Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day) holds immense significance as it commemorates the life and legacy of one of the most influential figures in the American civil rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to advocating for racial equality, justice, and the end of racial segregation. 

In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, which transformed MLK Day into a national day dedicated to volunteer service. This dedicated day serves as a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to contribute to the betterment of society and reinforces the principles of community, compassion and cooperation through volunteerism.  

Celebrating this national day of service is so important to us because we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our volunteers. They are our true heroes – they are the foundation of our service. Every day, our volunteers are on the frontlines–saving and changing lives. They guide texters from moments of crisis to a state of calm, providing nonjudgmental support and encouraging them to utilize their own strengths and coping mechanisms. 89% of our volunteers attest that serving as Crisis Counselors has significantly improved their active listening abilities. Our thorough virtual training program, spanning 30 hours, equips volunteers with essential skills like empathy, active listening, collaborative problem-solving and safety planning. 

To celebrate MLK Day’s National Day of Service, Dr. Shairi Turner, our Chief Health Officer and Nuria Santamaria Wolfe, our Senior Vice President of Volunteer Experience, joined forces to explore the benefits of volunteerism and its impact on others as well as on personal wellbeing. Check out the special recording here. 

If you’re interested in serving and helping those in need, join our volunteer community today!