Good Afternoon, Jameson Fellows.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that" - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
On January 15, we gather to honor the birthday and living legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - not only in remembrance, but in renewed commitment to service, justice, and the Beloved Community he envisioned.
For more than seven years, this celebration has been shaped by music, spirit, and action through the powerful presence of Pato Banton and Antoinette Rootsdawtah. Their music has carried Dr. King’s teachings into hearts and communities, reminding us that service is not an obligation, but a joyful and creative expression of love.
This year, we widen the circle to honor not only their musical contributions, but the full arc of their service, deeply grounded in the living philosophy of Ubuntu -
“I am because we are.
We will uplift their journey through celebrating the film "The Spirit of Ubuntu", which reveals how relationship, responsibility, and shared humanity become pathways for healing and restoration.
Both the film and their humanitarian work - particularly their long-standing engagement with communities in Africa - flow from this same Ubuntu foundation.
Their work stands as a lived expression of Dr. King’s belief that service transcends borders, cultures, and nations, binding humanity together through compassion, dignity, and mutual care.
For the past seven years, this work of the Compassion Games: Survival of the Kindest was supported through a grant partnership with AmeriCorps, a chapter we honor with deep gratitude. While circumstances have shifted, our commitment to Dr. King’s core values has not.
The world has changed.
Yet the moral center of Dr. King’s vision remains steady.
At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion are being questioned rather than embraced, we choose to affirm them - as essential expressions of the Beloved Community. As Dr. King reminded us,
“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”
This 97th birthday celebration serves as the threshold moment into the 40 Days of Peace, beginning with a New Moon Ceremony on January 18 and the Day of Service on January 19, a National Holiday.
Together, we walk forty days of intention and action, culminating on February 27 with a Global Circle of Light for the Animal Kingdom, aligned with a rare Saturn–Jupiter conjunction - a symbolic call to long-term responsibility, moral courage, and care for all life.
Beloved Community Rising is an invitation to:
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Celebrate Dr. King’s birthday through music, story, and shared purpose
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Honor artists whose lives embody service grounded in Ubuntu
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Prepare ourselves for another year of compassionate action
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Step into a widening circle of care - for people, for communities, and for the living Earth
Dr. King’s legacy is not behind us.
It is rising through service, through music, and through us.
Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada Monthly Events
Olive Crest is seeking anyone who has thought about, considered, or even has questions about becoming a foster family. Yesterday's census at Child Haven was 50, so that's 50 kids in need of a safe and loving home, and Olive Crest is making a big push right now to train and support families to take kids into their homes.
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With delays to SNAP benefits caused by the government shutdown, many families and individuals need support accessing food. If you or someone you know needs food, help is now easier to find. Several community organizations are hosting emergency food distribution events to ensure everyone has access to nutritious meals during this challenging time. UWSN will continue sharing nonprofit resources as they become available from our partners. If you or someone you know needs support, we encourage you to attend one of these events. No one in our community should go hungry. Visit Nevada 211 at https://211.org/food or call 2-1-1 for the most up to date information. To continue the conversation outside of the monthly Nonprofit Connection Call, UWSN is launching the UWSN's Nonprofit Connection LinkedIn Group, this space will serve as a community forum where you can post resources and updates about your programs. Join here. Together, we can make sure every neighbor has the food they need. Resources below are effective 11/7/25 - resource availability may change. Community Resource Guides: CCSD No-Cost School Meals Program for all CCSD students Food Access Map http://rtcsnv.com/foodaccessmap National 211 Food Assistance Resource Finder Phone: 211 Emergency Food Relief Distribution Locations: Emergency Food Distribution Sites in Southern Nevada Catholic Charities Community Meal 10:00 am - 11:00 am Monday - Sunday (1501 Las Vegas Blvd, North Las Vegas, NV 89101) https://www.catholiccharities.com/programs/community-meal-st-vincent-lied-dining-facility Catholic Charities Hands of Hope Community Pantry
https://www.catholiccharities.com/programs/hands-of-hope-community-food-pantry City Impact Urban Food Bank 928 E. Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104 email: [email protected] https://cicnv.org/programs/#cic_food_bank
Dolores Huerta Center Food Pantry 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday https://www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com/residents/dolores-huerta-resource-center Hope for the Cities Food Pantries
Las Vegas Rescue Mission 480 W. Bonanza Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89106 Phone: 702-382-1766 https://cicnv.org/programs/#cic_food_bank Daily Community Meal: 5:00pm - 6:00pm. This meal is open to the public. Guests must line up at the west gate to gain entry. Salvation Army Henderson Corps - 830 East Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson NV 89015 Phone: 702-565-9578 www.salvationarmysouthernnevada.org/homeless-services https://hendersoncorps.salvationarmy.org/henderson_corps/cure-hunger
The After Market Pantry 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Tuesday - Saturday (4337 Las Vegas Blvd N Bldg B Las Vegas, Nevada 89115) https://sites.google.com/theaftermarketlv.org/theaftermarket The Just One Project Phone: 702-462-2253 - leave a detailed message if you call outside of Call Hours. https://thejustoneproject.org/food-programs/emergency-food-assistance Call Hours: Monday-Friday from 8:30am - 2:00pm Three Square Food Bank Phone: 702-765-4030 Kids Cafe Program: 702-644-3663 www.threesquare.org/get-help/find-foo
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Disclaimer - Community events shared by Compassionate Las Vegas are for informational purposes only.
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