Let Your Life Speak: King Day of Service and Symposium

Please register for only one activity per timeframe, per attendee.

On Monday, January 20, Abington Friends School will host Let Your Life Speak: King Day of Service & Social Justice Symposium. For many years we have brought the community together for an inspirational day of service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and worked with volunteers from across the region on behalf of those in need. This year, for the first time, we are expanding the day to include a social justice symposium to further embrace Dr. King’s vision and mission.

Abington Friends School’s inaugural Social Justice Symposium is an opportunity for educators, diversity practitioners, local leaders, students, and community members to engage in courageous conversations, ask important questions, receive professional development and resources, and connect as one community to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Through service projects for all ages, keynote speakers, a panel, service projects, workshops, a resource fair and a performance, this event aims to help those in need and to educate and inspire while building social justice consciousness and community.

A Gently Used Clothing Sale will be held on Saturday, January 18 and morning of January 20 in the Lower School. All proceeds go to support Women’s Center of Montgomery County. Donations can be made in the Lower School and Main Lobbies at AFS through January 17.

Please join us to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—Let Your Life Speak! All are welcome.

Schedule for the day:

9 to 10 a.m. – Registration and Opening Program
10:15 a.m to 12:30 p.m. – Service Projects
10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. – Symposium Session 1
10:15 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. – Resource Fair and Snack Bar Open in Berman Athletics Center
10:15 – 11:30 a.m. – Clothing Sale
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Symposium Session 2
12:30 to 12:50 p.m. – Snack/Lunch Break
1 to 1:45 p.m. – Closing Program Performance, King’s Dream by Key Arts

Please register for only ONE activity per timeframe, per person. We encourage you to spend time experiencing both the symposium and the service projects. All symposium workshops and most service projects are located on the AFS campus. Please note that there are age suggestions noted in the project and workshop descriptions, when applicable – children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

A Sampling of Service Projects:

Hat-making and scarf-making for Mitzvah Circle
Assembling winter-care kits with Whosoever Gospel Mission
Meal-making for Caring for Friends
Pillow case sewing to benefit Ryan’s Case for Smiles
Coloring book creation for Sueños

A Sampling of Symposium Panels/Workshops:

Start Where You Are: Navigating Local Politics with Jay Conners, Chair of the Jenkintown Democrats; Kimberly McGlonn, Jenkintown Borough Councilwoman and CEO & Founder of Grant Blvd; and Representative Ben Sanchez, 153rd District, Montgomery County
Radical Love: Moving from Ally to Accomplice presented by Mikael Yisrael, Director of Diversity and Inclusion
Curiosity and Diversity: Having Difficult Conversations With Children presented by Lower School teachers Carol Wolf and Raji Malik.