Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2020 with the Y

CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR ON JANUARY 20, 2020

To the Y Community,

Before he won the Nobel Peace Prize, delivered his world-changing “I Have a Dream” speech, and marched as a civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. was just another kid at the Y.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a time I take each year to reflect on the sacrifices made by Dr. King and many others for the progress, freedoms, and opportunities we enjoy in our country and in our world and I’m inspired to press on and take even bolder steps for peace, justice, and equity for all.

In times of uncertainty, I turn to Dr. King’s words from his 1964 Nobel Prize acceptance speech, which reverberates through the work we do at the YMCA of Greater Seattle.

 “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down men other-centered can build up.”

Also, he refused “to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism.” He believed, “that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.”

Each day at the Y, we’re working together to build an equitable community that is free from bias and hate, a future where all youth can achieve their full potential in mind, body, and spirit, and a society where your zip code does not dictate your life expectancy.  

May we seize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day as an opportunity to reaffirm the values of Dr. King, press on in love for our community to triumph over evil and hate, and re-commit ourselves to the critical work necessary to achieve peace, justice, and equity for all.

 

With gratitude,

 

Loria B. Yeadon

President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Seattle

 

Join us for a MLK Day March & Rally:

We will host coffee and refreshments from 7:00-10:30 am at the Meredith Mathews YMCA where we will have a limited number of Black Lives Matter hoodies and t-shirts as well as anti-racism signage available.

Then, we will join our community at Garfield High School for the following events:

• 8:30-11:30 am - Opportunity Fair
• 9:30-10:50 am - Workshops
• 11:00 am - Meet us at Garfield High School (400 23rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98122) for a pre-march rally 
• 12:30 pm - MLK march through downtown begins 

Dr. King Jr. was once just another kid at the Y. 

In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we remember the lasting impact he had as a civil rights leader. As we remember him, we know that the work is not done.  "We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream," Martin Luther King, Jr. said in his immortal speech. The Y is working to combat racism still present in our society and create programs and opportunities that help all people thrive. 

At the YMCA of Greater Seattle, we are motivated to continue growing programs that are dedicated to empowering all people to reach their full potential. 

Our Board of Directors recently voted to update our equity statement to highlight the Y's priorities: 

The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner.

It is with this lens that we guide the programming that expands opportunities for all people, specifically marginalized communities. Through African American Females' Weekend and African American Males' Weekend at Camp Colman, celebrating heritage months, inclusion specialists at Camp Colman and Orkila, and accessible membership for all, we are working to engage, empower and inspire individuals. 

 

Other MLK Events Happening This Weekend

 

Saturday, January 18, 2020

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Bellevue Family YMCA

Join the Bellevue YMCA for a day of service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. We will be packing snack bags for participants in our Accelerator Program that serves teens and young adults experiencing homelessness. The snack bags will be given to participants who are living in a transitional home or participating in one of programs with Accelerator to support them as they go to school, look for jobs, etc. For more information or to sign up, contact Heather Siegel-Sawma at hsiegelsawma@seattleymca.org.

 

Monday, January 20, 2020

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Auburn Valley YMCA

Join the Auburn Valley YMCA community for a viewing and community discussion of the acclaimed film by Ava Duvernay 13th. The film is an exploration of the history of racial inequity in the United States, focusing on the fact that our nation’s prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans. The 13th honors Dr. King's intention to speak truth to power, and shed light on the most vulnerable within society. For more information, call (253) 833-2770.

 

Monday, January 20, 2020

10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Downtown Seattle YMCA

Join the Downtown Seattle & Accelerator YMCA community for a viewing and community discussion of the acclaimed film by Ava Duvernay 13th. The film is an exploration of the history of racial inequity in the United States, focusing on the fact that our nation’s prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans. The 13th honors Dr. King's intention to speak truth to power, and shed light on the most vulnerable within society. Participants are also invited to stay to make posters and join the MLK Jr. Day March. For more information, call (206) 382-5010.

 

Monday, January 20, 2020

11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Coal Creek Family YMCA

Backpack Meal Packing in the lobby. For more information, please contact Ashley Hopper at ahopper@seattleymca.org.

