Event is largest Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event in Wisconsin
January 14, 2016 (Milwaukee) — The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee will host its 19th annual Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Celebration Breakfast on Monday, January 18, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Italian
Conference Center, located at 631 East Chicago Street in Milwaukee. The breakfast program will celebrate the
life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and recognize local organizations dedicated to serving others, just
as Dr. King did.
“The Milwaukee Y is committed to strengthening communities by supporting values of social justice, diversity
and service — the same values shared by Dr. King,” said Julie Tolan, president and chief executive officer of
the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. “We believe that by partnering with other mission-driven organizations to
bring our life-enriching programming outside our walls and into the communities we’re helping to create a
stronger, healthier Milwaukee where families of all incomes and backgrounds truly thrive.”
This year’s Milwaukee YMCA Healthy Citizenship Award will be presented to the Milwaukee Center for
Independence, while The Potawatomi Hotel & Casino Diversity and Inclusion Award will be presented to Bread
of Healing Clinic. Both awardees provide much-needed health and wellness resources in some of Milwaukee’s
most underserved neighborhoods, working to reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities in the central city.
The breakfast program will also recognize the winners of this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spoken Word
Contest, sponsored by Northwestern Mutual Foundation and Jammin’ 98.3 Radio. Three finalists in each age
category (5-9 years, 10-13 years and 14-18 years) were selected after writing an original spoken word piece
based on the theme, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?” A panel of
judges then voted on the winning pieces. The first place in each category will present their original spoken word
piece during the Celebration Breakfast and each will receive a prize.
Again this year, the Milwaukee Y encourages everyone to make the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday, a “day
on” instead of a “day off,” by participating in volunteer community service at locations across the city on
Monday, January 18. To find a volunteer opportunity, visit http://www.volunteermilwaukee.org.
During the past year and a half, the Milwaukee Y has refocused its mission on its greatest areas of strength –
health and wellness and youth development. In addition to its center-based programming, the Milwaukee Y is
committed to being a vocal advocate for healthy families and partnering with other like-minded organizations to
improve the greater good in Milwaukee. As such, the organization plans to increase its community partnerships
and bring programming out of its centers and into the neighborhoods that need the Milwaukee Y the most.
Fundamentally, the new Milwaukee Y will be a champion for healthy living and will work to support families in
their efforts to lead healthy lives.
Aurora Health Care is the lead sponsor for this event. The cost to attend is $35 per person or $350 for a table
of 10.
For more information regarding this event, Jr., please contact Stephanie Allen at 414-274-0735 or by email at
sallen@ymcamke.org.
YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee
The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and
from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion to strengthen the foundations of community through
youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Since 1858, Milwaukee YMCAs have helped kids
and families live healthy lives in spirit, mind and body. Supported in part through contributions to the Annual
Campaign, the Y provides membership assistance and scholarships to programs like summer camp, child care
and teen activities, to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity
to be healthy, confident, connected and secure. www.ymcamke.org.