery to those affected, we rebuild lives and create more resilient communities.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

Service is a powerful force to put families on the path to financial stability and economic opportunity.

• At a time of growing need, service and volunteering create opportunities for Americans to strengthen their own and each other's economic security.
• On the MLK Day of Service and throughout the year, Americans are using the power of service to help families access permanent housing, learn how to manage their finances, and gain steady employment. At the same time, those who serve are building their skills and creating new entryways to the workforce.
• When we increase access to safe, affordable housing, financial education and job training, we equip individuals with the skills they need to be self-sufficient and put families on the path to economic opportunity.

EDUCATION

Education is a pathway to economic opportunity.

• Education is a pathway to economic opportunity, leading to family-sustaining careers and a stronger economy.
• On the MLK Day of Service and throughout the year, Americans are using the power of service to refurbish schools and provide students with the one-on-one attention they need to feel valued and empowered to succeed in school.
• When we address education inequities in our communities, we create pathways to economic opportunity by equipping students with the life, academic and workforce skills they need to go to college, be self-sufficient and attain family-sustaining careers.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

The health of our economy relies in large part on the health of our environment.

• On the MLK Day of Service and throughout the year, Americans are using the power of service to weatherize and improve the energy efficiency of homes, clean waterways and trails, and conduct trainings to prepare people for green jobs.
• When we protect the environment and address environmental challenges in our communities, we create pathways to economic opportunity by improving the physical health of families who live there and encouraging new community investments and the jobs that come with them.

HEALTHY FUTURES

Health is the starting place to lead a full, productive life.

• Fit bodies and strong minds are critical to healthy development that begins in childhood and lasts through our senior years. Balanced nutrition, physical activity and preventative care are key to leading full, productive lives.
• On the MLK Day of Service and throughout the year, Americans are using the power of service to teach youth about nutrition, exercise and healthy habits; help families access preventive services; and assist seniors with daily wellness needs such as meals and transportation to medical appointments.
• When we work with young people to foster healthy habits, we create pathways to economic opportunity by building strong minds and bodies, and a population that is less prone to disease, has higher academic achievement, and greater independence through our senior years.

VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES

As our troops return home from war, it's our duty to put military veterans and their families on the pathway to economic opportunity.

• Servicemen and women make tremendous sacrifices to protect our country. Yet, our nation's troops, veterans, and military families face enormous economic and social challenges.
• On the MLK Day of Service and throughout the year, Americans are using the power of service to connect veterans and military families to jobs and training, educational tools, housing and health care. At the same time, veterans are continuing their service by applying their skills and experience toward critical assignments in disaster relief, education and more.
• When we support and engage our veterans, we create pathways to economic opportunity by easing their transition into civilian life and applying their leadership and skills to tackle serious challenges here at home.