UPDATES FROM THE MLK COMMUNITY CENTER
Friday, July 29, 2022
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Live From the Loading Dock: Kera Washington and the Zili Misik Trio
Save the Date: August 17 at 4:30 pm
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Here is a show you don’t want to miss! Kera Washington, pictured here, is a percussionist, vocalist and band leader who founded Zili Misik in 2000. They have been bridging cultures, generations, and continents for over 20 years. This all female band performs an acoustic & electronic fusion of roots music of the African diaspora. With captivating sounds that evoke the African continent, Zili retraces routes of forced exile and cultural resistance through rhythm and song. Powerful Haitian, Brazilian and West African rhythms infuse Zili’s original creations and traditional folksongs. Reconnecting Haitian mizik rasin, Jamaican roots reggae, Afro-Brazilian samba, Afro-Cuban son, and African American spirituals, blues, jazz, and neo soul, Zili Misik honors its influences while creating a sound that is uniquely its own: New World Soul.
Zili has opened for M. Lauryn Hill, India.Arie, Shaggy, Boukman Eksperyans, Les Nubians, and Zap Mama, and has toured with Queen Omega (TYT), State Radio and Tony Brown (US); performed with Queen Ifrica (Jamaica) and Emeline Michel (Haiti); and performs regularly at colleges, schools, festivals, & performing arts venues throughout the United States and internationally.
This concert is free-of-charge and as always, food will be served. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket and don’t forget your dancing shoes!
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Centennial Hunger Challenge
July 22 – August 22 (Or Until We Reach Our Goal!)
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With rising costs for food, gas, rent, and almost everything else, more people are using the pantry than ever before. Thanks to a generous friend, we have a chance to double the impact of your donation. For every dollar or pound of food you give, they will match it with another dollar. Help us meet the challenge by August 22, or sooner!
As of 7/27, just five days in, we have received $3650 and 601 pounds of food! Please keep those donations coming!
Drop off food at our pantry Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 5 pm and mention this campaign or make a monetary donation here:
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Rides on RIPTA
FREE Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Routes
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Did you know RIPTA has a new, free, hop-on, hop-off bus service in Newport?! The route 68 service can help you get to the MLK Center to join us for breakfast, pick up produce or use the pantry, join us for free health classes from cooking to exercise, and much more.
This service can also help get people to DHS, Newport County Mental Health and more. Sending a thank you to the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island for sponsoring this route. To learn more about this service and other free hop-on hop-off buses, visit RIPTA.
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Summer Fitness Challenge
Spaces Now Available for Remaining 4 Weeks
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Did you miss the first two weeks of the Summer Fitness Challenge? No worries! You can sign up now for the remaining 4 weeks.
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Senior Lunch & Learn: A Painting Party with Kenny Blane & Special Guests
Wednesday, August 3
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Please join us next Wednesday, August 3, at 12:00 pm for Senior Lunch & Learn.
This lunch series is free-of-charge, geared towards adults aged 55 years and older, and is offered at noon on the first and third Wednesdays of every month.
This week’s program is a painting party with local artist Kenny Blane. We are also thrilled that a group of campers from Sankofa Community Connection will be joining in the fun, making this session an intergenerational experience.
As for food, it will be an Italian rice salad with tuna, cornbread, and tapioca pudding with blueberries.
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Preschool Registration Now Open
Only 7 Spaces Left for 3 Year Olds
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The Preschool at the MLK is an affordable licensed educational program for children 3-5 years of age.
Currently, there are only 7 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.
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For more information, please contact: Tanya Gonzalez, Education Director
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Tickets Now Available for Our Centennial Celebration
Don’t Miss the Party of the Century
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Centennial Celebration
Thursday, September 8, 2022
5:30 – 9:30 pm
Fort Adams State Park
Food Stations from McGrath Catering
Dancing to renowned World Premier Band
Fire Pits | Lawn Games | Drinks (2 tix provided) | Ages 18+
Tickets: $100, $50, $0
Thanks to our generous sponsors, we are able to offer tiered ticket pricing for those who need it. Pay what you can.
This is a fun, casual-dress party on the North Lawn.
It’s NOT a fundraiser. Please don’t let money stop you from attending.
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A Look Back in Time
Celebrating our Centennial
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THEN and NOW:
Does this building look familiar? This photo dates from the 1940s, when the building was a USO and known as the West Broadway Armed Services YMCA. Today, the building houses the MLK Community Center.
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Year-Round Job Opportunities at MLK: Join Our Team!
