State Rep. Jefferson to keynote MLK Day of Service Celebration Jan. 18

From press release

State Rep. Chuck Jefferson (D-Rockford) will be the keynote speaker at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Celebration “A Day On, Not a Day Off,” Monday, Jan. 18.

The opening ceremonies will begin at 8 a.m. at YouthBuild headquarters, 917 S. Main St., Rockford. Registration will begin at 7:45 a.m., and the closing ceremony will end at 3 p.m.

The MLK Jr. Day of Service is coordinated in part by Goodwill of Northern Illinois, Comprehensive Community Solutions and YouthBuild. In addition to Jefferson’s address about the legacy of Martin Luther King, attendees will be offered instructional workshops to learn about volunteering and other opportunities to make a difference in the Rockford community.

“I believe that community involvement and activism is an important lesson to teach our youth,” Jefferson said. “So I am very proud to support this event that was coordinated, in large part, by our youth who want to take action to get others involved, spread awareness of our history, and encourage others to make positive contributions to society in Martin Luther King Jr.’s honor.”

Attendees will be given the opportunity to visit multiple workshops, which will include information about how to locate information about college scholarships and financial aid; about careers from professionals, including a teacher from Rockford Public Schools; how to start your own business; how to write a resume for college and employment; how to get involved in community service projects and other volunteering opportunities.

“Martin Luther King Jr. inspired me to make a difference in my community, and he is actually why I got into public service,” Jefferson said. “So I hope that events like this will motivate our youth, and get them interested in civics. Our government needs to hear what issues matter to our youth, and we, as a state, need to be doing all we can to invest in them through education, because they are the future of our state.”

“A Day On, Not a Day Off” is free and open to the community. Attendees are encouraged to register prior to the event, but walk-ins will be accepted.

For more information, contact Jefferson’s full-time constituent service office at (815) 987-7433.