MCRC - Multicultural Community Resource Center

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July from MCRC! 🇺🇸

Today, as we celebrate the birth of our nation and the freedoms we enjoy, we are reminded of what this day represents for so many of the families we serve at MCRC.

For refugees, immigrants, and New Americans, Independence Day is more than fireworks and festivities — it represents hope, opportunity, and the chance to build a new life in a place where freedom is not just an idea, but a promise.

Many of our clients have fled violence, persecution, and instability in search of peace, security, and the ability to pursue their dreams. On this day, we honor the courage it takes to rebuild, the diversity that strengthens our communities, and the shared belief that everyone deserves the chance to thrive.

Freedom means opportunity. Freedom means safety. Freedom means belonging.

From all of us at MCRC — Happy 4th of July! May we continue working together to ensure that freedom and opportunity are truly accessible to all. ❤️🤍💙

🌍 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲? | 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 🌍

At MCRC - Multicultural Community Resource Center, we believe every journey matters—and every family story adds to the rich diversity of our community. Our Remember Your Roots campaign is more than a T-shirt—it’s a celebration of resilience, history, and belonging.

We’re proud to launch the 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲? series by sharing the journey of Wuji Ahmad, a former refugee whose family’s strength and perseverance represent the heart of this campaign.

🇪🇷 Wuji’s family is from Eritrea, a small East African nation located along the Red Sea. Eritrea has faced decades of political turmoil, forcing many families to flee in search of safety and opportunity.

Wuji shared her family’s powerful journey:

“𝘔𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢, 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘈𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘣𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘶𝘥𝘢𝘯, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵 — 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘨𝘩𝘥𝘢𝘥, 𝘐𝘳𝘢𝘲. 𝘞𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯, 𝘑𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘨𝘦𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜.𝘚.

𝘞𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘳𝘪𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 2001. 𝘕𝘰𝘸, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘪𝘯-𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘴, 𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴 & 𝘯𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘸𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺, 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘧 8 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 25 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 (𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨). 𝘞𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘋𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮.”

✨ Wuji’s story is one of hope, perseverance, and family—and we’re honored she calls Erie home.

Now it’s your turn.
📸 Share your story and photo with us! Whether you came to the U.S. as a refugee or your family has a powerful history of how you came to call this country home—we want to hear it.

➡️ Submit your story here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCRCrememberyourroots

Let’s celebrate the roots that connect us and the stories that shape us. 🌱

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰? Back in the early 2000s, Erie was home to two incredible public art projects: Go Fish Erie and LeapFrog Erie. These projects placed hand-painted fiberglass fish and frogs throughout the city as a way to promote creativity, community pride, and connection to our beautiful region.

Fast forward to today — with the recent closure of the Mercyhurst Child Learning Center, MCRC - Multicultural Community Resource Center had the opportunity to receive many of their childcare materials and contents of their building to help expand our own programs. Among those items was a special piece of Erie’s history… their Leapfrog statue, originally part of the LeapFrog Erie art project! 🐸🎨

We are excited to share that this frog has officially found a new home here at MCRC, and it will soon be getting a makeover! The children in our childcare program will be painting the frog with the vibrant colors of MCRC’s logo — giving it new life while honoring its connection to both Erie’s past and MCRC’s future.

𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 — 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒈 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒂 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆! We’re calling on the community to help us name our new friend. Drop your suggestions in the comments below, and stay tuned as we reveal the final look of our newly painted Leapfrog in the coming weeks.

Let’s celebrate Erie’s art, history, and the next generation — together! 💙💚🧡

Today, MCRC - Multicultural Community Resource Center had the pleasure of welcoming our valued community partner, AmeriHealth Caritas, to our facility. Each year, AmeriHealth Caritas generously sponsors MCRC’s Community Garden, which is planted, cared for, and harvested by participants in our Older Adult Program, led by KB Gurung.

In addition to their ongoing support, today they brought their Mobile Wellness Bus to MCRC, providing free health screenings and sharing important health and wellness resources with our community.

We are grateful for their partnership and continued investment in MCRC’s mission. Together, we are working to make Erie a healthier, stronger, and more connected place to live.

Thank you, AmeriHealth Caritas, for your unwavering support.

Last night, the MCRC - Multicultural Community Resource Center team joined our community at Perry Square for Erie’s World Refugee Day Celebration — an evening filled with fellowship, joy, and the incredible resilience of refugees.

We were proud to stand beside so many of the individuals and families who now call Erie home — each bringing their strength, culture, and determination as they rebuild their lives here. Refugees are not only survivors — they are entrepreneurs, students, parents, leaders, and neighbors, adding immeasurable value to our region.

The night was filled with dance, music, laughter, and stories of hope — a true reflection of the vibrant, diverse community we are building together.

To all the amazing refugees in Erie: we see you, we celebrate you, and we are honored to walk this journey with you. ❤️🌍

Thank you to our partner organizations who helped plan this special evening!

Today, members of MCRC - Multicultural Community Resource Center’s leadership team and board of directors gathered to celebrate an exciting milestone for our organization at the Nonprofit Partnership’s Excellence Awards Luncheon.

We are proud to share that our very own Executive Director, Katie Kretz, was recognized as 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫, a testament to her tireless dedication to MCRC, our mission, and the community we serve.

Under Katie’s leadership, MCRC has expanded critical services for refugees, immigrants, Latino and New American families across the Erie region—working every day to build a stronger, more welcoming community for all.

We are grateful for her vision, passion, and unwavering commitment to empowering those we serve, and we congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.