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We are now accepting applications for:
Lead Preschool Teacher
Preschool Assistant Teacher
Summer Camp Counselor 21+
If you or someone you know wants to join our team, please visit our website to learn more about each role and how to apply.
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HERE TO HELP
Online registration is open: Register for Zumba, “Toning in ’22,” Yoga, Lunch & Learn, and Sabores Latinos online! With this system, you can conveniently register, reschedule, and cancel appointments at your convenience. We suggest you make an account for easy account management (after you sign up, it will prompt you). If you aren’t able to register online, you are always able to contact Mel via email or by phone to register: (401) 846-4828 x124.
- Breakfast: Mon – Fri, 7:30 – 9:00 am. Grab & go, or dine-in. (Edward St. entrance)
- Food Pantry: Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am – 2 pm; Wed evenings 4 pm – 6 pm
- Food 2 Friends delivery for homebound seniors. Contact Jose for more info
- Mobile Food Pantry delivers food to communities throughout Newport County. Schedule
- Daily Bread: Bread and other baked goods available free of charge Mon – Fri at the Marcus Wheatland Blvd entrance, while supplies last
- Produce to the People: weekly vegetable distribution on Tuesdays at Newport Heights 11am-1pm; the MLK Center, Thursdays 10 am to 1 pm or while supplies last; Fridays at Oxbow Farms, Middletown 11am – 1pm
- Grab & Go Lunch: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 am to 1 pm. Free! Rotating menu
- Preschool for registered students. DHS accepted & generous scholarships available. Contact Tanya by email or by phone: (401) 846-4828 x117.
- After School program for registered elementary school students. DHS accepted & generous scholarships available. Contact Jeanine by email or by phone: (401) 846-4828 x209
- LEAD – Peer Group for LGBTQQ+ Youth: On Wednesdays at 3 pm, LGBTQQ+ youth are invited to join the LEAD Youth Peer Group at the MLK (L.E.A.D. = Love, Equity, Acceptance, and Dreams). No RSVP necessary. Please contact Mel with any questions: via email or call (401) 846-4828 x124.
- Yoga Class: Yoga is offered at the Center every Tuesday and Friday at 8:30 am. All skill levels & all community members welcome! RSVP online or with Mel: email or call (401) 846-4828 x124
- Toning in ’22 Fitness Class: Every Wednesday at 8:30 am, this full-body workout aims to improve balance, bone health, flexibility, and strength of participants in a safe, welcoming, and fun environment. All skill-levels & all community members welcome. RSVP online or with Mel: email or call (401) 846-4828 x124
- Zumba Fitness Class: Every Monday morning at 8:30 am. All skill levels & all community members welcome. RSVP online or with Mel: email or call (401) 846-4828 x124.
- Free, Safe, and Confidential HIV & Hep C Testing: Get tested for HIV & Hep C at the MLK by appointment every 2nd and 3rd Thursday of the month from 12 – 2 pm. This program is held in a confidential, private setting, separated from other Center programming. Participants are welcome to enter through the Center’s Edward St entrance, where someone from APRI will meet you at your appointment time. To make an appointment: Call or email APRI: (401) 831-5522
- Sabores Latinos: Todos los lunes a las 5 de la tarde, los que hablan español están invitados a Sabores Latinos, el club de cocinar de MLK ofrecido en español. Los participantes exploran recetas de todo el mundo latino, cocinan junto al instructor y se llevan a casa una comida para compartir con sus familias. Todos los que hablan español están invitados a atender y compartir. RSVP online : email : (401) 846-4828.
- LivFit Cooking & Nutrition: Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5 pm. to approximately 6 pm. Participants explore healthy, low-cost recipes using ingredients commonly found in the food pantry. Participants cook alongside the instructor, take home a meal for their families, and learn a new recipe. RSVPs required with Kristin via email or text (401) 368-7614
- Lunch & Learn: Registered seniors can enjoy a hearty meal, socialization, and a fun activity or informative speaker every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 12 pm. RSVP online or via email, or call (401) 846-4828
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, presented by the Bazarsky Family Foundation in partnership with the MLK Community Center, puts books into the hands and hearts of children all across Newport County. They partner with local communities to mail a hand-selected, age-appropriate, high-quality book each month to registered children from birth to age five, completely free of cost & regardless of family income. Registration & more info
- Food Pantry Donations: We accept donations of non-perishable food, fresh produce, household cleaning and personal care items at our loading dock Mon – Fri 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Please ring the bell upon arrival.
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