Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Next Monday, January 18th, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy. A vital figure in many of our lives, Dr. King’s speeches stirred the concern and sparked the conscience of a generation. The movements and marches he led brought significant changes in the fabric of American life through his courage and selfless devotion.

This devotion gave direction to thirteen years of civil rights activities. His charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old, in this nation and around the world. His stirring speeches can still move us today. View photos and video of Dr. King at www.thekingcenter.com.

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service. The King Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, and addresses social problems in honor of Dr. King. Dr. Martin Luther King devoted his life’s work to causes of equality and social justice. He taught that through nonviolence and service to one another, problems such as hunger and homelessness, prejudice and discrimination can be overcome. Dr. King’s teachings can continue to guide us in addressing our nation’s and Commonwealth’s most pressing needs - poverty, economic insecurity, job loss and education.

Volunteer with Americans across the nation on the 2010 King Day of Service and make a real difference in your community. For more information, visit http://www.mlkday.gov/.
 

Pittsburgh Project’s Home Repair Ministry

Each summer, The Pittsburgh Project volunteers work in the community to provide free home repairs. Although work teams are not professional contractors, they can handle painting, dry walling, carpentry and some masonry, roofing and plumbing. Since 1985, the volunteers have helped more than 1,200 volunteers, working on as many as 150 homes each summer.

If you (1) own your home and live in it, (2) live in the City of Pittsburgh or neighboring borough; and (3) can document that your household income is at or below 150% of the 2008 Federal Poverty Guidelines, you can apply for work to be done on your home. Applications for Summer 2010 will be reviewed up until February 28, 2010. Priority is given to candidates who exhibit poor health due to disability or illness and/or are age 60 and older.

Work teams include teenage and adult volunteers, and able-bodied family members (over the age of 11) of the homeowners are encouraged to help. The organization is always looking for more volunteers.

For more information and to apply, contact Lauren Albert, Homeowner Services Associate, at 412-321-1678 or visit www.pittsburghproject.org and click on “Homeowner Services.”
 

Time to Submit Your FAFSA

The 2010-11 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available and can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or www.PHEAA.org/FAFSA. Families with students who will be beginning college in 2010 are encouraged to complete and submit the FAFSA as soon as possible to ensure prompt processing of their application. The deadline for the PA State Grant is May 1st, but many schools have earlier financial aid deadlines so families should check with possible schools for their deadlines.

The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal grants, the need-based PA State Grant, many scholarships, reduced-cost federal student loans and work-study programs.
 

FAFSA and Tax Help Available

Families that have children in their junior or senior years in Pittsburgh Public Schools or city charter schools may be eligible for free tax preparation and help filling out the federal financial aid application from the Pittsburgh Promise. Families that have incomes of $52,000 or less are eligible for the services. Parents of eligible students will be sent postcards with additional details. Services will be offered at four workshops city-wide, beginning next month.

The Promise provides scholarships of up to $20,000 to graduates of district high schools and charter schools who meet certain enrollment and academic criteria. Beginning with the Class of 2012, the maximum scholarship will increase to $40,000.
 

Fontana Fact

Pittsburgh’s first general public hospital, “The Mercy,” opened on Stevenson Street in January 1847.