For hundreds of thousands Americans, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has become a day on, not a day off. Initiated in Congress in 1994, the Martin Luther King Day of Service builds on Dr. King’s legacy of service to others by giving back to the community in his honor. People build homes for Habitat for Humanity, paint murals, pack lunches for the homeless, read to children, and engage in hundreds activities designed to give back to the community.
Economic Uncertainty and Financial Literacy
During this time of economic challenges, one way to help children to move beyond adult fears of economic uncertainty is by encouraging them to think ahead to their own futures. This is especially true for populations that have traditionally been underserved by the financial system. Helping children to make the connection between educational attainment, fiscal responsibility, and achieving their life goals is an important strategy for ending the cycle of poverty in struggling communities.
Vision Boards
Vision boards can be a meaningful take on Dr. King’s I Have a Dream speech. Vision boards are visual representations of a person’s life goals. Simple to create, vision boards are made by pasting images and words on a poster board. The finished product represents a child’s dreams for the future.
How to Make a Vision Board
- Volunteers begin by telling children that Dr. King had a dream of a world where people could be anything they wanted to be. President Obama is a living example! Then tell participants that they should imagine their lives 20-30 years from now. Encourage them to dream big.
- Children should brainstorm ideas on scrap paper first. Ask them to put the words “Talia’s Dream” (insert their own names) in a circle in the center. Then, in branches extending from the center, they should write down dreams related to career, family, home, fun, friends, etc. Dreams should be written in present tense. For example, “I have a college degree,” or “I live in a house near the ocean.”
- Have copies of Dr. King’s I Have a Dream speech available for reference. Volunteers are encouraged to refer to the speech during the activity. For example, read the words: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Ask them: “What does that mean? Did Dr. King’s dream come true? How did he make that happen?"
- Work with participants to help them clarify their goals. Encourage them to make connections between educational attainment and financial achievement by asking questions like: “So you want to make a million dollars. How will you do that?” or “If you want to be a doctor, will you need to go to college? Where could you get the kind of money you need to do that?” Talk to them about the importance of saving money and staying in school in order to attain the things they want.
- Help participants to understand the difference between things that don’t require money (like love or friendship) and things that do (like a house or a car). Ask them questions like: “Do you think money can buy happiness? Are there things you own that make you happy when you see them? What makes you happy that doesn’t cost anything?”
- Once they have their ideas clear, participants should look for photos in magazines that represent their ideas. Glue photos on a large piece of poster paper using the format used during brainstorming. Photos and hand drawn pictures may overlap, and can be surrounded with glitter, stickers, and yarn. The important thing is to make the dreams colorful and exciting.
- By the time the children finish the vision board, they will have visual representations of their lives in the future, along with a plan for making it happen. Encourage them to hang their vision boards in prominent places in their rooms or homes and to share their dreams with people who can support them in making them come true.
Number of volunteers and participants: one adult volunteer for every 3-5 participants
Recommended participants: ages 8-18
Materials: paper, poster boards, scissors, pencils/markers, glue, stickers, magazines
Optional activities: read I Have a Dream speech, coloring/comic books, stories about Dr. King, puzzles and games
Develop a Martin Luther King Day Project
To develop your own service project or to volunteer for the National Martin Luther King Day of Service, visit Volunteer Match to find a local project. Project coordinators are looking for interesting ideas and able bodies. Challenge friends and family to make this year's King holiday a day on.
Also read: Martin Luther King Jr Day 2009: Day Before Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama
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