Today, HRC announced that hundreds of HRC volunteers are stepping up to engage in over 25 community service events nationwide in a Day of Service. Their efforts will support local health and human services providers and organizations in cities from Philadelphia to Las Vegas. With the backing and involvement of HRC members and supporters across the country, hundreds of volunteers will take part in a variety of service projects -- from making dinner and assembling care packages for LGBTQ homeless youth to assisting with a donation drive for HIV & AIDS service organizations. HRC is joining dozens of other organizations in Monday’s day of action to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the racial justice and civil rights pioneer whose leadership and dedication continue to empower people in every community.

“Today, as we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we take the time to reflect on the work we must do to realize his vision of a fair, equal and just America,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “After a year that showed the need for community engagement, empowerment and action, we must double down on our efforts to live out Dr. King’s values and stand up against attacks on all members of our community. Today we honor Dr. King with service, and we keep his spirit and vision at the center of our fight for full equality each and every day.”

Across the country, volunteers will be working with organizations that reflect the diversity of the LGBTQ community. In Cleveland, HRC volunteers will partner with Cleveland Black Pride and the NAACP, among other organizations, to support LGBTQ homeless youth. In Los Angeles, volunteers will help assemble care kits for Bienestar, an organization that provides HIV testing, counseling and support for the LGBTQ community. And in St. Louis, volunteers will assist the International Institute of St. Louis in providing support for immigrants and refugees.

In total, HRC will partner with 40 health and human services providers across more than 25 cities and regions in living out the values of justice and equality that Dr. King so tirelessly championed. They are: Lost N Found Youth (Atlanta); BostonCares (Boston); Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP) and Lakeview Lutheran Church (Chicago); Lighthouse Youth and Family Services (Cincinnati); Cleveland Black Pride, NAACP, Beyond Identities Community Center and the Phillis Wheatley Association (Cleveland); The Family Place (Dallas); Hetrick-Martin Institute (New York); LGBTQ Home for Hope (Philadelphia); Montrose Grace Place, Bering Open Gate, Tony’s Place and the Montrose Counseling Center (Houston); Lifeworks Austin (Austin, Texas) Zebra Coalition (Orlando, Fla.); San Diego Youth Services (San Diego); YMCA Linwood (Kansas City, Mo.); Golden Rainbow (Las Vegas); Bienestar (Los Angeles); Launch Pad (Nashville, Tenn.); Greenwood Park Elementary School (Charlotte, N.C.); Laguna Food Pantry (Laguna Beach, Calif.); The LGBT Sanctuary Palm Springs (Palm Springs, Calif.); Sexual Minority Resource Center (SMYRC), HomePlate Youth Services, Triple Point and First Christian Church (Portland, Ore.); Rainbow Community Center and LGBTQ Youth Space (San Jose, Calif.); YouthCare (Seattle, Wash.); SunServe (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.); International Institute of St. Louis (St. Louis); Haven House (Raleigh, N.C.); Greater Twin Cities United Way (Minneapolis); Wanda Alston Foundation and Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) (Washington, D.C.); Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (San Antonio).

For more information about service projects around the country, visit hrc.org/MLKDayOfService.