Join Jewish Volunteer Connection (JVC) in a National Day of Service and Learning that transforms Dr. King’s life and teachings into community action and learning. Make MLK Day a day “on”, not a day “off.”
“We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Click below to choose from a wide range of MLK Day of Service and Learning volunteer opportunities.
JVC’s MLK Day of Service and Learning Signature Site
Volunteer Throughout the Community
MLK Day Project To Go Kits
JVC’s MLK Day of Service and Learning Signature Site
Monday, January 16
Beth El Congregation
(8101 Park Heights Avenue, Pikesville, 21208)
Signature Program
Two shifts running from: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (join wait list below) and 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. (join wait list below) No walk in registrations will be accepted.
Participants will engage in a round-robin of activities resulting in the creation of a Kindness Kit – a package with items frequently requested by individuals experiencing homelessness that can be distributed from a car by each participating volunteer. At each activity session, participants will learn from skilled facilitators about why an item is needed and will begin to unpack the complexity of moving from homelessness to economic stability.
Note: This structured program is great for adults, and families or groups with elementary school-aged children and older.
Teen Leadership Opportunity
Open to 10th, 11th, and 12th graders
Two shifts running from: 9:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. and 12:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Calling teen leaders! Take on a special role in our MLK Day Signature Site (described above) as a group leader. You will help to facilitate a meaningful experience for a group of up to 20 participants- helping them get to know each other, process what they are learning, and move from place to place following the event schedule. This opportunity is right for you if you love to be in front of a group, build community, and you have a passion for service. In partnership with 4Front, teen group leaders must watch virtual training, as well as reflection and lunch day-of event. Teen group leaders will earn 4-7 service learning hours for their participation in this role depending on which shift is scheduled.
Note: Volunteers MUST view a brief virtual training video before arriving on Monday.
Register Here
PJ Library Programming
For families with young children: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Bring your pre-school age children to read a PJ Library story, participate in a service project, learn about what makes us different and the same, and enjoy a kosher, nut-free snack.
Register Here
Keeping in mind the health and safety of our guests and staff members, Jewish Volunteer Connection (JVC) will continue to monitor the safety practices and protocols, recommended by the venue, local, state and CDC guidelines at the time of the event. All guests attending events, meetings and programs are highly encouraged to be fully vaccinated, wear masks when not actively eating or drinking, and to practice social distance. If you or anyone in your family is not feeling well, please refrain from attending. Precautions are subject to change to be in line with health guidelines and local Covid-19 data.
Learn and Volunteer Throughout the Community
Serve Lunch
Our Daily Bread
Sunday, January 15 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
725 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202
Volunteers are needed to serve food, clean tables, plate food, and sort donations at Our Daily Bread. Our Daily Bread provides legal services, lunch, healthcare services, case management, and employment assistance to adults in need. A parking lot is available for volunteers.
Volunteer Capacity: 12 – This opportunity is at full capacity. Join wait list below.
Volunteer Restrictions: Volunteers must be at least 14 years old; volunteers under 14 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. All volunteers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination with them when volunteering. Masks must be worn at all times. Volunteers should bring/wear a hat if they would rather not wear a hairnet.
MLK Day Film Screening
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
Sunday, January 15 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
7401 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, 21208
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation and Jews United for Justice are partnering with other congregations and organizations in the Baltimore area for their 6th annual movie screening, panel, and talkback. This year’s event will feature the film “On These Grounds,” an award-winning documentary that explores the school-to-prison pipeline by focusing on an explosive video of a white school resource officer in South Carolina throwing a Black teenager from her school desk. The movie explores what role race played in the incident, examining the disparate media coverage of the incident and the origins of criminalizing children’s behavior in school. This event is free. Babysitting will be available. Light refreshments will be served.
Please direct questions to Jacob Mishook, jacobmishook@gmail.com.
Register Here
Prepare To-Go Breakfasts
Manna House, Inc.
Monday, January 16 | 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
435 E. 25th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
Volunteers are needed to prepare ‘’to-go’’ food containers, assemble breakfast bags with food and cutlery, serve coffee, hand out bags to clients, and manage the tally sheet to track clients. A parking lot is available for volunteers. Manna House is a day program for men, women, and children in Baltimore City. They provide meals, shower facilities, case management services and more to those experiencing homelessness.
