Every day at LAYC is a day of service. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a special time for LAYC youth and staff, AmeriCorps members, parents, community volunteers, and national leaders to serve together with a focus on the social and economic justice issues that impact young people and families at LAYC and throughout our nation.

At our DC anchor site, the focus was on youth homelessness and family hunger. We were honored to be joined by U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro, Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) CEO Wendy Spencer, and 40 HUD and U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff who volunteered on this national day of service. Together, we prepared 200 street outreach hygiene kits for homeless youth, 500 bags of food for families, and applied a fresh coat of paint in our Teen Drop-In Center Wellness Room.

Two LAYC young women shared their stories of homelessness with Secretary Castro, while the young children of one happily played nearby. I invite you to read about one of these young women, Hunter Flores, featured this month in this newsletter. Another special moment was when Corps member Alonzo greeted Wendy Spencer on behalf of LAYC's over thirty AmeriCorps members. 

In Prince George's County, 280 middle and high school youth were joined by Maryland State Senator Victor Ramirez in a day of remembrance at Buck Lodge Middle School. Through a showcase of poetry, music, and dance, young people shared their dreams. Workshops focused on racial bullying, youth as agents of community change, and the use of visual and performance art as expressions of change. State Senator Ramirez spoke eloquently about the relevance of Dr. King's message to youth of color today.

Over the weekend I went to see Selma. I was moved by the stories of bravery, will, strategy, and heartache that led to the Voting Rights Act. I was moved by Dr. King's convictions, sacrifice, and extraordinary leadership. He and all those who participated in the Civil Rights Movement accomplished so much, yet there is much left to do. Martin Luther King Jr. Day serves as a moment for all of us at LAYC to reaffirm our commitment to fulfill his dream of social and economic justice.

A special thanks to HUD Secretary Castro, CNCS CEO Spencer, MD State Senator Ramirez, HUD Deputy Secretary Nani Coloretti, USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden, HUD Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations Moritsugu, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Gustavo Velasquez, VISTA Director Paul Monteiro, HUD White House Liaison Karen Andres, and all the USDA and HUD volunteers who joined us in celebration of Dr. King's legacy and in service to our community. And a very special thanks to World Vision for your donation.

We have many great events at the center later this month and into the spring. I hope to see you at one of these very soon.