Rustin Students participate in MLK Day of Service

 Adjusting to college life can be challenging for many students, especially those at a large, urban university like the University of Louisville. The LGBT Center and Campus Housing at the University of Louisville host a themed housing option for students interested in social justice and addressing issues that impact Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Aromantic, 2-spirit, and more (LGBTQIA2+). The community, named after gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, opened in Fall 2012.

Bayard Rustin, was a key advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and helped organize the 1963 March on Washington. He was deeply committed to the principles of nonviolence as an activist, and taught them to King and other leaders. Because of his identity as a gay man, his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement were sometimes hidden or overlooked.

In honor of Rustin and King, residents of the Bayard Rustin Themed Community participated in a day-long service opportunity on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, facilitated by the Engage Lead Serve Board (ELSB). Rustin Community members partnered with Honors Service & Social Justice LLC to give back to the Dreams With Wings Community.

Dreams With Wings is an adult day facility for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their mission is to, “Empower individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and autism, as they recognize their strengths, contribute to their community and pursue their dreams.” Programs offered include, Community Living Support, Art Therapy, Computer Literacy, Job Training and Workforce Development, and much more.

UofL student volunteers assisted in three primary tasks, 1) a beautification project which allowed students to work with Dreams With Wings participants to create paper flowers for the art room and hallway space; 2) a self-care and literacy project which students helped participants create acrostic name poems; and 3) students facilitated one-on-one and small group discussions with participants around future goals and aspirations to create a Dreams With Wings vision board.

Overall, the experience was immersive and incredibly enriching. We thank the participants of Dreams With Wings and ELSB for this opportunity to give back and enact change.      

LGBT Center - Belknap

Cultural & Equity Centers

120 E. Brandeis Ave.

University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky 40292

Phone:(502) 852-0696

Office Hours

Diversity & Equity Centers on Belknap Campus are open 
M-F 9am-5pm

HSC LGBT Center is open
M-F 9am-5pm

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LGBT Center - HSC

500 S. Preston St.

A Building, Room 209C/D

Louisville, Kentucky 40292

Phone:(502) 852-5861