Take Action on MLK Holiday!

“And one of the great liabilities of life is that all too many people find themselves living amid a great period of social change, and yet they fail to develop the new attitudes, the new mental responses, that the new situation demands. They end up sleeping through a revolution.”

— Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution”

The commemoration of the MLK Day of Service is a call to act on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of social justice and equity. This day marks our opportunity to recommit as citizens by volunteering in service to others.

Reverend Dr. King’s passion for service and helping others is at the core of our work at the Volunteer Center. The global pandemic and events of 2020 and 2021 have opened our eyes wider to the inequity in our world. The time is now to act with swift urgency to deliver on the promise of Dr. King’s example and mission. While we are not getting together in person this year – like we have for many years in the past – there are still many ways that you can participate this year. 

While we are out in the community volunteering – please remember to wear a mask and maintain physical distancing so we can prevent the spread of COVID-19! 

Here are some opportunities for you to connect for good this week!

Homeless Garden Project: Monday, January 17th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Join the Homeless Garden Project for a workday on the farm in honor of Martin Luther King Jr National Day of Service. We’ll gather at 9:30 am, work till 2:30 pm. Get your hands into the dirt and help prepare for spring planting! We’ll break to share lunch together.

More information and sign up here

Beach Clean Up at Main Beach: Monday, January 17th from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Individual and group volunteers are welcome. The Volunteer Center provides all necessary supplies, and we encourage volunteers to bring their own reusable buckets, gloves, and water bottles, wear sturdy shoes, sun protection, and to dress in layers.

More information and sign up here

Resource Center for Nonviolence and NAACP Santa Cruz County Branch: Saturday, January 15th from 12pm – 4pm

Join local youth and community organizations for speakers, performances, music and Fun! 612 Ocean St, Santa Cruz

More information MLK Youth Day

For the past 7 years, the YouthSERVE program has sent cards to isolated seniors on Valentines day. You can join us this year by making you own cards and dropping them off at the Volunteer Center. 

More Information

CASA Info Session: 

All across Santa Cruz County, there are children who need your help.

Attending an info session can be the first step. Our hour-long, no commitment information sessions are your chance to learn more and find out if this is the right volunteer opportunity for you.

More information about CASA


Literacy Tutor Training, Tuesday January 18th from 2pm to 4pm (Zoom meeting)

As a tutor you will help students achieve success in their daily lives and deepen their community connections. Due to the pandemic were are currently working with students using tele-service tools. We give our volunteer tutors the resources they need to enrich the lives of their students. After you have completed your orientation we provide an extensive 12-hour training and on-going support with monthly workshops.

Register for the Literacy Tutor Training

Vaccine Clinic Support: 

We need Volunteers at Vaccine Clinics in Felton and Watsonville. Volunteers will primarily assist with registration and intake and help end the COVID pandemic!

Sign up to Volunteer in Watsonville

Sign up to Volunteer in Felton

Second Harvest Food Bank:

Since the onset of the pandemic, we have seen an enormous increase in demand at food distributions across the country. Online sign-ups (on the Second Harvest food bank calendar) only; walk-ins welcomed if space allows. Volunteers are needed for packing and sorting dry goods, and produce. Warehouse sort days are Monday – Thursday from 8am – 12pm (closed on Monday, January 17th). All of the food packed goes out to families in need.

Sign up for Second Harvest Food Bank 

Evergreen Cemetery, Every Friday from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm

We are an all-volunteer effort that has been steadily uncovering, restoring, improving, and adding to Evergreen Cemetery to make it a beautiful, safe and educational site. We aim to inspire our community to learn more about local history, appreciate the many cultures represented at Evergreen, and make use of the site.

Sign up to Volunteer at Evergreen Cemetery

Send a letter of support to a social justice organization: 

Join us from home to celebrate MLK Day by writing a letter of encouragement, support, or thanks to the organization or nonprofit of your choice. You are welcome to write to a social justice organization in Santa Cruz County or across the nation! This letter-writing campaign is inspired by Martin Luther King’s letter from Birmingham Jail.

More information about this letter writing campaign

You can also learn more about the MLK Day of Service on The King Center website.