11/04/22 Shovels In, Construction Begins!

Updates from the MLK Community Center

Friday, November 4, 2022

The first shovels in! Pictured above (left to right): Marykate Bergen, Thomas Brendler and Elizabeth Lynn, of the van Beuren Charitable Foundation; Donald Christ of the Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust; and Heather Hole Strout, Betsy Blair and Jim Van Winkle

On Tuesday, November 1, the MLK held the Groundbreaking Ceremony to mark the start of the Center's redesign.

This building was once a USO and its overall size has not changed much in fifty years. We provided 144,000 meals in 2013 and over 657,000 meals last year, a 356% increase in just 8 years…in the same space. We are busting at the seams. The MLK Board recognized the need for a better building in our 2022-2024 Strategic Plan, but also knew we had to stay right here, in this building, in the heart of our community. Because of the generosity of the community of over 100 investors in the Building Hope Campaign, this project will transform the MLK.

Designed by architect Dan Herchenroether of HerkWorks, the project will add about 3,300 square feet to the Center. We will extend the building out about 30 feet to the sidewalk and build up on a flat roof at the back of the Center. On the first floor, the construction project will:

Make our Hunger Services more client-driven and efficient,
Create a welcoming exterior with space for programs and for clients to gather,
Double the size of the food pantry with a separate entrance and exit for better flow of people using the pantry,
Enlarge the lobby for client comfort,
Create a private space for new clients so the intake process reflects the respect and dignity we offer in all programs,
Centralize program offices for greater teamwork,
Double food storage, and cooler/freezer space,
Create a more efficient kitchen, and it will
Add a bay to our Loading Dock and doubling our space to efficiently receive food.

There will also be two important changes for our Preschool:

A dedicated bathroom will be added to the three-year-old classroom and
A new entrance will be added for safe and secure parent drop-off.

On the second floor, we will:

Reorient community space to allow privacy when programs require it,
Centralize administrative offices, and create 8 new offices and
Create a dedicated space for staff and community meetings.

We are thrilled to have Behan Brothers Construction, a local company embedded in this community for almost 50 years doing the work. Construction is projected for completion by late 2023.

The Building Hope Campaign took flight because of grants from two incredibly generous organizations in our community: the Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust and the van Beuren Charitable Foundation as well as outstanding efforts by the Building Hope Campaign Co-chairs, MLK board member Betsy Blair and Jim Van Winkle along with honorary chairs Representative Marvin Abney, Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Lisette Prince and Suzie Schochet.

If You Can,

Please Give to the Annual Appeal!

Donate Today and Double Your Impact!

Learn How Your Contributions Helped
Download the 2022 Annual Report By Clicking the Image Below

Holy Halloween Cuteness, Spiderman

Monday was a spooktacular day in Preschool. Children and teachers really showed their Halloween spirit!

The Preschool at the MLK is an affordable licensed educational program for children 3-5 years of age.

We still have 3 spaces still available in our 3 year old group. Children must be toilet-trained in order to attend.

Open: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily

Cost: $170 for 5 days; $136 for 4 days; $102 for 3 days.

Department of Human Service (“DHS”) childcare subsidies are accepted. Scholarships are available for families with demonstrated need. All are encouraged to apply.

Our program helped develop the RI Early Childhood Education Standards and was designated a Preschool Center of Excellence by the national Early Learning Reading First Program.

For more information, please contact: Tanya Gonzalez, Education Director at TGonzalez@MLKCCenter.org,

(401) 846-4828 x117

Download Preschool Registration Forms Here

Holiday Help
Hurry, the Deadline for Thanksgiving is Thursday!

November Senior Lunch & Learns

Travel to NACTC to Glam Up & Eat Good Food

On Wednesday, November 16, Senior Lunch & Learn is going on the road again!

Transportation will be provided from the MLK Center to the Newport Area Career and Technical Center (NACTC)

to experience their cosmetology salon and culinary arts program.

Services being offered include:
Scalp massage
Shampoo & cut
Shampoo & blow dry
Shampoo & rollers

This program gives students the opportunity to practice their skills. The MLK is offering this program free-of-charge for participants

Space is very limited. For day and time options and to register please contact Mel Saunders at: MSaunders@MLKCCenter.org or call 401-846-4828 ext.124

In The Pantry
Toothpaste and Toothbrushes

Did you know that poor dental hygiene is higher among low income families and those who are housing insecure? This puts many of our clients at greater risk or oral diseases which can lead to loss of function, physical pain, and lowered self-esteem. The MLK's pantry always tries to keep toothbrushes and toothpaste available for our clients, but our stock has dwindled and finding affordable solutions has been challenging. Please consider making a donation of toothbrushes and toothpaste. We also welcome mouthwash and dental floss.

We welcome donations

Monday – Friday

Between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

For speediest drop-offs, Tuesdays and Thursdays are best.

Click Here to Donate to the Pantry

Mobile Food Pantry Tracker

Next week the Potter League will join us at ALL LOCATIONS. You can find the mobile food pantry at:

Tuesday 11/08:

Festival Field, 90 Girard Ave., Newport RI 12-1

Thursday 11/10:

Pemberton, 45 Pemberton Ave., Jamestown 1:30-2:30

Bayside, 143 Third St., Newport 3-4

November Calendar
Look for Program Locations in Blue and Yellow

Please Read Parking Details Below

Download the Calendar

Parking at St. Paul's United Methodist Church:

Please only park in the front lot spaces, #5 through #11 along side the church, and #25 -#27 next to the garage.

There are 10 more spaces in St. Paul’s lot on the corner of Coddington St. and Charles St. behind the kitchen with a path around to the entry door.

If those are not enough spots, there are generally spots on Coddington, Charles and Farewell St. The city’s parking restrictions are no longer in effect this time of year.

Schedule Changes to Note

LiHeap (Heating Assistance) will be at the MLK Pantry the first Wednesday of every month December 2022 - March 2023, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
There are NO FRIDAY YOGA classes during November
The 11/22 LivFit Class has been cancelled
The MLK will be closed on Friday, November 11 in honor of Veteran's Day. Due to this, there is no MLK Friends Lunch this month
The MLK will be closed on 11/24 and 11/25 for the Thanksgiving holiday