Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Like Dr. King, at Children’s Hope, we believe that one of the greatest measures in life is what you are doing to make life better for other people. We believe this not only for our staff and foster parents, but also for our children. While many of them are facing  their own trauma and brokenness, and trying to recover, it is important for them to learn to serve others who are also facing hard times. It is proven that serving others has physical and mental benefits. Taking time to serve others can forge new friendships, improve social and relational skills, counteract depression, anxiety, and anger, and increase one’s sense of self worth. As we approach Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Children’s Hope has a number of ways to volunteer and serve the community.

Lubbock’s 2020 MLK Day of Service is from 10 am to 3:30 pm. On a day that thousands across the country choose to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by giving back to their communities, Volunteer Lubbock has a number of service opportunities that residents and foster children at Children’s Hope can participate in. There are beautification projects to improve the Volunteer Center, clean-up opportunities at the American Windmill Museum, Volunteer Day at Catholic Charities, storage clean out at the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and a service day at the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum.

At Children’s Hope, we agree with Dr. King: A life of service is one well-lived. We also know the benefits serving others offers our children. Next week when Martin Luther King, Jr. Day comes around, we hope that you will take the time to give back to your community and do so alongside your family, whatever that may look like.