Los Angeles Conservation Corps
South Central and East Los Angeles, California

Keeping up with regular chores and housekeeping can be a challenge for elderly citizens living at home. For many, ordinary projects like mowing the lawn or trimming overgrown shrubs and tree branches are simply too difficult to do alone. For this reason, the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC) celebrates the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service by assisting elderly residents with maintenance and housekeeping projects around their homes. While the LACC provides opportunities for youth to serve the community throughout the year, the MLK Holiday is an opportune time to recruit new volunteers and help neighbors in need.

MLK Day of Service events kick-off one week prior to the holiday with activities and education programs exploring Dr. King’s life and the values he taught through example taking place throughout the week. On the King Holiday, volunteers are deployed in teams across the city to perform services such as lawn maintenance, tree trimming, and basic clean-up activities around the homes of needy elderly residents. At each site, teams discuss issues of social justice and reflect on the week’s lessons.

Whether mowing the lawn, delivering groceries, or simply spending time together, service projects can make a big difference helping elderly neighbors in need. Consider the project ideas below:

• Work with a local Housing Authority to identify elderly residents in need of assistance with small maintenance or repair projects in or around their homes
• Partner with local home improvement or hardware stores that can provide supplies and expertise
• Visit with residents of local nursing homes or assisted living communities to offer companionship and activities
• Organize a neighborhood watch or visiting program to check-in on elderly neighbors