In honor of Dr. King’s birthday, volunteers will gather Monday from 8:30-12:30 on historic Glass Street at the East Chattanooga Recreation Center and fan out into the neighborhoods of East Chattanooga, the focal zone for this year’s list of service projects. This year, Glass House Collective is partnering with the city of Chattanooga’s Office of Multicultural Affairs to maximize efforts that directly impact the neighborhood.
"It’s been great to serve on the organizing committee with the city of Chattanooga’s OMA as we directly connect groups around our community with the help they need to complete the projects that matter most to them,” said Nikki Lewis, community coordinator for Glass House Collective. “At GHC we do our best to listen to what our neighbors care the most about, and Dr. King cared about people taking initiative to create wholistic communities; we’re following his lead together.”
Example projects for the day include: landscaping, clearing debris, trail maintenance, painting, and deep cleaning. Volunteers will also help make improvements at four Youth & Family Development Centers - East Chattanooga, Eastdale, Brainerd, and Carver - which increase quality of life for families through education, recreation, social services, leadership, and career development.
The day of service includes not only beautification projects but also education and outreach. This year, volunteers will be making rounds at various apartments across Chattanooga to equip residents with info on their rights under fair housing law.
“King advocated for equality for all in every aspect of life, and that includes the right of everyone to
safe and equal housing,” said James McKissic, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. “Focusing our efforts on both service and education this MLK Day is a great way to honor Dr. King’s message.”
The 1968 Fair Housing Act protects citizens from discrimination when they are renting, buying, looking for a house or acquiring a mortgage. It became law shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and family status.
“Dr. King encouraged all citizens to work together to make the world a better place and believed that we all can and should reach our potential,” said Mr. McKissic. “It’s important now, more than ever, that we start the new year on a positive note, by giving back to our Chattanooga neighborhoods - and share Dr. King’s legacy with our youth so that they may develop a habit of helping others.”
Local sponsors include Blue Cross Blue Shield Community Trust, SunTrust, United Way Center
for Nonprofits and Scenic Cities Beautiful.
Participants may meet up at 8:30 a.m. Monday at East Chattanooga Youth and Family Center to sign up for projects. The public may share on Facebook how they will be volunteering Monday.