NOTE: Volunteer slots are filled, but items are still needed. Please sign up to pledge to donate items or sign up as Donation Captains, or contact Britni Jackson directly at britni.l.jackson@gmail.com.

Taking place each third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a "day on, not a day off." It is a way to transform Dr. King's life and teachings into community action to help meet national challenges, bring together people, strengthen communities, and benefit those who serve.

At HRC and Hetrick-Martin Institute, we believe that we have a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of our LGBT youth, who make up 40 percent of homeless and at-risk youth. In our first year participating in MLK Day of Service, we are pleased to announce a service project benefiting LGBT homeless youth in our New York community. As an HRC supporter, you have seen first-hand how we can make an impact when we join together and take action.

How can YOU make a difference? There are TWO ways:
By donating items and by volunteering your time.

DONATE ITEMS
HRC and Hetrick-Martin Institute are collecting the following items to create care bags for LGBT homeless youth.

• New and unopened travel-sized toiletries including soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, moisturizer, lip balm, deodorant, handwipes, tissues, feminine hygiene products, brushes and combs.
• New and unopened underwear and socks

Please consider donating any quantity of these items and dropping them off at any of the following location: 

Thursday, January 17 and Friday, January 18
3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Hetrick-Martin Institute
2 Astor Place
New York, NY 10003
Contact: Lillian Rivera, Hetrick-Martin Institute Director of Advocacy & Capacity Building, at lrivera@hmi.org 

VOLUNTEER
On Wednesday, January 23, we need volunteers to assemble care bags for LGBT homeless youth. Volunteer training /orientation, food, and beverages will be provided. Please RSVP to volunteer or let us know if you'd like to donate.

Wednesday, January 23
3:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Hetrick-Martin Institute
2 Astor Place
New York, NY 10003
Contact: Britni Jackson, HRC Greater NY Diversity Co-Chair, at britni.l.jackson@gmail.com, or Seton Davey, Hetrick-Martin Institute Director of Volunteer Services, at sdavey@hmi.org

Supporters: FedEx; Alcoa, Armani Exchange; CVS; and Kimpton Hotels including 70 Park, Muse, Ink48, and Eventi

Partners:

About Hetrick-Martin Institute: Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI) was founded in 1979 when Dr. Emery Hetrick and Dr. A. Damien Martin heard the heartbreaking story of a homeless 15-year-old boy who had been beaten and thrown out of his emergency shelter because he was gay. Today, HMI is the nation’s oldest and largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth service organization serving more than 2,000 young people from over 350 zip codes, including their satellite program space in Newark, NJ, which has also grown to serve over 150 LGBTQ youth. Through their Advocacy & Capacity Building department, HMI has trained more than 500 community leaders, educators and advocates across the United States and around the world to share their best practices in creating safe spaces for LGBTQ youth. HMI believes that all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.

For more information about Hetrick-Martin Institute, please visit http://www.hmi.org/

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