|  MLK
Day 2004 Celebration
Sojourners Care Network
Vinton County, Ohio
Building a “Beloved Community”
Sojourners Care Network is an asset-based nonprofit youth development
organization serving Appalachian Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
Founded in early 1999 by two brothers, Marcus and Richard Games,
Sojourners fosters positive development opportunities for the
children and adolescents living in the most distressed counties
of Appalachia.
Central to Sojourners' work is the belief that
communities and neighborhoods contribute to—and have a stake
in—the healthy development of their young people. Sojourners
is committed to providing local, community-driven services including
foster care, employment training, GED support, mentoring, leadership
education, and service-learning opportunities.
“Day On, not a Day Off” was
a special project to commemorate the life of Martin Luther King,
Jr. It brought together Sojourners Care Network staff and family
members, young people, and community volunteers to celebrate Dr.
King through community service. Its goal was to share with the
Vinton County community the importance of community-based service
learning and to honor Dr. King’s vision and promise of the
“Beloved Community.”
A Dream, a Deli, and Lots of Volunteers
The Martin Luther King Day Celebration consisted of four projects.
- Staff and volunteers of Sojourners Care Network
put on Dream Camp, a day camp for families who needed a place
for their young children to go on their day off from school.
This was open to any Vinton County child in kindergarten through
6th grade.
- A Diversity Deli served free lunch to 250 people
in Vinton County, including MLK Day 2004 staff and volunteers
and Dream Camp attendees. The Diversity Deli introduced foods
from different parts of the world to community members who may
not have otherwise experienced international cuisines. Diversity
Deli volunteers dressed in costumes appropriate to the countries
of origin of the dishes served, which added to the festivities
and served as an extra educational component for the children.
- A team of volunteers designed and built flower
boxes for the four corners of the main intersection in the town
of McArthur, the county seat.
- With the help of YouthBuild of Southeastern
Ohio and community members, a gazebo was built and donated to
the Vinton County Courthouse, in honor of MLK Day 2004. As a
culminating event, everyone involved in the day of service,
including young people from the Dream Camp, marched to the Vinton
County Courthouse for a Ceremony of Reflection and the dedication
of the new gazebo.
Approximately 45 children in kindergarten through
6th grade took part in Dream Camp. Another 35 young people, ages
12 to 24, were involved as volunteers. These young people were
members and participants in community programs, including youth
in the Sojourners Foster Care Program, YouthBuild of Southeastern
Ohio, and Sojourners Mentoring Program, as well as members of
the local AmeriCorps program, called the Appalachian MentorCorps.
Adults involved were comprised of Sojourners Care Network staff
and their families, community members, the county commissioner,
and members of partnering organizations.
Celebrating a Civil Rights Leader
This activity was important because Vinton County had never officially
celebrated the contributions of Dr. King and his fight for civil
rights for all Americans. The project brought awareness of Dr.
King’s contributions, as well as an increased understanding
of the need to build tolerance for diversity. The project was
so successful that Sojourners Care Network plans to make the MLK
Day Celebration an annual event, repeating the Dream Camp and
Diversity Deli, but adding new service projects to help the town
of McArthur and Vinton County.
Partners in Their Own Development
At Sojourners Care Network, young people are viewed as partners
in their own development. For MLK Day 2004, young people both
volunteered for and attended the day’s activities. Members
of YouthBuild of Southeastern Ohio built the gazebo and flower
boxes that were part of the day’s events. Young people helped
to plan Dream Camp activities as well as the gazebo project. Two
young people currently serve on the Sojourners Care Network Board
of Directors, the group that approved the funding for this project.
MLK Day 2004 planners made decisions as a team.
The planning committee consisted of different program staff members
and received input from young people in Sojourners’ many
programs throughout the planning process. Members of the Appalachian
MentorCorps had leadership roles from the very beginning of planning
and were in charge of all the activities of the Dream Camp. Other
young people were involved in planning the gazebo and flower box
construction projects.
What Works
A cause, compassion, commitment, communication, and celebration!
Family members talked about how much fun the young people had.
Community members offered compliments on the gazebo and flower
box projects. All of the young people who took part in the MLK
Day 2004 Celebration projects were proud of their involvement
and accomplishments!
There was great media coverage in local media
outlets. Sojourners Care Network was recognized for service by
the county commissioners. The continued use of the gazebo for
community events has been a sign of appreciation. The Diversity
Deli’s free lunch was considered a plus by the citizens
of Vinton County, one of the most economically distressed counties
in Ohio. Finally, through media coverage and event activities,
there was an increase in the community’s knowledge of the
contributions of Dr. King and the importance of celebrating diversity.
McArthur, Ohio, benefited because people’s minds were opened
to the importance of tolerance and acceptance.
Spread the Word
The publicity from local newspapers and radio stations and continued
community support all bring recognition to the contributions made
by young people and by Sojourners Care Network.
Funding
The MLK Day 2004 Celebration was sponsored by major funding from
Learn and Serve America and private donations from the Vinton
County community.
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