MLK Day of Service: Richmond Unites for Community Climate Action Day

Community Climate Action Day combines the forces of California Service Corps and hundreds of volunteers during day of service

RICHMOND, Calif. – Today, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday joined Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez, local leaders, community organizations, California Service Corps members and volunteers for a day of climate action during the 17th Annual MLK Day of Service in Richmond honoring the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Volunteers, fellows, community organizations and local and state leaders joined together today to take action against our greatest existential threat — climate change. It is a testament to the power of service to unite us and create real, lasting change,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “California will continue to lead and engage our communities in climate action because we need everyone involved.” 

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday joins California Service Corps Members for climate action activities during Community Climate Action Day at Richmond Greenway in Richmond.

California Volunteers, Office of the Governor partnered with the City of Richmond, Urban Tilth, The Watershed Project and other organizations to host the event held at Richmond Greenway. These organizations provide ongoing support throughout the year, transforming the Richmond Greenway into a green space to support community connection and outdoor recreation. On this significant day, event partners and volunteers honored Dr. King’s legacy of advocating for racial equality, justice, community, aid and an end to discrimination. “On MLK Day, Richmond honors Dr. King’s legacy through action, embodying his vision of community service and social justice. Our collaboration with California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, Urban Tilth and The Watershed Project is a testament to our city’s commitment to these ideals, ensuring a brighter, more equitable future for our residents,” said Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez. During the event, hundreds of California Service Corps Members and volunteers tended the Greenway Gardens and planted trees and native plants. After the service activity, volunteers gathered at Unity Park to pay respect to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. The event ended with music and food at Richmond Greenway.

California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton and Richmond Councilmember Doria Robinson unite to plant trees and native plants at California Community Climate Action Day in Richmond.

“As civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis often said, the best way to honor the birthday of his friend and mentor Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is not a national ‘day off’ but a national ‘day on,’ a day of service,” said State Senator Nancy Skinner. “What better way to pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. King than to tend Richmond’s Greenway Gardens and take local action in the fight against climate change.” Governor Gavin Newsom launched California Climate Action Corps in 2020 as the nation’s first state-level climate service corps with the mission of empowering Californians to take meaningful action to protect their homes, health and communities against the harshest impacts of climate change.“Today, we honor Dr. King’s legacy by standing united in the urgent fight against climate change and showing how the power of service can create real, enduring change,” said State Assemblymember Buffy Wicks. “This day represents our ongoing commitment to lead our state forward in climate action and it is my hope that every Californian will join this critical cause.” California Service Corps is the largest service force in the nation, larger than the Peace Corps. It is administered by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor and is made up of #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps, California Climate Action Corps and AmeriCorps California. “Our community came together to fight climate change and make our local neighborhoods healthier, cleaner and more equitable in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy,” said John Gioia, Contra Costa County District 1 Supervisor. Additional event partners include Groundwork Richmond, Rich City Rides, Moving Forward, Hope Worldwide, Kaiser Permanente, Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, Cal Cameron Institute, Friends of the Richmond Greenway, St. John Missionary Baptist Church and Pogo Park. “The City of Richmond is dedicated to advancing its climate and health equity goals by fostering strong collaborations with the state, community-based organizations, and residents,” said Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl. “Recognizing the power of collective impact, we take pride in the community’s annual organization and volunteering during the MLK Day of Service. This event serves as a testament to our shared commitment to working together and enhancing our community spaces. These goals cannot be achieved by a single individual alone and the unity displayed through such initiatives is commendable.”

Learn more at CaliforniaVolunteers.ca.gov and sign up to find a local volunteer opportunity at CaliforniansForAll.ca.gov.   INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH:California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. Contact Katie Vavao, Katie.Vavao@CaliforniaVolunteers.ca.gov (916) 584-3620 Livestream of Press Conference: YouTube B-Roll: Community Climate Action Days 

###

About California Volunteers, Office of the Governor  
Led by California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, California Volunteers, Office of the Governor empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities. California Volunteers is the state office tasked with recruiting young Californians to engage in public service.