Sullivan County Youth participate in the 5th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Youth Summit

[Loch Sheldrake, NY] – The 5th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Youth Summit was held on January 9, 2026, at SUNY Sullivan. Over 130 Sullivan County high school students, school faculty and nonprofit organizational leaders attended. 

The day kicked off with a screening of “Blueprint for Life,” the famous Dr. King speech focused on the principles of belief in oneself, determination and commitment to succeed. Students participated in workshops where they analyzed various MLK quotes and how they apply to themselves and their communities. They also engaged in activities and networking to open their minds and hearts to greater service for themselves, their schools and their communities.  Several students from My Brother’s Keeper Programs at Monticello and Fallsburg High School served in key roles during the Summit including master of ceremony, providing music and poetry.  These students were Tobias Brown Jr., Julian Young, Anthony Ortiz, Evianne Beker-McBride, Marilyn Santos, Azon Laurel & Carmen Monto Velasco. 

Dr. John Gaines gave the keynote reminding the audience that legacy is not what we leave for people, but rather legacy is what we leave in people. Also known as John "PUSH" Gaines, he is a former at-risk foster kid turned youth advocate, author, NCAA football champion  and motivational speaker. Dr. Gaines shares his inspiring story on television, at universities, nonprofit organizations, youth conferences, NBA skill camps, churches, and schools. He has worked with NBA athletes, Congress, educators, coaches, and mental health professionals. 

To empower students to connect their experience with Dr. King and Martin Luther King Jr Day, they are heading back to their schools challenged with an idea and inspiration for a service project they can implement in their school community.  Every participant was also gifted the young adult version of the Pulitzer-prize winning book King A Life made possible by Action Toward Independence Inc. and a commemorative sweatshirt. 

“The Center for Discovery is proud to be the presenting sponsor of this year’s 5th Annual MLK Day of Service Youth Summit as we believe in the power of young people to care for others and change the world,” said Amanda Ward, Chief of the Center for Discovery Division of People, Operations and Educational Sustainability.

“Sullivan County’s Youth Bureau is committed to providing the kind of opportunities—and hope—that Dr. King often spoke about,” said Cathie Paci Youth Internship Program. “We want our children and teens to feel that their lives matter, that what they do and say is meaningful and that we value them as growing members of our community.”

“The College community is so pleased to have hosted Sullivan County students for a second year and another inspiring event. The partners produced a wonderful program in celebration of Dr. King’s legacy, filled with engaging activities and meaningful conversations designed to ignite the change-makers of tomorrow,” said SUNY Sullivan President Dr. David Potash.

“What amazes me most, in this fifth year of the MLK Day of Service Youth Summit, is the growing number of organizations and community partners involved each year,” said Amanda Langseder, Senior Director of Prevention Programming at Sullivan 180. “These partners come back year after year to make sure young people are reminded of the power of their voice and that they, indeed, have the ability to change the world.”

The 5th Annual MLK Day Of Service Youth Summit was presented by The Center for Discovery and hosted by SUNY Sullivan.  The event was partially funded by the County of Sullivan and the Office of Children and Family Services through the Sullivan County Youth Bureau.  Additional funding was provided by NYSEG and Sullivan 180.  In addition to funding support, Summit partners include Action Toward Independence, Bethel Woods Center For The Arts, Choosing Happy 365, Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan, My Brother’s Keeper, NAACP Sullivan County 2187-B, SALT (Sullivan Allies Leading Together), Sullivan County Human Rights Commission, Sullivan County Public Health, Sullivan County Workforce Development, and Tobacco Free Action Communities.