Opportunities From: Get Connected

New City Cleveland is addressing the need for a clean, organized, and functional storage area to support year-round volunteer and community programs serving the Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood. The Church of the Transfiguration, located on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, has generously donated a large walk-in closet to serve as the new storage space for New City Cleveland’s program equipment, including WorkDay tools, MamaStrong family resources, and SummerStrong outdoor play supplies. However, the space currently contains unused church items and requires significant cleaning, organization, and minor renovation before it can be safely and effectively utilized. Without accessible storage, program staff and volunteers have struggled to locate tools and supplies for neighborhood improvement projects, family support programs, and youth activities, especially during winter months when outdoor workdays are limited.

By transforming this space on MLK Day, volunteers will create a centralized, well-organized storage hub that strengthens New City Cleveland’s ability to serve families throughout the year. The project also honors Dr. King’s legacy of service and community empowerment by bringing neighbors together for a hands-on effort that transforms an unused area into a shared resource for the better, right on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

On MLK Day 2026, New City Cleveland will mobilize approximately 20-25 volunteers for a four-hour service event at the Church of the Transfiguration on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in the Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood. Together, volunteers will transform a donated storage room into a clean, safe, and organized supply hub to support New City Cleveland’s year-round community programs.

" Feed The Dream" Community Service Project Focus: food security and community unity.

Read the Dream: Youth-Led MLK Day Experience – Volunteer Opportunity

Christ Tabernacle is excited to host the Read the Dream: Youth-Led MLK Day Experience, a free, community-centered MLK Day celebration made possible through a ServeOhio grant.

This event will take place on Saturday, January 17 from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM at Christ Tabernacle and is designed to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through literacy, creativity, unity, and service. This youth-led experience invites children, teens, and families to engage in meaningful activities that reflect Dr. King’s dream, including storytime sessions, a youth art and writing gallery, hands-on service projects, a reflection wall, and a Youth Basketball Clinic for students in 3rd grade and up led by Coach Mike Hill.

The basketball clinic will emphasize teamwork, discipline, leadership, and unity—values that align with Dr. King’s message and our church’s mission. Volunteers play a vital role in creating a welcoming, safe, and impactful environment for our families and youth. We are seeking volunteers to serve in the following areas: Storytime support and reading buddies Art gallery setup, hosting, and guidance Service project stations (kindness cards, food pantry bags, encouragement crafts) Basketball clinic support Hospitality, check-in, and guest welcome Event setup and cleanup Whether you enjoy working directly with children, assisting behind the scenes, or welcoming families as they arrive, there is a place for you to serve.

Your support helps us model Christ’s love, empower our youth, and honor Dr. King’s legacy through action. Thank you for being willing to serve and help make this day meaningful for our church and community.

Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Cleveland, OH

Immersive MLK Experience: Equity in Environmentalism
Sponsored by ServeOHIO

Tuesday, January 27 | 6-8 PM
Visit the Nature Center as we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and learn about the importance of connecting people of all backgrounds through meaningful, restorative action in nature while centering racial equity in our efforts.

Join our Natural Resources team to participate in a seed washing workshop. From colorful wildflowers to beneficial grasses, shrubs and trees, all our seeds are native to the Northeast Ohio area.  In the workshop, learn about the value of native plants and how to process native seeds. 

After processing, the seeds become part of our Native Seed Library, which is a community resource providing free seeds and gardening information to both newbies and seasoned pros.  Using the Seed Library, you can create your own habitat—whether it’s a whole garden or a single flowerpot—allowing you to enjoy the wonders of nature.  Registration required. Free.

Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Cleveland, OH

Immersive MLK Experience: Equity in Environmentalism
Sponsored by ServeOHIO

Saturday, January 17 | Hike: 10-11 AM, Lecture: 11 AM-12 PM
Join the Nature Center as we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and learn about the importance of connecting people of all backgrounds through meaningful, restorative action in nature while centering racial equity in our efforts.

Experience the beauty of our grounds in winter on a guided hike with local GirlTREK member, Jo Rattiliff, who will highlight the mental and physical health benefits of outdoor activity year-round.

Afterwards, enjoy an informative lecture from Yvonka Hall, executive director of the Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition, on environmental justice.  Registration required for each activity. Free. 

Our high school leadership students and winter sport athletes are compiling camp bags for  sixth students who will be going to an outdoor education camp the first week of February.  These bags will include toiletries, gloves, hats, socks, and boots for those students in need.

We will be constructing a 72' fence on the Nature Trail behind the Dog Park. 

This project will provide food and hygiene items to low-income and unhoused members of our community. Our food pantries have been struggling to keep up with the increase in demand and often hygiene items are not readily available. We have a growing number of student families that do not have feminine products, tooth brushes, toothpaste, deodorant etc. and the school is attempting to fill that need but our supplies are exhausted. By providing both food and hygienic items we are meeting the most essential needs while helping to restore dignity to those in our community who are struggling. In addition to the food and hygiene items provided we will provide information on other resources in the community so that they will have additional support readily available.

This project is funded by Serve Ohio in collaboration with the Eastern Local School District.

The Worthington Resource Pantry will purchase $1,000 worth of bulk feminine hygiene pads to create Dignity Packs for distribution to neighbors in need. Volunteers will work together to sort, count, and repackage the pads into smaller, ready-to-distribute bundles that can be easily accessed through the Pantry’s Choice Shopping Area and Homebound Delivery program.

This hands-on service project will give volunteers, particularly youth and community groups, the opportunity to directly support women and girls facing period poverty. In addition to assembling the packs, volunteers will assist with labeling, organizing, and stocking the Pantry shelves to ensure the products are accessible to all who need them. The project will benefit women, girls, and aging women across northern Franklin and southern Delaware County who face financial barriers to accessing menstrual hygiene products.

These Dignity Packs will serve hundreds of local households who turn to the Worthington Resource Pantry each month for essential items. In addition, volunteers will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing their community and the importance of equitable access to personal care essentials.

This project will entail building a gazebo structure with swings for the rest and reflection of older adults and families visiting the Preble County Historical Society and Nature Reserve.