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RHD celebrates Martin Luther King Day with professional development day for homeless
1/15/2010 10:05:08 AM
Contact: Kevin Roberts, RHD Communications at 215-951-0300 (ext. 3714) or email at: kevinr@rhd.org
On Martin Luther King Day, Resources for Human Development celebrates not with a day off, but with a day on. On Jan. 18, RHD will host a Professional Development Day at its central office in Philadelphia to help the residents of its homeless shelters get back on their feet.
RHD, a national human services nonprofit headquartered in Philadelphia, has always devoted Martin Luther King Day to community service. RHD employees engage in a commemorative march, as well as poetry readings, a book giveaway for children, and an open discussion of Dr. King’s legacy. The day’s climactic event is a community service effort. In the past RHD has engaged in a parks cleanup or donated time toward various projects at some of its many programs that work to improve the lives of people in need.
This year RHD is joining with the community to put together a Professional Development Day for residents of its homeless shelters. The day will include resume building and mock interviews, haircuts for the men, makeup classes for the women, wardrobe assistance, and more. Local barbers, stylists and makeup artists are donating their time, and clothing drives from around the city have contributed professional attire for those in need. United Way is helping to staff the event with volunteers. Brooks Brothers, one of the nation’s finest clothiers for business attire, is personally contributing thousands of dollars worth of clothes.
“Dr. King lived and spoke the values that our corporation is based on,’’ said Vanessa Williams, RHD’s Martin Luther King Day coordinator. “We want to do something that is a fitting tribute to his memory, and to keeping his dream alive.”
Volunteers from inside and outside RHD participate in the day of service, giving a few minutes or a few hours, in mind of one of Dr. King’s most enduring exhortations: “Life’s persistent and most urgent question is – what are you doing for others?”
