Join the Einstein MLK Service Challenge!
This year, the College of Medicine will join institutions of learning and other organizations nationwide in honoring the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr., through community service work. Throughout the week of January 18, 2021, Einstein is offering in-person and virtual opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to serve the Bronx community and beyond.
![To honor Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy, take part in the MLK Service Day Challenge!]()
To honor Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy, take part in the MLK Service Day Challenge!
Observed each year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a day off,” the Martin Luther King Day of Service is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service, to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.
“The difficulties of the past year have reinforced the importance of community, and many of us look forward to sharing our time, energy, and spirit with those in need,” said Dr. Nerys Benfield, senior associate dean of diversity and inclusion (D&I). “We want to provide an avenue for our community members to participate in volunteer activities that honor MLK's legacy.”
Both individuals and the department that complete the most service hours between January 18 and 24, 2021 will receive a prize, noted Fanta Sissoko, program coordinator for D&I.
Serving Needs Through Service
To further facilitate the ability of Einstein employees to find time for their volunteerism, during the “service challenge” week human resources will allow two hours of paid time off to those who participate in a service opportunity, whether it is one of the four organized through Einstein (see options below) or completed with another volunteer organization of the employee’s choosing.
“While you can volunteer throughout the week for as many hours as you wish, we’re happy to provide employees with two hours of 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.”
Einstein has coordinated with four local organizations to provide these MLK Service opportunities:
- Opportunity 1: Project BRAVO Food Pantry
- Opportunity 2: Offer Feedback to HERO High School Researchers (Virtual)
- Opportunity 3: Food Justice and Medicine (FJAM) Bronx Grocery Delivery
- Opportunity 4: PPE and Food Distribution with the Bronx Community Foundation
Please keep in mind: Because of COVID-19, each site will be required to limit the number of volunteers on location at one time.
For further information or to register your volunteer activity, visit our MLK Service Challenge webpage! The deadline to register is Friday, January 8.
Service Reflection
As a follow up to the MLK Service Challenge, on Tuesday, January 26, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., diversity and inclusion is hosting a virtual “reflection” Zoom, where members of our Einstein community can share their service experiences with one another.
“We also encourage participants to take photos, where appropriate, that can be shared in a follow-up story on Inside Einstein and through our social media,” said Fanta. “For questions and guidelines on photography please visit https://www.einsteinmed.org/diversity/service-challenge/.
Posted on: Wednesday, January 06, 2021