News

AFS Expands Yearly King Day of Service to Include a Social Justice Symposium

On Monday, January 20, Abington Friends School (AFS) will host Let Your Life Speak: King Day of Service & Social Justice Symposium. For many years the School has invited the local community together for a day of service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and worked with volunteers from across the region on behalf of those in need. This year, for the first time, Abington Friends School is expanding the day to include a social justice symposium to further embrace Dr. King’s vision and mission. In addition to service projects, the day will include workshops, a panel on navigating local politics, a resource fair and a special closing program.

WHEN: Monday, January 20, 2020

Schedule for the day
9 to 10 a.m. – Registration and Opening Program
10:15 a.m to 12:30 p.m. – Service Projects
10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. – Symposium Session 1
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Symposium Session 2
12:30 p.m. – Snack/Lunch Break (food available for purchase, a packed lunch is encouraged)
1 to 1:45 p.m. – Closing Program Performance, King’s Dream by Key Arts
All-day – Resource Fair & Gently Used Clothing Sale

Ideal time for media coverage: 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Abington Friends School campus (575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, Pa.) Activities also take part at Girard College and A Step Up Academy and there are at-home projects available. Head of School, Rich Nourie will be available for interviews, along with organizers Andrea Emmons, Lower School Director and Mikael Yirsael, Director of Diversity and Inclusion.

REGISTRATION & INFORMATION: www.abingtonfriends.net/dayofservice

A Sampling of Service Projects: 

A Sampling of Symposium Panels/Workshops: 

  • Start Where You Are: Navigating Local Politics with Jay Conners, Chair of the Jenkintown Democrats; Kimberly McGlonn, Jenkintown Borough Councilwoman and CEO & Founder of Grant Blvd; and Representative Ben Sanchez, 153rd District, Montgomery County
  • Radical Love: Moving from Ally to Accomplice presented by Mikael Yisrael, AFS Director of Diversity and Inclusion
  • Curiosity and Diversity: Having Difficult Conversations With Children presented by AFS Lower School teachers Carol Wolf and Raji Malik.

Abington Friends School is a coeducational, college-preparatory school deeply rooted in Quaker values for students age 3 through Grade 12. Photos available upon request.