Between January 11th and January 17th, 2024, Up2Us Sports staff, VISTAs and coaches across the country participated in AmeriCorps’ MLK Day of Service. In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service in recognition of Dr. King’s incredible legacy of service to all. Fittingly, they charged AmeriCorps with leading this effort. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.”

The Up2Us Coach and VISTA programs are funded by AmeriCorps, so it was only fitting that our terrific service members took this day of service, expanded it across several days, and dedicated it to Dr. King’s honor.

NATIONALLY

Nationally, the Up2Us VISTA team hosted a virtual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr Day on Thursday, January 11th by bringing together four community leaders across the United States to speak to the impact of sports. Panel Discussion Guests included Host Alex Penman (Up2Us Sports Board Member, Program Director: Youth Mentoring Partnership, Up2Us Coach Alumni), Michael Wood (Program Officer: AmeriCorps), Caroline Fascato (Executive Director: Soccer Unity Project), Donny Faalilu (Senior Vice President of Leadership and Community Outreach: After-School All-Stars) and Jacob Toups (Founder: Rainbow Labs, Up2Us VISTA Alumni).

Watch the recording on our YouTube Channel here.

Additionally, we participated in AmeriCorps’ and The King Center’s MLK Day X Chat on Friday, January 12th.

NEW ORLEANS

In New Orleans on Monday, January 15th, our staff and coaches sorted and restructured sports equipment for the middl school sports program at our program partner ReNEW Dolores T. Aaron Academy. They organized the locker room, loading dock area and assembled equipment carts.

PHILADELPHIA

On Monday, January 15th, our Philadelphia staff and coaches visited Kensington Soccer Club to sketch and paint a mural on the wall, inventory apparel, and sort donated equipment and books. The event was coordinated by Up2Us VISTA Leslie Quan, who serves with Kensington Soccer Club.

In addition to our coaches and KSC staff, we were also joined by a few KSC students.

CHICAGO

In Chicago on Monday, January 15th, Up2Us Sports staff and coaches, in partnership with Marillac House, unloaded pallets of food and set up the aisles of food at Marillac House’s food pantry. They also assisted with people/families who came to the pantry for food.

NEW YORK CITY

The Up2Us NYC Coach Team joined Girls on the Run NYC on Wednesday, January 17th to engage in a service project in honor of MLK Day. The team came together at the GOTR office and assisted GOTR with the setup and organization of gear, equipment, and program materials in preparation of their Spring 2024 season. These materials will be used at GOTR sites in NYC and will support in inspiring more girls throughout NYC to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively inspires running.

LOS ANGELES

In Los Angeles, Up2Us Coaches volunteered by packing and sorting food boxes. Coaches Kevin and Daniel served at LA Regional Food Bank locations on Tuesday, January 16th and Coach Britney spent time at Immanuel Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, January 17th.