Page 22 - BusinessWest 2023 Giving Guide

MLK JR. FAMILY
SERVICES
106 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA 01109 (413)746-3655 www.mlkjrfamilyservices.org President and CEO: Shannon Rudder
YEAR ESTABLISHED
1977
MISSION
STATEMENT
To foster an environment where we nurture and empower the aspirations of individuals, families, and youth to achieve new realities of peace, social and economic justice, self-determination, self-actualization, and self- sufficiency.
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
King’s Kids After School Programs are offered at two Springfield locations, MLK Center on Rutland Street/Ronn Johnson Way and the MLK Charter School on Dorset Street. The programs feature quality programming with the goal of assisting students to become academically successful by nurturing their character and developing critical-thinking skills. Students are offered homework help, STEAM enrichment, literacy support, cultural experiences, and an artist-in- residence program.
King’s Kids Summer Camp is a full-day, action-packed camp where participants enjoy a creative curriculum, engaging in games, crafts, and weekly showcases that feature the best learnings of the week. We are also extending our summer enrichment programs for middle- and high-school students through a partnership with the Springfield Empowerment Zone Program.
Our Night Spot program offers a safe environment for youth ages 14-22 to engage with other peer leaders on a quest of self-reflection and identity, dream exploration, and positioning themselves as community builders and innovators. Night Spot also offers a time of recreation with open gym, basketball, and volleyball. Participants are welcome to engage with other MLKFS programs as well.
Beat the Odds (BTO) is a program of the Springfield-based Youth Mental
Health Coalition led in partnership with the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts and hosted at MLKFS. BTO focuses on breaking the cycle of stigma and barriers to youth mental healthcare and raising awareness. In 2023, this program launched a public-awareness campaign, “I Am Not My Mood,” which can be seen on billboards, bus advertising, and more. BTO participants receive stipends for their weekly involvement to determine ways to champion this good work.
Historically Black College and University Experience is a year-long legacy program that engages high-school scholars from the region in the exploration of their academic journey with college readiness and support workshops and introduction to the HBCU world with participation in the Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair and weeklong HBCU tour (route and campuses change every year).
Summer Nights, sponsored by the Department of Conservation & Recreation, is a summer-long program that provides safe, inclusive, fun, recreational, and educational opportunities.
MLK Emergency Food Pantry, in collaboration with Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and local donor grocers, provides fresh food staples to Hampden County residents on a weekly basis. MLKFS also hosts the mobile food truck bimonthly. In addition to groceries, shoppers can apply for SNAP and take advantage of health screenings and other services offered by Baystate Health.
The Family Stabilization Program is held in concert with the Department of Children and Families and offers parent aid support to families to ensure a safe and healthy environment for children at home and in their community. Our case managers work with program participants in their own environment and advocate for the holistic well-being and rights of all children.
The Clemente Program is sponsored in part by Mass Humanities and in conjunction with Bard College. This interdisciplinary program builds a bridge
to higher education and encourages critical thinking, reasoned argument, and effective communication through written and oral expression, all centered in the humanities. This program is free and open to scholars of all ages with a high- school equivalent status. At the completion of the program, each participant earns six college credits and joins a rich alumni network of social change agents.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jan. 15, 2024: annual Dr. King Day at the MassMutual Center, 11 a.m. to 1
p.m., in collaboration with Community Music School of Springfield, D.R.E.A.M. Studios Inc., Focus Springfield, Inclusive Strategies LLC, Legacy Sounds, Springfield College, Springfield Cultural Partnership, Springfield Public Schools, and Urban League of Springfield.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Interested in volunteering at MLK
Jr. Family Services? Please contact Lenise Williams at lwilliams@ mlkjrfs.org, or please visit our website, www. mlkjrfamilyservices.org, and click ‘Donate.’ All contributions are tax- deductible.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rose Colon,
Chair
Maurice Powe, Vice Chair
Darren James, Treasurer
Patricia Smith, Clerk
Mia Chandler
Eddie Corbin
Joyce Davis,
Bobby Hartsfield
Calvin Hill
Jacqueline Lee- Washington
Siobhan Spruill Damon Slocumb Allison Sullivan Jeffrey Sullivan, Chair
Emeritus
48 DECEMBER 11, 2023
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