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In 1994, Dr. George Storms, community leader, Edna Spencer, Previous Director of Diversity & Affirmative Action, Gordon Hargrove, previous Friendly House Executive Director, and Dorothy Hargrove, previous School Committee Member sought to initiate this city’s youth event in celebration of the legacy and commitment of Dr. King to improving the lives of young people through education. We will celebrate our 29th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Breakfast on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 9a.m. The program includes performances, noted distinctions and awards to our community and youth, university scholarships, and essay/poetry contest.
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The MLK Jr. Youth Breakfast Poetry Contest is open to 7th – 12th graders. Poems must be based and address the theme. This year’s theme is ‘Give Us the Ballot: My Civil Right –Voting’ Last year, Martin Luther King III and family called into action ‘there should be no MLK Jr. Day celebrations without meaningful voting rights legislation.” Arndrea Waters King said, “Voting is an essential part of our democracy’s infrastructure, and we cannot afford for it to crumble any further.” This year’s poetry entries will have a focus on, ‘the importance of our communities civil rights to voting.’ As we continue to embody the MLK Jr.’s courage and message to call our democracy into providing access to voting as an essential part of our civil rights, share with us what the above theme means to you through poetic expression. Poems cannot exceed 200 words Winners will be notified via email/mail. Winners must attend the celebration on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 9a.m. at Worcester State University; in-person, to be recognized and to receive their prize. To submit your poem to the contest before the deadline- Friday, December 9, 2022, you can either a) Email the Poetry Entry Form with your poem to dhargrove072@gmail.com and/or tnguyen89@worcester.edu b) Submit electronically
Community Service Award Nominations The Community Service Award is given to a youth, twenty years old or younger, whom exemplifies the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through distinguished community service and academic achievement. The award will be given at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Breakfast, Saturday, January 14, 2023. To nominate someone (choose one): a) Download the pdf form and submit to tnguyen89@worcester.edu or b) Submit the online form Please submit nominations by December 2, 2022. The award will be given at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Breakfast, Saturday, January 14, 2023.
Youth Service Award Nominations Each year the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Breakfast recognizes one individual who has demonstrated exceptional service to our cities’ youth with our “Youth Service Award.” This year, the Worcester State University Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Breakfast committee is seeking your assistance in identifying community leaders who has impacted our youth and who personifies Dr. King’s legacy of service, volunteerism and dedication, who might be considered for the 2023 Youth Service Award.
The selection committee will review nominations, and select the recipient who best exemplifies Dr. King’s six steps to nonviolent social change: 1) Gathering Information- What does this person know about his or her community? 2) Educate others- Is he or she helping others understand the problems that exist within the community? If so, are they building alliances to bring about positive social change? 3) Remain Committed- In the face of obstacles, is he or she still committed to their work? 4) Negotiate- Is he or she seeking common ground to solve problems within the community? 5) Take Direct Action- Has him or her taken action to address needed change? 6) Reconcile- Has he or she maintained a peaceful and constructive approach to bringing about change; even when they must agree to disagree? To nominate someone (choose one): a) Download the pdf form and submit to tnguyen89@worcester.edu or b) Submit the online form Please submit nominations by December 2, 2022. The award will be given at the 29th Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Breakfast, Saturday, January 14, 2023.
