Jan 19th 2026 CAMBRIDGE, MA— Many Helping Hands 365 (MHH365) will bring the community together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a citywide Day of Service and Learning.

The day will open with a Welcoming Ceremony at 2:00 pm at historic Central Square Church, where Dr. King addressed the Cambridge community in 1960. Local high school students will recite Dr. King’s words, accompanied by music led by singer Krystal Ray and members of the Central Square Church choir.

Following the ceremony, volunteers will take part in hands-on service projects throughout Central Square and at partner sites, creating fleece blankets and scarves, writing valentines for isolated elders and veterans, and sorting food, clothing, books, and personal care kits. These efforts support homeless children, teens, adults, and homebound seniors across Cambridge, Somerville, and neighboring communities. Each year, this event benefits thousands of individuals served by more than 70 local organizations.

In addition to hands-on service projects, MHH365 will host three Community Teach-ins at the newly opened Street Theory Collective, in Central Square, focused on rank choice voting, proposed same day voter registration, and standing up for ourselves and our immigrant neighbors. 

You are invited to these teach-ins rooted in interactive learning, hope and community. Together, we will honor Dr. King’s vision of democracy not as a spectator activity, but as a shared responsibility sustained by community commitment.

In 1956, when the Montgomery Bus Boycott came to a successful end after a year of disciplined, collective effort, Dr. King reminded us that change is not won by isolated acts, but by people moving together with purpose and persistence.  A decade later, in 1966, Dr. King called for a “March on Ballot Boxes,” urging communities to transform moral conviction into political power grounded in participation, fairness, and justice. This MLK Day, we will gather in the same spirit to learn more about how current systems work, how they might work better, and how we can protect one another while continuing to build the beloved community.  Specifically, we will deepen our understanding of how ranked choice voting works, using Cambridge’s system as a model; learn about an election reform proposal to allow same day voter registration in Massachusetts; and address community safety for all. 

All sessions are free and open to registered attendees.  

From Montgomery seventy year ago to the ballot box today, Dr. King’s legacy teaches us that progress comes when people act together with courage and discipline. This MLK Day, we will learn and connect in hope and collective action.

COMMUNITY TEACH-INS SCHEDULE
Street Theory Collective, 541 Massachusetts Ave.

2:20-2:40 Jeff Robinson, Saxophonist, Radio Host, and Actor will play sax as doors open to welcome in attendees. Diego Sarmiento, Director, SAYVote, and Harvard Law ’28 will start the programming 
and will moderate.

2:40-3:20   
Understanding Cambridge’s Ranked Choice Voting System
Thomas Stohlman and Larry Ward, Members, Cambridge Election Commission 

3:30-4:10   
Examining Proposed Same Day Voter Registration in Massachusetts
Geoff Foster, Exec. Dir., Common Cause Massachusetts, and Janet Domenitz, Exec. Dir., MASSPIRG

4:20-5:00   
Community Safety: Standing Up For Our Immigrant Neighbors & Ourselves
Elaine Almquist, Founder & Principal, Almquist & Associates

MLK DAY SCHEDULE

January 11–18
Neighborhood and local business food, book, and clothing collections benefiting local nonprofits. Sign for drives HERE

Monday, January 19 , MLK DAY!  REGISTER  HERE 

2:00 pm –   Welcoming Ceremony, Central Square Church 
2:30–5:00 pm – Hands-on Service Projects at City Hall, Senior Center, YWCA, and Central Square Church

2:30–5:00 pm – Community Teach-ins, Street Theory Collective, 541 Massachusetts Ave. 

Doors Open at 2:20. Register and come to one or all three teach-ins!

2:40-3:20   Understanding Cambridge’s Ranked Choice Voting System

3:30-4:10   Same Day Voter Registration in Massachusetts

4:20-5:00   Community Safety & Standing up for our Immigrant Neighbors.

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COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Cambridge Arts • Cambridge Community Foundation • Central Square Church • Central Square BID • City of Cambridge • My Brother’s Keeper Cambridge • YWCA Cambridge

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Contact: hello@manyhelpinghands365.org
More info: ManyHelpingHands365.org
#MHH365 #MHH365MLKDay