Monday, January 17 marks the federal holiday that honors the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (His actual birthday occurs on January 15.) Signed into law in 1983 and first observed in 1986, the holiday is a deserving tribute to Dr. King for advancing civil rights and social justice through nonviolent protest. It has grown beyond a federal holiday honoring Dr. King into a national day of community service. Each year, service projects are planned across the country to reaffirm Dr. King's message of serving others. It's actually not a day off, but a day on! AmeriCorps has a searchable database of MLK Day volunteer opportunities. Simply put in your zip code and click on the "MLK Day" box to find the projects available in your area.Ways to find virtual volunteering opportunities at any time: Search established databases such as VolunteerMatch.org, Catchafire.org, or Points of Light. If there’s a particular organization you would love to help, you can also check the … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2022
Starfish blog: New Year sparks positive beginnings
The turning of the calendar to a new year sparks a new beginning. Adults typically take this opportunity to make resolutions for positive change—like being more active, eating more fruits and veggies. But what about kids? Helping your children to embrace positive energy can never start too early. Making resolutions is a great interactive activity to do with your children. If the word “resolution” sounds too intimidating, talk about setting goals—goals that are realistic. And have some fun! Kids love being involved in decision-making and charting their success. Depending on their age, create a sticker chart together or maybe experiment with flavors of vegetable smoothies that everyone can try. Encouraging your child to build healthy skills and habits now will carry well into adulthood. Below find some suggestions for age-appropriate New Year’s resolutions for kids adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Preschool children I’ll pick up my toys and put stuff away where … [Read more...]