 

Monday, January 20, 2020

11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Dale Turner Family YMCA

Join the Dale Turner Family YMCA community for a viewing and community discussion of the acclaimed film by Ava Duvernay 13th. The film is an exploration of the history of racial inequity in the United States, focusing on the fact that our nation’s prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans. The 13th honors Dr. King's intention to speak truth to power, and shed light on the most vulnerable within society. For more information, call (206) 363-0446.

 

Monday, January 20, 2020

6:00 pm – 9:00pm

Kent YMCA

Join the Kent YMCA community for a viewing and community discussion of the acclaimed film by Ava Duvernay 13^th led by Kent Black Action Commission. The film is an exploration of the history of racial inequity in the United States, focusing on the fact that our nation’s prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans. The 13th honors Dr. King's intention to speak truth to power, and shed light on the most vulnerable within society. For more information, call (206) 382-5010.

 

Monday, January 20, 2020

10:30 am – 12:30 pm or 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Matt Griffin YMCA

Join the Matt Griffin YMCA community for a viewing and community discussion of the acclaimed film by Ava Duvernay 13th. The film is an exploration of the history of racial inequity in the United States, focusing on the fact that our nation’s prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans. The 13th honors Dr. King's intention to speak truth to power, and shed light on the most vulnerable within society. For more information, call (206) 244-5880.

 

Monday, January 20, 2020

7:30 am – 2:00 pm

Meredith Mathews East Madison YMCA

Staff and volunteers will host the community for refreshments and coffee prior to the MLK Jr. Day March, participants may pick up signs and Black Lives Matter t-shirts and hoodies (a limited quantity are available). Then join the community at Garfield High School for the day’s events. For full details about the march, please see: https://www.seattlemlkcoalition.org/. For more information, please contact Katoya Palmer at kpalmer@seattleymca.org.

 

Monday, January 20, 2020

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Northshore YMCA

Join members and staff as we participate in the Seattle MLK Jr Coalition March in downtown Seattle. Transportation will be provided for those who register in advance. The bus will leave the Northshore YMCA at 9am and will return after the culmination of the march. For full details about the march, please see: https://www.seattlemlkcoalition.org/. For more information and to register, contact Jerbarco Arnold at jarnold@seattleymca.org.

 

Friday, January 10, 2020 – Monday, January 20, 2020

Sammamish Community YMCA

Join us in supporting the Adra P Berry Food Bank in Preston. Adra was well known in the community for her civic work and this food bank was created in her honor. Please join us in addressing hunger in the community by stocking the food bank's shelves. See member services for a list of much needed food items. Thank you for joining us in supporting families in need! For more information or to sign up, contact Cindy O’Sullivan at cosullivan@seattleymca.org.

 

Monday, January 20, 2020

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Snoqualmie Valley YMCA

Looking for something to do with the family on Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Participate in our community meal event. We are looking for volunteers to contribute food for a potluck lunch. We also need volunteers to set up, serve and tear down the lunch event. For more information or to sign up, contact Deborah Montelaro at dmontelaro@seattleymca.org.

 

Monday, January 20, 2020 – Saturday, February 29, 2020

University Family YMCA

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day the University Family YMCA will host a food drive to support the food pantry at Mercy Magnuson Place. With the opening of Mercy Magnuson Place, there are now 300+ families living in Magnuson Park who need access to affordable, nutritious food. In our first month, we served over 150 unique families in this neighborhood and the demand will only grow. Join us in helping with this impactful work to ensure all youth and families have nutritious food on a weekly basis. Please make donations of non-perishable foods in the labeled bin in the branch lobby. For more information, contact Hillary Caryl at hcaryl@seattleymca.org.

 

Monday, January 20, 2020

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

West Seattle YMCA of Greater Seattle

Join West Seattle Fauntleroy YMCA Board Members for our 2020 MLK Jr. Day of Service. We’ll be pulling weeds, cleaning up trash in the neighborhood, and more! This Day of Service is a fun way for families, friends, and coworkers to join together to take care of our environment, show community support, and keep the Fauntleroy Triangle a clean and beautiful place to live, work, and visit. We look forward to your support of this great community event. Please sign up here: https://seattleymca.volunteermatters.org/project-catalog/270