Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

Our newest outreach partner, the staff and teachers of MLK work ensure success for their students by creating an inquiry-based learning environment where they question and investigate the world around them. Middle school is a critical link between adolescence and young adulthood, where a ministry of presence makes all the difference. Current volunteer opportunities include male volunteers who support staff and assist students during class transitions and reading buddies for 6th graders. Volunteer opportunities start at one hour a week.

Richmonders Involved to Strengthen our Communities (RISC)

RISC (riscrichmond.com) is a justice ministry organization of twenty-two congregations in Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield. Founded in 2002 RISC uses the power of large numbers of people to hold public officials accountable and to solve critical community problems. 

RISC follows a yearly process that focuses on building a justice ministry network in congregations. In the fall, Team Leaders host House Meetings to discuss community problems and engage participants. From November through March, Issue Committees are formed to conduct research into the problems, and ultimately come up with specific, winnable solutions. The Nehemiah Action Assembly is held in the spring, where thousands from the partner congregations gather to ask public officials to implement these solutions. After the Nehemiah Action, leaders follow up on the commitments made at the Action, and Network Members are invited to invest in RISC.