In recognition of MLK Day as "a day on, not off," Metro Volunteers teamed up with Kaiser Permanente to facilitate a day of service for over 200 KP employees. Kaiser Permanente employees served the community at seven different project locations throughout metro Denver. The project sites were: West High School; Montbello High School; the Denver Broncos Boys and Girls Club; Inner City Health Center; Aurora Centre Point Medical Offices; Volunteers of America; and the MLK Day Marade at City Park.
When asked about the project at the Denver Broncos Boys and Girls Club, Cheryl Clark, of Metro Volunteers responded, "All the things that the dream represents were honored in the club that day. We had people from all walks of life interacting and sharing their gifts with no regard to color. It was very powerful to witness that part of Dr. King's dream has been realized and that we still have much to do, and our efforts are not in vain."
The project at the Boys and Girls culminated with students sharing their poetry and reflections of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy. To read Yazmin Atmore's (age:13) poem, "My Generation"
click here.The community impact that Kaiser Permanente left at the end of MLK Day is indisputable. Mary Van Milligen, a Metro Volunteers AmeriCorps member, reflected, "Every Kaiser Permanente volunteer that came to Montbello had the appropriate go-getter attitude for "a day on, not a day off." Our partnership with Kaiser that day affected a neighborhood greatly in need of assistance and care in a positive way. I believe Dr. Martin Luther King would have been proud."
The need for medical care in our community is immense - more than double the amount of people expected came to the two medical sites for treatments and routine check-ups. For true equality to be realized in our country, all Americans must have access to the health care they need. Kaiser Permanente has begun to set the bar for equality in our society by providing health services to uninsured and under insured individuals in our community.
Check out some of the staggering statistics of medical care provided:
Kaiser Permanente Aurora Centrepoint Medical Offices
- Total individuals served: 398; 99 children
- Pediatric immunizations: 44
- Pap screenings: 59
- Flu shots: 51
- Adult immunizations: 27
Inner City Health Center
- Total individuals served: 250; 99 children
- Administered prostate cancer screening
- Administered sexually transmitted disease screening
Recognizing MLK Day as a national day of service is a national movement.
Click here for information on other MLK Day activities that occurred across the country.Many of our nation's top politicos came out to celebrate MLK Day.
1 comments:
I participated in MLK day here in Denver. It is great to see so many peoplecoming together for the common good. My hope is for more participation next year.
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