WASHINGTON – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, is commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a remarkable leader whose tireless dedication to social justice continues to strengthen communities and impact the lives of millions of Americans.

"Today, we remember the legacy of a giant,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s single-minded dedication to justice and equality, even in the face of hatred and violence that would ultimately take his life, guides our path and those of all Americans who fight for fairness.

“Dr. King’s words speak to us every single day, reminding us that only through committed, sincere and continued effort can we create a better America for everyone.”

In honor of Dr. King’s legacy and with the support of its members and supporters across the country, HRC is partnering with health & human service providers to support LGBT homeless youth in communities across the country. For a meaningful service experience, hundreds of volunteers will take part in a range of activities: from organizing donation drives of clothing and toiletries; to assembling care packages of travel-sized hygiene items, school supplies, and winter accessories; to minor renovation projects.

Altogether, HRC is partnering with 28 health & human service providers across 20 cities and regions. They are Medical AIDS Outreach (Alabama), Bridges – a program of Teens Empowerment Awareness and Resolutions (Alabama), Lucie’s Place (Arkansas), Lost-n-Found Youth (Atlanta), Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (Charlotte), Time Out Youth (Charlotte), Broadway Youth Center (Chicago), Lighthouse Youth Services (Cincinnati), The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland (Cleveland), Movement in Black (Cleveland), the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland (Cleveland), GLBT Center of Colorado’s Rainbow Alley (Colorado), Kaleidoscope Youth Center (Columbus), the Montrose Grace Place (Houston), SunServe (Ft. Lauderdale), BAGLY (Massachusetts), Youth on Fire (Massachusetts), the Hetrick-Martin Institute (New York), Change Philly Today (Philadelphia), Rebel and Divine United Church of Christ (Phoenix), SMYRC (Portland), Q Center (Portland), Haven House (Raleigh), San Diego Youth Services (San Diego), Avenues for Homeless Youth (Twin Cities), The Bridge for Youth (Twin Cities), Sasha Bruce (Washington D.C.). HRC is inviting other organizations such as businesses, schools, and places of worship to support these efforts.

For more information about these service projects, please visit www.hrc.org/mlkdayofservice.