Join the Einstein MLK Week of Service

Strength in numbers—that is the concept behind the Martin Luther King Week of Service, when all Americans are called to step up and volunteer to improve their communities however they can. While Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday, by many it’s considered “a day on, not a day off.”

This year the observance of Martin Luther King Day falls on Monday, January 20, 2025. As in the past, through community service work, the College of Medicine will join organizations and individuals nationwide in honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of nonviolence and human rights.

From Saturday, January 18 through Thursday, January 23, the Service-Learning Program in the office of medical education is connecting students, faculty, and staff to opportunities to serve the Bronx community and beyond through our MLK Week of Service.

“We are excited to continue expanding our reach beyond curricular service learning to find additional ways to support our community partners. This is an opportunity for all members of the Einstein community, including faculty, postdocs, and staff, along with students of all years and in all educational programs, to engage in service that meets our community’s needs,” noted Dr. Lauren Roth, director of the Service-Learning Course.

Paid Time Off Available

For employees who volunteer their time during the designated week, the human resources department is offering two hours of paid time off, whether your contribution is through Einstein or another volunteer organization of your choice.

“While you can volunteer throughout the week for as many hours as you wish, we're happy to provide employees with this paid time toward their goodwill efforts,” said Yvonne Ramirez, vice president of human resources. “We know that members of the Einstein community will show their hearts as they so often do.”

If you are participating, please coordinate this time with your supervisor. To record the two hours of paid time in Kronos, it would be Code 10 – University approved time – with an additional comment (MLK Service).

Service Opportunities

Einstein has coordinated with community-based organizations and local high schools to provide the following MLK Week of Service opportunities. Einstein students, postdocs, faculty, and staff are encouraged to log and track volunteer hours with any other organization with which they may choose to volunteer outside of these opportunities.

Grassroots Grocery —1750 East Gun Hill Road (in the shopping center, BEHIND the Dunkin’ Donuts)
Niño de la Caridad Foundation — 2467 Bathgate Ave
Immanuel Cares Global — 800 Barreto Street (Sidewalk)
Project BRAVO Food Pantry — 3058 Bainbridge Ave
Health Education/ STEM Engagement Day with local Bronx High Schools — 1300 Morris Park Ave

Opportunity 1: Grassroots Grocery

Grassroots Grocery is a volunteer-powered food rescue and distribution network ensuring that healthy food makes its way into the heart of under-resourced communities. Volunteers help organize and pack up produce and groceries for distribution to the community. This can include help with shelving food items, packaging groceries, distributing packaged meals, groceries, and personal protective equipment to community members, and conducting health screenings with community members. Those who drive also can help with distributing produce and groceries to specific homes within the community.

Opportunity 2: Niño de la Caridad Foundation

Niño de la Caridad Foundation is a non-profit organization that serves children in the Bronx community. Founded by Dr. Denise Nuñez, its primary goal is to extend a helping hand to children. This foundation aims to provide a secure environment in which children can enhance their social skills and academics. Volunteers will assist the foundation with distributing food to the community. Tasks include helping with set up, organization of food cans and bags, and distributing these items to recipients.

Opportunity 3: Immanuel Cares Global

Immanuel Cares is a 501(c)(3) organization working in the Bronx and other parts of metropolitan New York to improve the quality of life and well-being of individuals and families living in impoverished communities within the United States, Jamaica, and other locations worldwide. Through its efforts, the organization offers access to relief, and to health, mental health, and social services. Volunteers will assist with distributing food and clothing donations, as well as provide basic medical screenings and health education for people experiencing homelessness or community members who may be experiencing hardship.

Opportunity 4: Project Bravo Food Pantry

As part of Montefiore Health System’s mission to care for everybody and the whole body, Project BRAVO Food Pantry is a community-based, hospital-driven initiative designed to combat food insecurity for high-risk individuals and families. Our Bronx home, one of the poorest congressional districts in the nation, is a “food desert” where residents lack access to healthy food—or any food at all for those facing the highest levels of poverty. The pantry’s services include nutrition support as well as provision of pre-made meals, shelf-stable goods, fresh produce, household, baby supplies, and more. At Project BRAVO, volunteers will have the opportunity to help organize and shelve food items, package groceries, and distribute packaged meals and groceries. Please dress warm as food distribution is outdoors!

Opportunity 5: Health Education/ STEM Engagement Day for local Bronx High Schools

Students from local high schools in the Bronx will come to Einstein’s campus during the MLK Week of Service for health education activities and to explore careers in science and medicine. Volunteers are needed to serve as tour guides and mentors to our high school student visitors. We are also seeking physicians and principal investigators who are interested in participating in a career panel and lab tours.

Registration and Week of Service Competition

For more information, including dates/times available for volunteering your time and how to sign up, please visit the Einstein MLK Week of Service page. The deadline to register with our community partners is Friday, January 17.

You are encouraged to log your hours through Sunday, January 26, 2025. Two individuals and the top department, club, or group completing the most service hours between January 18 and 25, 2025—whether volunteering through one of the offered opportunities or another service organization—will receive a prize.

For important guidelines on photography during your volunteer activity, please review Einstein’s photo consent form, which should be used to get consent from anyone who is not a member of the Einstein Montefiore community (i.e., individuals who are not staff, faculty, postdocs, or students).

While taking photos, focus on yourself and other volunteers. Also, be sure to check with the organization with which you volunteer about any policy they may have. Do not photograph individuals without their consent. When posting on social media, feel free to use the hashtag #EinsteinMedMLKDay

Posted on: Thursday, January 02, 2025

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