Today on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a National Day of Service, we’re reflecting on Dr. King’s commitment to community, empowerment, and the work that must still be done to achieve racial equality. The Viscardi Center’s mission and work are strongly aligned with the values we uphold on MLK Day: diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. The synergy between Dr. King’s human rights legacy and Viscardi’s core values is richly expressed through the dynamic work of our Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee, which is reinvigorating Viscardi’s commitment to anti-racism and meaningful inclusion.
Staff, program participants, and students honor Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community” by demonstrating a deep commitment to community service every day. Together, we’ve served 45 Viscardi families through our Adopt-a-Family program for the holidays. We’ve addressed food insecurity in our community throughout the pandemic by connecting families in need to essential goods through our campus food pantry. Students at the Henry Viscardi School, with support from their teachers and support staff, collected over 200 items for Island Harvest during a school-wide “Souper Bowl,” as well as wrote letters of appreciation and organized a virtual parade for members of our local VFW in Albertson on Veteran’s Day.
By empowering people with disabilities to serve their communities, The Viscardi Center underscores Dr. King’s belief that inclusive service is the key to “greatness:”
Yours in Service,
Chris
Chris Rosa, PhD
President & CEO, The Viscardi Center