Coded by Kids’ Guide to MLK Day in Philadelphia
3 opportunities to show up for your community, from free COVID-19 testing to conversations on allyship.
Every third Monday in January, communities across the country honor the legacy of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. through service — think canned food drives, neighborhood clean-ups, and a lot of reflection. And while Philadelphia is home to the largest MLK Day event in the country and has a 26-year history of showing up in the name of King, a lot of these acts of service are one-off, transactional, and probably do a lot more for the volunteer than the communities they serve.
In 2019, only 33% of Philadelphia third graders read at or above grade level, according to findings from the school district. And Philadelphia perpetually has one of the highest poverty rates among major cities, with nearly half of our households earning less than $35,000 a year. These problems only intensify when you look for racial inequities; half of Black families in Philly lack consistent internet access, further widening the education and employment gaps in a world that’s virtual by necessity. And while we understand that these problems take big, systemic solutions, it’s on us to invest our time (when we can) to make our corner of the city a little more equitable — and that means showing up after MLK Day.
Here at Coded by Kids, MLK Day is only the beginning. We make long-term investments in our city’s underrepresented youth, using technology as a gateway to a future of mentorship, college acceptances, and career opportunities bursting with passion. Today, we challenge you to make a long-term investment in the Philly you want to see, whether that means championing childhood literacy in your neighborhood or beautifying your block regularly.
To get the ball rolling, we’ve rounded up 3 Philadelphia-based volunteer opportunities at the intersection of education, racial justice, and wellness that can spiral into something a little greater than a day of service.
Get Tested With Black Doctor’s Consortium:
Founded by pediatric surgeon Dr. Ala Stanford, Black Doctors Consortium is an initiative designed to lessen racial disparities in COVID-19 infection rates by setting up testing sites, flu shots, and soon COVID-19 vaccinations in majority Black and Latinx communities. On MLK Day, the group will offer free COVID-19 tests at Girard college from 9 a.m to 12 p.m, with no appointment necessary. An added bonus? Those who get tested today will receive tote bags filled with essential PPE like masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer.
Looking to extend your commitment beyond getting tested and encouraging your friends and family to join you? The Consortium is looking for volunteers to handle all non-clinical activities at testing sites and coordinate public health initiatives with local leadership.
Improve Child Literacy with Read by 4th:
Read by 4th is a city-wide initiative that brings together a tapestry of parents, educators, and volunteers working towards a common goal: that all children will be reading at grade level by the time they reach 4th grade. Their team is looking to expand its network of Reading Captains — or block captains dedicated to child literacy. Reading Captains connect families with educational resources, host community workshops, and collaborate with educators across the city to create a future where early literacy is a goal, not a wish.
Read by 4th is teaming up with Global Citizen to host a 90-minute virtual training on MLK Day from 10:30 a.m to 12 p.m that prepares you to help families navigate remote education. Can’t make it? Sign up to attend another training.
Teach Anti-Racism with the Urban Affairs Coalition:
The Urban Affairs Coalition empowers marginalized communities to build wealth through strategic partnerships with scholarship funds, local schools, and entrepreneurship incubators. With a focus on young people, UAC helps families navigate school choice while also providing monthly college and financial readiness seminars through their Coalitions U programming.
Inspired by their November 2020 virtual forum titled “Ending Racism: This is a Movement, Not a Moment,” which tackled racial disparities in income, education, and healthcare, the nonprofit is expanding its reach this MLK Day with small group conversations on allyship. Facilitated by volunteer Pod Captains, who will lead 30–45 discussions with their community, these conversations will create an open dialogue around what it takes to recognize privilege, discrimination, and racism to create a culture of allies, not bystanders. To facilitate a conversation, click here.