Volunteer Capacity: 4 – This opportunity is at full capacity. Join the wait list below.
Volunteer Restrictions: Volunteers must be at least 16 years old; volunteers between 16-18 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and complete permission form. Volunteers 18 and older do not need parent/guardian supervision. Masks must be worn at all times and volunteers’ temperature will be taken upon entry.
Clean Up Parks
The 6th Branch
Monday, January 16 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
1100 E. North Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202
Volunteers are needed to help with park and lot clean up, tree planting, and other environmental projects. The 6th Branch uses leadership and organizational skills from the military to initiate community service projects in Baltimore City. Please note that this opportunity is fully outdoors, and volunteers should dress accordingly. Street parking is available for volunteers.
Volunteer Restrictions: All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. All volunteers must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. All volunteers must wear closed-toed shoes, and should bring a refillable water bottle and clothes they do not mind getting dirty.
Register Here
Serve Lunch
Our Daily Bread
Monday, January 16 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
725 Fallsway Baltimore, MD 21202
Volunteers are needed to serve food, clean tables, plate food, and sort donations at Our Daily Bread. Our Daily Bread provides legal services, lunch, healthcare services, case management, and employment assistance to adults in need. A parking lot is available for volunteers.
Volunteer Capacity: 12 – This opportunity is at full capacity. Join the wait list below.
Volunteer Restrictions: Volunteers must be at least 14 years old; volunteers under 14 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. All volunteers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination with them when volunteering. Masks must be worn at all times. Volunteers should bring/wear a hat if they would rather not wear a hairnet.
Help with Art Projects
Art With a Heart
Monday, January 16 | 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
3000 Falls Road Mill No. 1, Baltimore, MD 21211
Volunteers are needed to help with art-related community service projects at Art with a Heart. Art with a Heart provides the community with art classes, projects, and other programs to create equitable access to visual arts. Projects including painting, ceramics, mosaics, crafts, sorting/organizing, and more. A parking lot and street parking is available for volunteers.
Volunteer Capacity: 15 – This opportunity is at full capacity. Join the wait list below.
Volunteer Restrictions: Volunteers must be at least 12 years old; volunteers under 12 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. All volunteers must wear closed-toed shoes and be able to manipulate/hold small objects such as pencils, paint brushes, etc. Masks are optional for this project.
Dinner Meal Service
The Baltimore Station-West Street
Monday, January 16 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
(140 W. West Street, Baltimore, MD 21230)
Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve a meal to the men at The Baltimore Station (main location). The Baltimore Station is an innovative therapeutic residential treatment center program supporting veterans and others who are transitioning through the cycle of poverty, addiction, and homelessness to self-sufficiency. Street parking is available for volunteers. Volunteers must arrive at 5:00 p.m. to set up. Meal service begins promptly at 6:00 p.m.
Volunteer Capacity: 8 – This opportunity is now at full capacity. Join the wait list below.
Volunteer Restrictions: Volunteers must be at least 10 years old; volunteers between 10 and 17 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Volunteers 17 and older do not need parent/guardian supervision. All volunteers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Masks must be worn at all times.
MLK Day Project To Go Kits
Participate in JVC’s MLK Day of Service and Learning right from your own home, on the go or gather safely with friends and family to make a difference for others.
Help assemble Kindness Kits: Kindness kits are bags containing travel sized toiletries, snacks, water, and socks—items frequently needed by individuals experiencing homelessness. Assemble your kindness kits and hand them out when you come across someone who could use these items, or return the completed kits to JVC for donation.
Learn More and Sign Up
Thank you to our 2023 MLK Days of Service and Learning Sponsors and Partners!
The Macks Center for Jewish Connections supports Jewish journeys for Baltimoreans through Jewish living, learning, and service. By combining the work of Jewish Volunteer Connection (JVC) with the family engagement and inclusion agendas of the Macks Center for Jewish Education, we are creating experiences to help all people across our community build meaningful connections to Jewish life.
