The Multicultural Resource Center has been a learning hub, a support system, and a healing space for many black, brown and indigenous people as well as justice organizers in Tompkins County. Our work and impact is carried out through a collective of freedom fighters who resist all forms of oppression and embody the vision we seek!

Want to be part of the change we've been waiting for? Of course, we all do! And now we have the opportunity to be that change by helping MRC continue to deepen their work for justice and building the future we truly believe in. The time is now! Please join our campaign and tell your friends and family members about the important work we do and ask them to join us in helping to make deep impact in our communities!

<3 <3 <3 <3 A Day In the Life of MRC: A Story by a Community Member <3 <3 <3 <3

I've heard a lot about MRC. The work. The people. The vibe of the space at MLK Jr. St. There has been a lot of hype about all of it! I visited the space a few times to volunteer for very specific errands. But, I never really spend much time there. One day, I just wanted to be present to build deeper relationship with all the workers (staff and community volunteers). And so I did. And here's my story.

It started at 11:15AM, spending a good chunk of time listening to the deep conversations around issues of decolonizing holidays and continuing to challenge behaviors that flirt with oppressive structures. Nothing that I've ever heard people speak about at any other workplace. Then, someone comes up the stairs and asks for a specific staff member. She's not there, but the present staff immediately stop their conversation and kindly ask what support are they looking for. This person is in need of a care package to help with their reentry process. They got released from prison last week. "Welcome home!" is the first thing this person hears and then they go on talking about their community memories..."back in the days..." It's like they all knew each other. One staff takes their information down and notes their needs followed by a soothing voice that says, "you've come to the right place, we're gonna help to the best of our ability." The visitor smiles and thanks the staff and says they will be back after their DSS meeting. Not much later, another staff is preparing for a meeting with two students from Cornell about a partnership opportunity to bring young people from the community and campus together for a youth summit. At the same time, downstairs, other workers are planning and envisioning a new project with so much excitement and joy. As soon as the meeting with students was over, the staff receives a call and rushes out to provide advocacy and support to a family who was in an emergency situation. The staff comes back after 2 hours. She smiles and greets everyone in the building and shares "that was a challenging situation, but the family is well." She returns to her computer as she prepares for her next meeting. But, while she was gone, the space was still at work... more people walked in, some in search of services and other to greet the staff. At the same time, some workers were washing dishes and cleaning the space while others were fixing computers and working remotely at the space while utilizing MRC's shared resources. It's 5:35PM and it feels like 24 hours have gone by. Workers are now preparing for their 6PM meeting and the doors are still open. My mind is racing 1000 miles an hour.

I couldn't believe what I experienced that day. There is nothing like this in our community, I thought to myself. MRC is unique in so many ways. They are a rapid response team, a healing space, an organizing hub, a leadership development platform, a freedom school, an accountability network, a support system, a think tank, a collective of artists building for the future generations! As an activist, I have fought hard to demand justice and advocate for grassroots spaces led by the most marginalized. And then, I find myself at MRC. This is what we've been fighting for! A space that feels like home to anyone walking through the doors. A community of workers (predominantly black, brown, and indigenous) that treat each other like family and offer no less to everyone they come across. A collective mind that gives birth to powerful ideas to enact transformative justice and sustainable change. MRC is healing for the mind and soul. It's where the answers live and come to life. I have so much admiration and respect for the people and the work. MRC, you are not alone!!!! I am here to hold you up while you lift our communities and I invite other justice fighters to join me!

THIS REVOLUTION WILL BE FUNDED...BY THE PEOPLE!

With love!