MLK Jr Annual Community Breakfast

QCC and Assumption University will host the 42nd Annual Community Breakfast honoring The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 19, 2026. Doors open at 7 a.m. and the program begins promptly at 8 a.m.

Location: Assumption University - Plourde Recreation Center, 500 Salisbury St. Worcester, MA. Shuttle service from the parking lots to the Plourde Recreation Center will be provided by the WRTA.

Keynote Speaker

Jennifer Davis Carey served as Executive Director of the Worcester Education Collaborative from 2010-2025, an independent, non-partisan education advocacy and action organization. She holds master’s and doctoral degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a bachelor’s degree from Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges. A veteran educator, matters related to equity and inclusion have centered her work. She has served in a variety of positions in the K-12 and higher education sectors including Director of Minority Recruitment at Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, Director of College Counseling and Director of Diversity at Bancroft School. In 1998 she entered state service and served the Commonwealth through 2009. She held a variety of senior positions including Secretary of Elder Affairs. Deeply engaged in the Worcester community, Dr. Carey has served on a number of boards in the city. A practicing artist, her work has appeared in numerous galleries in Worcester. She has also shown at the Fitchburg (Massachusetts) Art Museum, the Salmon Falls Gallery, the Danforth Museum, Arts Worcester in Massachusetts and the Museum of Friends in Colorado.

Day of Service Opportunities

Local organizations will be in attendance at this year’s Breakfast so guests can sign up for future volunteer opportunities to keep the spirit of MLK, Jr. Day alive throughout the year. An important part of the Breakfast will be collecting new, age-appropriate books related to MLK or for second and third grade students in Worcester and Fitchburg public schools – books they can take home, enjoy, and be proud of. Please bring a new book with you to the Breakfast.

Worcester Area Mission Society and United Congregational Church Logos

Worcester Area Mission Society (WAMS) and United Congregational Church

As part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Breakfast, the Worcester Area Mission Society (WAMS) and United Congregational Church are collecting new books for second and third grade public school students in Worcester Public Schools. Age-appropriate books are needed on Dr. King, other civil rights leaders, or justice and equity topics. Books can be dropped off at the Worcester Area Mission Society, 6 Institute Rd., Worcester, Monday -Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., or by appointment until the end of February. Tax-deductible donations can be made at the Breakfast or on the WAMS website. WAMS will use all money donated to this drive to buy the needed books. For more information, contact Karen Ludington at 978.660.4915.

YMCA and MLK Community Breakfast Committee

In honor of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the YMCA and MLK Community Breakfast Committee are looking for volunteers to assemble kits for foster children. Kits will include pajamas, a toothbrush, and a message from the Community. Please join us on Monday, January 20, 2025, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at YMCA’s Greendale Family Branch. For more information about this volunteer opportunity contact Christina Puleo at cpuleo@ymcaofcm.org.

Empowering People for Inclusive Communities (EPIC)

Empowering People for Inclusive Communities (EPIC) is hosting and inviting volunteers who are interested in completing several different projects. We are meeting on Monday, January 20, at the Pakachoag Center, 203 Pakachoag St., Auburn, MA, from 10 am - 2 pm. We are decorating lunch bags for Meal On Wheels, assembling activity books for children and resource books for families, and making no-sew scarves. We are asking people to donate travel-sized toiletry items and menstrual products. For more information contact Krystal Linn at klinn@epicleaders.org or 617.917.5183.