CHESAPEAKE MULTICULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER INC

ChesMRC has recently purchased a permanent home in to be the new Community Center to the immigrant community in the heart of the minority district in Easton, MD. Our community has benefited since the ChesMRC opened its doors in 2012 in the following ways: - More services: Over the last year, ChesMRC’s average yearly services increased from 1,500 to over 2,500 in 2018. - Resilient and engaged immigrant community: By assisting and empowering the immigrant community, all citizens of the Mid Shore Community will benefit by having a community that is more informed, educated, civically engaged, and economically active. - Increased cultural vibrancy: ChesMRC has proudly served immigrant clients from approximately 50 different countries and is continuing to expand the number of nationalities we serve. - Meaningful support for future generations: ChesMRC provides weekly after-school programming for over 90 elementary students in Talbot County. Currently the Easton Elementary student body identifies as 36 percent Hispanic, making these children the majority and no longer the minority. - Mentoring for future college students: ChesMRC provides mentoring and tutoring services to approximately 20 High School students. First generation students need abundant guidance, support and motivation in their journey to college. - Access to trusted legal services: ChesMRC holds quarterly immigration clinics with experienced immigration attorneys who provide free consultations and affordable legal services. Maintaining a fully functioning DOJ -Accredited legal clinic on the Eastern Shore results in an estimated $50,000 savings for the vulnerable immigration community. - Increased professionalism: Through our language access and cultural competence program, more than 50 bilingual individuals have become professionally trained interpreters and almost 1,000 service providers received training on cross-cultural dynamics. - More programs, outreach, and collaborations: Our new Community Center will allow us to increase our programmatic capacity and outreach efforts. The space will also be available to support initiatives from community partners. A higher level of community integration and inclusiveness will be possible.

With a more convenient and accessible location, our staff is now providing a myriad of services to immigrants throughout the Mid Shore. Services include, but are not limited to, youth development, legal immigration, cultural competence, and interpretive programs. ChesMRC has worked hard building partnerships with many organizations and service providers throughout the Eastern Shore and are able to quickly and efficiently resolve immediate problems for immigrant families in need. ChesMRC is now a known and trusted resource for on immigration for the Eastern Shore of Maryland. In partnership with Talbot County Public Schools, funding from local governments and private funding, ChesMRC is able to provide weekly after school programs for at-risk youth students grades 1-12.

Quantitative data is tracked in our database (CAP60), which captures client and family information, and monitors direct and indirect services provided. In addition, we conduct follow up with clients to determine how these services have improved their standard of living. Our after school program is evaluated each year to identify how students attending the program are progressing. Surveys are administered for families to identify health and wellness trends after attending events through the after school nutrition program.

- Over the last year, ChesMRC’s average yearly services increased from 1,500 to over 2,500 in 2018. - Increased cultural vibrancy: ChesMRC has proudly served over 3500 immigrant clients from approximately 50 different countries and is continuing to expand the number of nationalities we serve. - ChesMRC provides weekly after-school programming for over 90 elementary students in Talbot County. Currently the Easton Elementary student body identifies as 36% Hispanic, making these children the majority and no longer the minority. - ChesMRC provides mentoring and tutoring services to approximately 20 High School students. First generation students need abundant guidance, support and motivation in their journey to college. - Access to trusted legal services: ChesMRC holds quarterly immigration clinics with experienced immigration attorneys who provide free consultations and affordable legal services. Maintaining a fully functioning DOJ -Accredited legal clinic on the Eastern Shore results in an estimated $50,000 savings for the vulnerable immigration community. - Increased professionalism: Through our language access and cultural competence program, more than 50 bilingual individuals have become professionally trained interpreters and almost 1,000 service providers received training on cross-cultural dynamics. The amount of work needed to maintain the Resource Center, Youth Programs and the Accredited Legal Clinic for the Eastern Shore is expanding, as we have a rapidly increasing population on the Shore that are in dire need of these services. Over the past year, ChesMRC’s average yearly services increased from 1,500 annually to over 2,500 in 2018. With a more convenient and accessible location, our staff is now providing a myriad of services to immigrants throughout the Mid Shore. Services include, but are not limited to, youth development, legal immigration, cultural competence, and interpretive programs. Our new Community Center will allow us to increase our programmatic capacity and outreach efforts. The space will also be available to support initiatives from community partners. A higher level of community integration and inclusiveness will be possible.