2022 MLK Winter Warmup (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events , ,

On Saturday, December 17, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual Winter Warm-Up, a community-based effort to provide new coats, hats, and gloves to over 800 children in need. Registered guests participated in a drive through to receive a free winter coat, hats, and gloves, along with shelf-stable food items. 

LIRA provided free hats, gloves, socks, and blankets to the homeless, along with a hot meal, sponsored by Accident & Injury Chiropractic.

Community Partners included LIRA, HELP, Peter and Dena Silberman, Terris Perkins, Jr., Miles of Freedom, CBRE, Empowering the Masses, KIPP Texas Public Schools, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, Green Careers Dallas, Kelly Drake, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter), Continental Societies, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Foremost Family Health Center, Dallas Public Library, Transportation Unlimited, Inc., Gigi Gervasi, Doris Edmon, Crystal Tyler, and Rosesharon Wright.

 

 

 

 

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Call For Student Artists! 2023 Black History Month Art Display

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Information ,

Call for Student Artists! Submit Art for Black History Month Display at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center

The City of Dallas Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center is seeking student artists to participate in an art display at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in celebration of Black History Month. Artwork will be displayed inside of the MLK, Jr. Community Center from February 1 – February 28, 2023.

CRITERIA

Students in grades 6-12 in the Dallas area can participate.

Artwork should reflect the theme “It Starts with Me,” exploring the diversity of Black culture. Submissions may incorporate (but are not limited to) historical leaders, groups, events, flags, or a personal interpretation of the theme in relation to Black History Month. Acceptable mediums include (but are not limited to) paint, pencil, marker, ink, poetry, sculpture, collage, or photography.

HOW TO SUBMIT

Submit artwork to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (2922 MLK, Jr. Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215) along with the following details:

  • Artist Name
  • School
  • Grade
  • Art Title
  • Description of artwork

DEADLINE

  • Submit art by January 30, 2023, by 5:00 p.m.
  • Art Pick Up: March 1, 2023

CONTACT

For more information, contact Natashia Cooper at natashia.cooper@dallas.gov or call 214-670-8418.

MLK Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Saturday, November 19, 2022, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway to provide complete Thanksgiving meals to over 400 families in need.

Guests participated in a drive-through event receiving bags filled with vegetables, bread, desserts, and more, along with a ham and Cornish hen for a complete holiday meal.

This was a collaboration between the City of Dallas Office of Community Care, LIRA, HELP, Bob’s Steak & Chop House, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, Miles of Freedom, Ben E. Keith, The Richards Group, Foremost Family Health Center, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Kappa Zeta Chapter), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter), Kroger, Stream Realty, Ellen’s Kitchen, Empowering the Masses, Enterprise, Transportation Unlimited, Inc., First Choice Social Services, US Bank, O.E.S. Saturah Chapter #13, A+ Charter Schools, Inc., Ronald Kirk, Mark Jones, Sam Gioldasis, Ron Haynes, Kate Levit, Kevin Summers, Marcy Taylor, and James Hickey.

We want to extend a special thank you to the volunteers who gave their time and energy to assist with preparing and distributing baskets, including Enterprise, Diva Girls Rock, Alpha Merit, Zeta Phi Beta (Kappa Zeta Chapter), HELP, Refulgent Star, and O.E.S. Saturah Chapter #13.

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Winter Warm-Up Coat Drive and Distribution

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

2022 MLK Winter Warm-Up Coat Drive and Distribution

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center’s annual Winter Warm-Up is a community-based effort to provide new coats, hats, and gloves to children in need. We will also be distributing free food boxes for registered families.

To receive a free coat, children must be between the ages of 3 months to 18 years old. There is a limit of 5 coats per household. You must be registered to participate.

Online registration begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 21, at www.dallasmlkcenter.com/winter-warmup.

The drive-thru coat distribution will take place on Saturday, December 17, starting at 10 a.m. 

If you are interested in donating coats, hats, gloves, or food items, please contact our office at 214-670-8418. All donated items must be received by Wednesday, December 7, 2022.

 

Day of the Dead/ Día de los Muertos (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Tuesday, November 1, 2022, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted it’s first Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos event, commemorating the Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. 

Attendees enjoyed a special showing of the movie Coco, free food, snacks, and drinks. There was an altar display with pictures, candles, and treats honoring loved ones who have passed away.

