Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Highlights Importance of Volunteers

Jan. 18, 2016 - PRLog -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'"

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, his question is as important as ever. People across the country not only help to empower and strengthen their communities today, but recommit themselves to service throughout the year.

The St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center (https://www.svsfcenter.org/) (SVSF) is one of many local organizations that provide opportunities to serve others here in Detroit. The volunteers at SVSF provide free, personalized, educational support to children in grades 1-5. What better way to serve others than by giving the gift of education to young people as they prepare for their futures? Additionally, the volunteers also help adults studying for their GED.

“The volunteers profoundly affect the lives of the children and adults they help,” explains Diane Renaud, Executive Director/CEO of SVSF. “They help each person in a very personal way so the person makes progress, gains confidence and proceeds to the next level of education or to a job. That achievement is immeasurable to the community.”

The children’s program is after school from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday – Thursday, at the main SVSF campus in Northwest Detroit. SVSF staff train and supervise the volunteers who work one-on-one with the children, providing individual tutoring in reading and STEM studies (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Volunteers also help young students during SVSF’s summer program.

SVSF offers the GED program for adults at four locations across Detroit.

“The more volunteers that come forward, the more of a different we can make together in the lives of children and adults,” says Renaud.

If you are interested in helping to make a difference in our community, please contact Beth Kraft, beth.kraft@svsfcenter.org, (313) 535-9200, ext. 3104, or visit svsfcenter.org.  All volunteers receive orientation and training, and are assisted daily by the center’s dedicated staff.

St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center began in 1844 as St. Vincent’s Academy in Detroit, a kindergarten for orphaned children. The organization evolved through the years and moved to Farmington Hills, establishing an adoption/foster care residence for children. In 2006, when policies and the economy changed, the Center closed its residential doors, but wanted to continue to fulfill its mission of serving at-risk children and adults. Identifying the significant need, the Center returned to Detroit and its roots of education, and now provides free, personalized educational support for children and adults. These programs are designed to help build self-sufficiency skills for academic and employment success, personal achievement and dignity. Visit www.svsfcenter.org to learn more.