Peoria Standard

PeoriaCorps, the city of Peoria’s six-month AmeriCorps-based personal and career development service program, will host a MLK Day of Service on Friday, January 19th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the 500-1200 blocks of South Western Avenue. The public is invited to participate in the community clean-up, held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy and in the AmeriCorps’ theme of “Building a Beloved Community.” Volunteers are invited to join City staff and meet at Fire Station Four, 509 S. Western Avenue at 11:00 AM to pick up supplies. Volunteers are also invited to a reception immediately following the clean-up, which will be held in the PeoriaCorps offices, 813 SW Washington Street. Members of PeoriaCorps identified this busy corridor in the City’s first district, which has seen recent investment, including a new Fire Station and infrastructure improvements.

PeoriaCorps will also collaborate with volunteers from the Carver Center, the Dream Center Peoria, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Peoria, Inc., to host mini clean-ups between January 16 – 24.  The mini clean-ups will last between 10-15 minutes, will engage 10-25 youth and staff volunteers at each organization, and will allow for PeoriaCorps members to share the message of volunteerism, community action, and community engagement with area youth. 

In his “Birth of a New Nation” speech, given on April 7, 1957, Dr. King stated, “Let us live together in peace and love in a Beloved Community.”  Each year State and National AmeriCorps programs embrace and celebrate the advancement of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s ideal of a “Beloved Community,” by participating in community-enriching service projects across the United States. 

 For additional information, contact PeoriaCorps at 309-494-8844.

Original source can be found here.