Widener gives back to the community with annual day of service

Widener University is participating in a number of events this year in honor for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

WHAT: 19^th Annual MLK Day of Service and Commemorative Service

WHEN & WHERE: Monday, January 16:

- Pieces of Peace; 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Lathem Hall, Widener University

- Physical Therapy Mobility Clinic; 1 – 3 p.m.; Chester YWCA

- Grand opening of Widener Community Nursing Clinic; 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.; CityTeam Ministries

- Commemorative Service; 6:30 p.m.; Alumni Auditorium; Widener University 

On Main Campus members of the Widener community will be painting quilt patches with images and quotes promoting peace for future installment at schools, businesses, and organizations throughout the city, as part of the Pieces of Peace mural arts projects sponsored by the Community Arts Center of Wallingford, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Lathem Hall, on the corner of 13^th and Potter Streets. 

The School of Nursing will celebrate the grand opening of the Widener Community Nursing Clinic in partnership with CityTeam Ministries by hosting a free event, which begins at 1:30 p.m. at the clinic, which is located at Chester’s CityTeam Ministries, 634 Sproul St. Widener President James T. Harris III will cut the ribbon for the new clinic alongside Ellen Boyda, coordinator of the family nurse practitioner program at Widener and clinic director, School of Nursing Dean Deborah Garrison, Chester Mayor John Linder, and Kwinn Tucker of CityTeam Ministries.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the public is invited to tour the Widener Community Nursing Clinic from 1:45–3:30 p.m. During this time, nursing students, faculty, staff, and alumni will offer free cancer and blood pressure screenings, height and weight measurements, and eye screenings. All attendees will receive “goodie bags” that include sanitary items and educational information for optimal health and wellness. 

The Institute for Physical Therapy Education will also give back to the community in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, as students, alumni, and faculty will offer a mobility clinic at the Chester YWCA, from 1–3 p.m. Students and faculty will screen and clean scooters, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and canes to ensure that these assistive devices are in optimal condition. School of Nursing students and faculty will join in presenting tips for supporting healthy practices, including effective hand-washing techniques.

During the evening, Widener’s Black Student Union will sponsor an annual commemoration of Dr. King’s life that will include performances by the Widener University and Chester High School gospel choirs, as well as the PRAISE dance group. The evening will be filled with artistic expression, as it will also include several student reflections that will be expressed through spoken word and dance, as well as from Widener University administrators.