WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderDay of Service honors King

Day of Service honors King

By Bob Schaper

ROCKFORD (WREX) - For years Rockford's YouthBuild has marked Martin Luther King's birthday with a day of service.

They did that this year, too, but they also took the day to learn about the civil rights legend and ways they could improve themselves.

King would have turned 81 this year, and though he's been dead since 1968 his legacy still hits home, even with people born long after his death.

"About 200 people from Rockford's YouthBuild program came together to listen and learn. It's a change from how they normally mark King's national day of service.

Antar Baker, community partnership coordinator, says, "We decided to share valuable information and knowledge with people as our way of serving this year."

The workshops were on topics like entrepreneurship, continuing education and parenting.

"It was very educational," says Teria McCraley. "I learned a lot."

"We want our students here to know that it's never too late, they can still go to college and we want them to know that we have high expectations for them," Baker says.

They also heard a lecture on the King's life and struggles.

"I think it was a great opportunity to do this because a lot of people don't know about Martin Luther King," says Prominique Morrow

Phillip Ozier agrees. "It's a part of our heritage, it's a part of why we're here in the first place. Why we all our equal as people now. Because if it wasn't for him we wouldn't be here today."

Baker says, "They hear the I have a Dream speech but most people know very little. Their information about Dr. King is shallow. You can go to a lot of events and learn very little."

After lunch the group headed to St. Elizabeth's Center to perform community service for the poor and homeless.