There’s nothing quite like rolling up your sleeves with neighbors and friends to honor a great legacy. This past MLK Day of Service, four outstanding AmeriCorps programs joined forces at The Franciscan Center in Tampa to embody Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of unity and service.
With 8 acres of lush grounds in need of care, 35 AmeriCorps members and community volunteers came together for a mission of restoration and renewal. Programs like Operation: Veteran Connect, The City of Tampa Green Team, Metropolitan Ministries Mobile Brigade, and ReDefiners World Languages lent their strength and spirit to clear debris and beautify the grounds. It’s more than just sprucing up a space, it’s about transforming it into a sanctuary for healing.
The Franciscan Center is home to Operation: Restore, a free weekend retreat for first responders and veterans grappling with trauma. By working hand-in-hand to restore this vital facility, volunteers ensured that it remains a haven of hope for those who give so much to their communities.
This remarkable day of action was a testament to what we can achieve when we come together with shared purpose. To everyone who showed up, pitched in, and carried forward Dr. King’s dream of service and collaboration, thank you for making a difference in such a meaningful way!