Sponsors included Reliant, LIRA, Oncor, HELP, Dallas Park and Recreation, Trinity Basin Preparatory, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Empowering the Masses, Miles of Freedom, the Office of Councilman Adam Bazaldua, and the Dallas Public Library.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Treat the Building!

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events , , , , , , , ,

On Friday, October 28, 2022, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual “Treat the Building” Halloween event for the students who attend MLK ChildCareGroup.

This event was a collaboration between the MLK Branch Library, Foremost Family Health Center, Miles of Freedom, Empowering the Masses, First Choice Social Services, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Office of Community Care Social Services, H.E.L.P., Dallas County Seniors, and the office of Councilman Adam Bazaldua.

Special thanks to our student volunteers from the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing!

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MLK Hispanic Heritage Festival (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Saturday, October 1, 2022, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, in collaboration with Reliant, hosted its first-ever Hispanic Heritage Festival in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15).

Over 450 attendees enjoyed a variety of local retail and informational vendors, live entertainment, free food, and giveaways. The Kid Zone activities included face painting, balloon art, arts and crafts, bounce house, and hamster ball play area.

Special guests included Ballet Folklórico Ollimpaxqui; the Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep Aesthetic Literacy students; Ariana Zuniga, Zumba Instructor; Councilman Adam Bazaldua (District 7); Councilwoman Jaynie Shultz (District 11), and Dr. Jose Dela Cruz, MLK Advisory Board Member (District 11).

Special thanks to the students who participated in the art display, which will be on display at the MLK, Jr. Community Center until October 15. Participating schools included KIPP Truth Academy, A.W. Brown Middle School, Solar Preparatory for Girls, KIPP Pleasant Grove, Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep, Spruce High School, MLK, Jr. Arts Academy, and Dallas Christian High School.

Community Partners included Reliant, LIRA, Miles of Freedom, HELP, Oncor, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Dallas Public Library, Empowering the Masses, Dallas Civil Rights Museum, Dallas Park and Recreation, and Dallas Fire Department. Breakfast was sponsored by DFW Voices for Education. Music was provided by DJ Trikky.

Councilman Adam Bazaldua (District 7); Pamela R. Jones, MLK Center Manager; Dr. Jose Dela Cruz (MLK Advisory Board, District 11)

Ballet Folklórico Ollimpaxqui
Ballet Folklórico Ollimpaxqui

Face Painting by Anna Garza

Photobooth by LCI Media
Students and teacher from Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep

A raffle prize winner, courtesy of LIRA Group

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2022 MLK Back to School Festival (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, August 13, 2022, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual MLK Back to School Festival, an event for students and families to receive free backpacks, school supplies, and other essential items for the new school year. More than 25 community partners participated in the drive-through event, distributing supplies to nearly 1400 students and 350 families.

Community Partners included HELP, Miles of Freedom, Carter’s House, Peter & Dena Silberman, LIRA, Encore, KIPP Texas, Humana, DART Silver Line Regional Rail Project, Trinity Basin Preparatory, Dallas Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Smile Magic Family Dental, Reliant NRG, Dallas National Association of Black Accountants, Inc., Dallas County Democratic Party, Community Council of Greater Dallas, Foremost Family Health Centers, Dallas Public Library, Dallas Park & Recreation, The Richards Group, MLK ChildCareGroup, City of Dallas Environmental Education Initiative, Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability, Dallas Water Utilities Defend Your Drains, South Dallas Community Court, Fastell Girl Model2Mentor Program, Green Careers Dallas, Benchmark Bank, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Capital One, Amazon, American Bank, Abide Women’s Health Services, Austin Street Center, Devin Robinson, and J’La Dade.

Kona Ice was provided by Reliant NRG. Music was provided by DJ Trikky. 

Special thank to our volunteers for their time and dedication to serve the community!

Event Preparation!

Event Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comfort for College

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Saturday, July 9, LIRA Group, in collaboration with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, celebrated Comfort for College, a program designed to support students in need of school supplies and other essential items for their first year of college.

Students who participate in Comfort for College must first submit an essay based on a theme chosen by LIRA Group. Once selected, students attend a college readiness program which offers crucial tools to new students and helps them manage college/life balance; they go on college tours to provide insight to different majors and activities each college/university offers; and each student receives a college “starter kit” with everything needed to start their new journey. 

Sponsors included Vistra, Oasis Focus, HELP, Atmos, Kroger, Grate 1 Insulation Services Company, Empowering the Masses,  In the City for Good, DFW Voices, Terris Perkins, Jr., and the City of Dallas.

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