Somerville Hosting MLK Day Youth Workshop, Clothing Drive

SOMERVILLE, MA — The City of Somerville has announced details about multiple events scheduled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day next week.

An MLK Day of Service Youth Workshop, hosted by the Somerville Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ), will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at the Dojo at SomerNova, located at 15 Properzi Way. Students ages 14 and up are encouraged to attend.

According to the City, the event will provide an opportunity for youth to explore Dr. King's legacy and share their ideas, concerns and perspectives on ways the Somerville community can further King's vision.

At the workshop, attendees will set an agenda for future work with Somerville-based businesses, nonprofits and city agencies committed to social, racial and economic justice in Somerville.

The workshop is a partnership between the RSJ and the Somerville Human Rights Commission, The Somerville Center for Teen Empowerment, The Dojo at SomerNova, and the Somerville Education Foundation.

Students can RSVP for the workshop by contacting RSJ Deputy Director Steven Flythe at sflythe@somervillema.gov or 781-808-7502. However, an RSVP is not required to attend.

Somerville residents of all ages also are invited to volunteer at the MLK Day Community Clothing Drive.

Volunteers are needed between noon and 4 p.m. on Monday to collect, sort and bag clothes that will be donated to unhoused neighbors, according to organizers. Those interested in participating also should contact Flythe at sflythe@somervillema.gov or 781-808-7502.

For the drive, residents are asked to donate new or gently-used items like: adult-sized blankets, beanies, gloves, socks, and scarves.

There will be six collection sites throughout the city:

• Somerville Armory, 191 Highland Ave.
• Connexion Church, 149 Broadway
• The Dojo at SomerNova, 19 Properzi Way
• Somerville Police Department Headquarters, 220 Washington St.
• Somerville Fire Department, 651 Somerville Ave
• Somerville Fire Department, 6 Newbury Street

"MLK Day is an opportunity to take action and honor Dr. King's incredible life through acts of service that build towards an equitable society for all," Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne said. "I look forward to engaging with Somerville's youth at the Day of Service Workshop, and encourage everyone to help our unhoused neighbors by donating to our MLK Day Community Clothing Drive."