Prince William County is one of the region's most diverse communities, where nearly two out of three residents come from outside the United States.  Latino immigrants comprise the largest ethnic group, follow by African immigrants, Asian immigrants, and African-Americans, among others. Immigrant-owned businesses are very popular and residents are committed to improving their neighborhoods. Though plagued by poverty, unemployment, language barriers, low formal education, and violent crime, Prince William County's challenges are outpaced by its diversity and potential as a thriving and vibrant community.
 

Multicultural Resource Center 2010-2011

The Multicultural Community Foundation has focused its investment in the Multicultural Resource Center and is working with local and national partners to position the neighborhood to attract resources that will enable families to thrive.  For example, MCF is working with coalition partners to promoted and establish a Health Care Mobile Clinic that will be open year round with Pilot Clinics in different locations. MCF now serves hundreds of immigrant workers and their families each month through our partnership with the Christian community.  MCF’s vision for Prince William County is of a healthy and thriving multicultural community that is safe and supportive of children's academic and social success where investment brings additional resources to the community but does not displace low-income families.

The materialization of the Multicultural Resources Center will be culmination of years of planning, fundraising, and organizing, and will mark the start of a new era for the organization Prince William County's diverse community.  Through its Annual Fundraising Events, The Somos Awards, MCF will celebrate the spirit of multiculturalism, strengthen its ability to achieve its mission, and establish its permanent home.  MCF's Multicultural Resources Center will host a recognized set of programs and services as well as four other nonprofit organizations with expertise in serving Prince William County's minority communities.  We expect with the joint efforts of community members, public officials and private supporters, the center will be able to serve over 5,000 low-income families annually.
 

The Challenge

MCF is committed to spreading its mission of social equality--allowing for access to resources for the underserved populations of VA, MD, DC.  Particularly in Prince William County, the low-income community has very limited access to the arts, museums, exhibits, and art shows, due to the lack of education.

At MCF, we believe that art must be democratized in order to give people of all backgrounds access to the arts as well as the opportunity to participate in the making of an identity.  Thus, MCF aims to create permanent and temporary exhibits at all our events, encouraging the community to feel part of the making and re-enforcing of the Multicultural Resource Center character.  The Multicultural Resource Center will become a space to share, explore, and expand the immigrant experience.

Our Multicultural Arts Camp Project is an initiative that looks to transmit TO OUR NEW GENERATION (KIDS) THE PASSION FOR ARTS, IN DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES.  In order to move forward with this initiative, MCF has convened an Art Committee comprised of MCF's staff, volunteers, and community members whose mission is to conduct artist outreach and select the art pieces that will participated in every event.  We have to recruit artists that will join our "Time for a Change" campaign.

 

Our Objectives

• To represent the multicultural identity and social struggle of the Prince William County community and the broader immigrant communities in the area through the artwork and other educational media exhibits gathered from local community members and supporting institutions. These exhibits (both permanent and temporary) should manifest the journey and struggle of immigrants into this country and how they have integrated into it.
• To convene people of the five continents through our Multicultural Camp Art Project in order to highlight the importance of pluralism, multiculturalism.

 

How you can Help!

MCF is currently accepting art donations from artists interested in contributing to MCF's mission--honoring the lives of thousands of low-income immigrants.  MCF, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, therefore, all donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

We invite you to participate with your legacy at Art Auction Gala Sept 10,2010 as part of the 2010 Somos Leadership Conference & Awards.  On behalf of MCF’s Art Committee, I hope that you will consider being a part of MCF ’s family.  Local Artists are invited to bring the art work for consideration.

 

Multicultural Community Foundation

For further information please do not hesitate to call 540-788-4328. You can also contact us via e-mail at info@mcfound.org.