Taking Action in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

The Y has always been a community caring for community, and we are proud to have a community of committed and inspiring leaders from all walks of life leading us forward.  

What would later become the origins of Black History Month originated at a Chicago Y. Malcolm X, Andrew Young, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. all sought safe haven at the Y. A young MLK Jr. also learned to swim in a Y pool – one of the few accessible to him as a person of color — and in his final days, the Y supported his Poor People’s Campaign. Through this campaign, Dr. King demanded that the needs of all underserved peoples be met. The campaign was monumentally effective because it was led and organized by and for those most impacted by societal inequities.  

The end of segregation did not immediately change much on the ground in community. Dr. King saw that much needed to be done to realize the dream of an integrated future for all residents and build equitable systems and policies benefiting all communities. His Poor People’s Campaign was a reaction to the need for equitable access to resources and opportunity. Through collective organizing, the community was able to secure employment and housing, and his Poor People’s Campaign centered equitable access to nutritious food. Campaign efforts were pivotal in establishing food stamps (SNAP EBT) and school lunches, which were inconceivable at the time, and today are a reminder of a system that needs to evolve and grow to meet escalating human need. As a civil rights leader ahead of his time, Dr. King had the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day.

A multicultural coalition was required to make this campaign successful, and our collective community action remains the cornerstone of our continued progress. This MLK Day, we pay homage to these efforts through our collective action to food insecurity.  We invite each of you to join us in this critical work. Our MLK activities by Y location can be found here. Each activity centers, serves, and is facilitated by community from a place of cultural humility, appreciation, and competency. Join us to learn and get involved in advancing the work of Dr. King.  

On January 20, 2025, and all year long, the legacy of Dr. King and the impact of his campaign live on through our collective acts of mutual aid. 

In community and gratitude, 
Loria Yeadon 
President & CEO 

P.S. 
Want to get involved? The Y is taking action year-round, and we would love your help. Join the collective effort by volunteering for available opportunities to give back.