Each January, we pause to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—a leader whose words continue to echo across generations. For many, this day has become known as a Day of Service, a reminder that Dr. King’s work was never about recognition alone, but about action rooted in love, justice, and courage.
Dr. King believed deeply in the power of ordinary people to create extraordinary change. He reminded us that everyone can serve—not because they have power, privilege, or position, but because they have a heart capable of compassion. Service, in Dr. King’s vision, was not limited to grand gestures. It lived in everyday choices: standing up when something is wrong, caring for neighbors, building community, and refusing to stay silent in the face of injustice.
Since its founding, Penny Lane Centers has been an agency of action. We do not sit by—we act. And we do so with empathy, compassion, and a deep desire to transform lives. This commitment shows up in many ways, including our EDGY and Rise Up conferences, where we intentionally lift up the voices of marginalized communities and create spaces for courageous conversation, learning, and collective action. In these moments, we carry forward Dr. King’s call to confront injustice with both truth and love. One can imagine Dr. King standing right alongside us as we amplify these voices and push for a more just and inclusive world.
That work does not stop at conferences or special events—it lives in our daily practice. As each of you work with clients, advocate for their care, connect families to critical resources, and listen with open hearts, you are doing the work Dr. King championed not so long ago. You are meeting people where they are, honoring their dignity, and walking with them toward hope and healing.
Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” On this MLK Day—and beyond—may we each find our own answer. Not just in words, but in meaningful, sustained action.
Let us honor Dr. King not only by remembering his dream, but by continuing to live it together.
-Judy Grant, Penny Lane Centers
