Cal Poly Humboldt hosts MLK Day of service for community

Cal Poly Humboldt’s Youth Educational Services (Y.E.S.) will bring students, staff, faculty and community members together for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of service on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. The event will run from 8 a.m. to noon and include volunteer projects both on campus and at community sites across Humboldt County.

Volunteers were asked to register by Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, at yes.humboldt.edu/mlk. Organizers plan to provide transportation to worksites, breakfast snacks, coffee and tea for participants. The morning is positioned as an opportunity to translate the MLK legacy of service and solidarity into hands-on support for local needs while strengthening campus-community partnerships.

For residents of Arcata, Eureka and the surrounding towns, the day offers a convenient way to plug into civic life on a federal holiday when many agencies and offices are closed. Campus-affiliated service events also serve as practical experience for students in community-engaged learning and can help nonprofit partners accomplish short-term projects that free resources for ongoing programs.

The timing in mid-January comes during the typical winter respiratory season. Organizers are encouraging volunteers to follow common-sense precautions: stay home if ill, practice good hand hygiene and consider masks if you are immunocompromised or in close contact with vulnerable people. Providing breakfast and shared transportation underscores the need for organizers and volunteers to balance hospitality with health safeguards.

Beyond the immediate projects, the day is a reminder that service events can surface longer-standing gaps in county supports. Bringing campus volunteers into community sites can help address near-term needs, but sustained progress on housing, food security, youth services and health equity requires ongoing coordination among Cal Poly Humboldt, community groups and local government. Events like Y.E.S.’s Day of Service can deepen relationships that lead to more sustained, equitable partnerships.

If you missed the Jan. 14 registration deadline, check yes.humboldt.edu/mlk for updates, standby opportunities or contact information for Y.E.S. Participation on Jan. 19 will be a practical way for Humboldt County residents to honor Dr. King’s call for service while connecting with neighbors and local organizations; for many students and community volunteers, the morning could also spark longer-term civic involvement in countywide recovery and resilience efforts.