Martin Luther King Jr. Day is often seen as an opportunity to volunteer or give back to our communities. Below, you’ll find a list of virtual and in-person service activities happening around the country on Monday, January 15.
Please note: As of writing, dangerously low temperatures are predicted for Monday, January 15, with a possible low of -7 degrees. Please take appropriate precautions for your health and safety when considering Day of Service opportunities.
Service Opportunities
My Block, My Hood, My City | MLK Day of Service
1/15/24, 10:00AM
2111 S Hamlin Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
Join the M3 team for a day of service, reflection, and preparing the M3 March on Madison to end gun violence. Participants will be creating picket signs, making phone calls for support, and other actions needed to support this cause.
UCAN | A Day of Service and Remembrance
1/15/24, 11AM – 2PM
3605 W. Fillmore Street, Chicago, 60624
*Lunch will be served
Make comfort gifts with UCAN staff and residents. UCAN organized the MLK Day of Service and Remembrance as a day of service and reflection, and to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy by serving others and creating change in their community. Inspired by his willingness to sacrifice, serve, and encourage solidarity UCAN stands together with our staff, family members, friends, and participants to break down the barriers to injustice and build a stronger foundation for peace.
University of Chicago | King Day of Service
1/15/24, 9AM – 2PM
4445 S. Drexel Blvd. Chicago, 60653
Join University of Chicago’s Sixth Annual King Day of Service, which brings together residents, non-profits, and institutions to support local efforts in the community. This year will focus on beautification and outreach projects at local schools and other community sites.
For those who need it, the UCSC and our campus partners are providing limited transportation service between both the Hyde Park and downtown campuses and the event kick-off location at King High School. Not able to participate in person? Send an email and U Chicago can help you find something asynchronous or remote that can still make a big impact!
Gary Comer Youth Center | MLK Day Brunch and Community Celebration
1/15/24, 11AM – 2PM, 7200 S. Ingleside Ave., Chicago, 60619
The day will be one of nurturing, networking, and, most importantly, recognizing the work community partners have done to help ensure a better future for youth. During this special community celebration, you can look forward to a delicious meal prepared by Chef Jon & the GCYC culinary team as well as an impressive slate of speakers and featured performers.
Hyde Park Arts Center | MLK Day 2024: Yesterdays, Todays, and Tomorrows
1/15/24, 11AM – 3PM, 5020 S. Cornel Ave., Chicago, 60615
Come explore the ways that history, leadership, and creativity influence our present days, futures, and beyond. From folklore, to music, and conversations rooted in afro-futurism, we honor the many ways in which Dr. King’s legacy has influenced culture through time.
Chicago Cares | Civic Engagement Training
1/15/24, 10AM – 1PM, VIRTUAL
In the spirit of Dr. King’s community centered approach to coalition building, this training transforms service journeys into civic action. By attending this training, volunteers will be empowered with the skills and knowledge needed to lead civically in 2024 and to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work here in Chicago.
Historic Pullman Empowerment Organization | Intergenerational Conversation
1/15/23, 11AM – 4PM
Support Historic Pullman Empowerment Organization (HPEO) for their MLK Day Intergenerational Conversation, which will include activities such as trivia, an intergenerational panel with Q & A, and a guided conversation centering the civil rights movement and how to continue to make forward progress in our communities. This event gives volunteers and community members the opportunity to connect with one another, learn from each other’s lived experiences, and envision what deeper civic engagement can look like on both an individual and collective level.
Chicago Youth Programs | MLK Day Intergenerational Community Conversation with CYP
1/15/24, 2PM – 6PM, 5350 S. Prairie Ave., Chicago, 60615
Support Chicago Youth Programs (CYP) for their “MLK Day Intergenerational Community Conversation,” which will include activities such as MLK trivia, a panel of CYP staff and program graduates, and a guided conversation exploring the legacy of MLK and how we can continue to build off his work in our communities. This event gives volunteers and community members the opportunity to connect with one another, learn from each other’s lived experiences, and envision what deeper civic engagement can look like on both an individual and collective level.
Chicago History Museum | MLK Day Family Event
1/15/24, 10AM – 3PM, 1601 N. Clark, Chicago, 60614
*Museum admission is FREE for Illinois residents on 1/15/24
Celebrate the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during this his family-friendly day features musical performances, interactive activities, community organizations, and more!
Institute for Nonviolence Chicago | King: A Life
1/20/24, 9:30AM – 12PM, 1856 N Leclaire Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
Join us for a special celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Jonathan Eig, recently named a 2023 Chicagoan of the Year in the Arts by the Chicago Tribune and author of the 2023 bestselling biography, KING: A Life, a New York Times bestselling book and Amazon’s biography of the year.