We also extend our congratulations to all of today’s award recipients whose work uplifts and strengthens our entire nonprofit community:

- Bracken Award in Nonprofit Governance - Gary Borowy, Board Chair, Harborcreek Youth Services
- Volunteer of the Year - Timothy Campbell, Community Blood Bank
- Best Place to Work - Achievement Center of LECOM Health
- Young Professional of the Year - Casey Corritore, Erie Arts & Culture
- Lifetime Achievement Award - Chuck Walczak

A special thank you to The Nonprofit Partnership for hosting this incredible event and for the work they do year-round to recognize leaders, organizations, and partners making a meaningful impact on the nonprofit sector here in Erie, Pennsylvania.

🌍 World Refugee Week: A Journey of Hope 🌍

As we embark on World Refugee Week, we reflect on the incredible strength, resilience, and hope carried by refugees who now call Erie home.

Today, we share the inspiring story of Hadia Sharifi, one of the many courageous individuals who remind us why MCRC does the work that we do. Hadia’s journey is a testament to perseverance, determination, and the power of new beginnings.

At MCRC, we are proud to walk beside heroes like Hadia every single day. Their stories fuel our mission to welcome, support, and empower families rebuilding their lives in our community.

💙 This World Refugee Week, we invite you to stand with us. Your support allows us to continue serving families just like Hadia’s—families seeking safety, opportunity, and the chance to thrive.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-684

Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive Erie.

Today is World Refugee Day.

A day to honor the strength, resilience, and courage of millions of individuals and families who have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety, freedom, and the opportunity to rebuild.

At a time when refugee resettlement is under threat and global displacement is at record highs, we must remember:

Refugees are not just statistics.

They are mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, students and teachers, business owners and neighbors. They are survivors. Dreamers. Contributors. Human beings with stories of unimaginable strength.

Here in Erie, refugees are our neighbors.

They own small businesses, send their children to our schools, worship in our churches and mosques, and contribute to our workforce.

They are helping to revitalize neighborhoods, strengthen our local economy, and bring rich culture and new perspectives to our community.

We are better because they are here. Their courage inspires us. Their presence strengthens us. Their dreams remind us of what’s possible when people are given the chance to begin again.

🌍 Today, we stand with refugees.
💪 We commit to protecting their rights.
❤️ We celebrate their presence in our community.

Let’s not only recognize this day—but let it move us to action, advocacy, and deeper understanding.

Refugees belong here. Refugees are welcome.

Read more about World Refugee Day and MCRC: https://www.mcrcerie.org/2025/06/20/embracing-the-courage-of-new-beginnings-a-world-refugee-day-reflection/

MCRC - Multicultural Community Resource Center encourages our friends and to join us as we celebrate !!! It will be an exciting evening filled with music, dance, fellowship and fun.

🌍 Get Ready to Celebrate World Refugee Day – Next Week in Perry Square! 🌍

🗓️ Thursday, June 26
🕔 5:00 – 9:00 PM
📍 Perry Square, Downtown Erie

Next week, join us for an unforgettable evening of music, dance, and cultural celebration as we honor World Refugee Day with Erie's vibrant refugee communities, including Nepali-Bhutanese, Ukrainian, Iraqi, Afghan, Syrian, Congolese, Burundian, and South Sudanese performers and vendors.

This special celebration is part of the Perry Square Summer Concert Series by the Erie Downtown Partnership and is made possible with support from the City of Erie, EAM, Catholic Charities, Multicultural Resource Center, USCRI, and Erie Arts and Culture.

We’re thrilled to come together again for a second year to uplift our refugee neighbors, their stories, and their incredible talents. 🌟

🎉 Mark your calendar and come celebrate community, culture, and resilience!

Today at MCRC - Multicultural Community Resource Center, we said goodbye to our Director of Refugee Social Services, Laura Reeck.

For the past two years, Laura has led our refugee services programming with dignity, grace, and a deep passion for the work. She has been a steady and compassionate force for the families we serve and for the team she so skillfully led.

As she moves her family to France to begin a new chapter, we send our heartfelt thanks for her contributions and our very best wishes for the journey ahead.

𝐁𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚 — 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝!

🎓 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐄𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐊 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐂𝐑𝐂! 🎓

We’re excited to announce that MCRC - Multicultural Community Resource Center’s Pre-K Counts program is now enrolling for the upcoming school year — and we have space for 20 little learners ready to grow, play, and thrive!

📚 What is Pre-K Counts?
Pre-K Counts is a free, high-quality preschool program funded by the state of Pennsylvania. It’s designed to help children (ages 3 & 4) get ready for kindergarten by building strong foundations in learning, social skills, and confidence — all in a safe, supportive, and culturally inclusive environment.

💡 Give your child the head start they deserve!

📞 Contact Tammi Firestone today at 814-455-0212 or 📧 [email protected] to learn more or enroll your child.

Spots will fill quickly — don’t miss this opportunity to join the MCRC family! ❤️

𝐖𝐞 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬!

MCRC - Multicultural Community Resource Center is looking for bilingual individuals to support refugee and immigrant families at medical appointments.

Help families access care, comfort, and understanding—one conversation at a time.

✅ Paid, flexible opportunities
✅ Spanish-English fluency required
✅ Training provided

Apply today and make a difference.

https://www.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=ed8d7922ba8870cc&from=serp&prevUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indeed.com%2Fm%2Fjobs%3Fq%3DInterpreter%26l%3DErie%252C%2BPA%26radius%3D25%26from%3DsearchOnSerp%26sameL%3D1&mclk=default&xpse=SoAX67I3x1pHrLzbip0LbzkdCdPP&xfps=5722e7ca-0714-4ce6-8359-bced3644adf2&xkcb=SoD067M3x1pICZR7rZ0KbzkdCdPP