Tag: multicultural

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Laura Green, For the Catholic Herald

‘Climate Change in the Americas’ event bridges borders to care for our common home

In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis calls us to this vision: “Let us dream, then, as a single human family, as fellow travelers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home, each of us bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all.”

In this vein, “Climate Change in the Americas” hosted by the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) used technology to bridge borders, highlight the voices of community advocates from all walks of life, and bring people together to talk about the greatest threat to our common home and all who share it.

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Laura Green, For the Catholic Herald

‘Climate Change in the Americas’ event bridges borders to care for our common home

MADISON — In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis calls us to this vision: “Let us dream, then, as a single human family, as fellow travelers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home, each of us bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all.”

In this vein, “Climate Change in the Americas” hosted by the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) used technology to bridge borders, highlight the voices of community advocates from all walks of life, and bring people together to talk about the greatest threat to our common home and all who share it.

Sharing experiences

“There is not a Planet B. Climate change is a reality for us here in Mexico,” said Antonio Diaz, a soon-to-be college graduate studying business with an emphasis in sustainable production and distribution.

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the Catholic Multicultural Center, Madison

Catholic Multicultural Center thanks supporters

MADISON — The Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) offers its deepest thanks to the community for offering financial support during the recent Radiothon fundraiser and community celebration with La Movida Radio.

The CMC aimed to raise $18,000 to fund its pandemic services such as food pantry delivery, daily free meal, and low cost immigration legal services.

Thanks to many generous donors, business sponsors, and one big matching donation, the CMC surpassed its goal, raising a grand total of $22,424.

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Laura Green For the Catholic Herald

Bilingual fundraiser to support pandemic services at the Catholic Multicultural Center

MADISON — The Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) is still making a difference, one person at a time!

Throughout the pandemic, the CMC has continued to offer crucial services to help people meet their basic needs: food pantry with personal hygiene items, food pantry delivery, employment search assistance, low-cost immigration legal services, and Dane County’s only free community meal served every day of the week.

Though we cannot gather in-person this year, the CMC is continuing the tradition of its annual bilingual (English/Spanish) Radiothon fundraiser and community celebration with La Movida radio.

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Angela Curio, Catholic Herald Staff

Overflowing generosity at drive-thru food drive

QOP Food Drive
Volunteers at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Madison take donations for the Catholic Multicultural Center in Madison out of the back of a vehicle. (Contributed photo)

MADISON — Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish (QP) saw an overflow of generosity at its first Drive-Thru Food Drive to benefit the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) on the morning of Sunday, April 19.

“Many of you are asking for ways to help as COVID-19 continues to affect our community on a daily basis, so QP’s Social Action and Community Enrichment Board teamed up with the St. Vincent de Paul conference to find a creative way to help our neighbors in need!” read the Facebook event page that was posted just six days before the event.

“We need your help to feed the hundreds of families that are continuing to suffer by filling the Catholic Multicultural Center’s food pantry!”

High turnout

Thirty-eight individuals expressed interest on Facebook before the event, but the turnout was “more than we were anticipating,” said Annette Fox, director of the parish’s Social Action and Community Enrichment board. “It was awesome. Filled the van plus some!”

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Kevin Wondrash

CMC keeps programming running

MADISON — The Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) is continuing to operate Dane County’s only daily free community meal program, its food pantry, and comprehensive low-cost immigration legal services program to safely serve the most vulnerable among us during this time of heightened need.

Ever since COVID-19 precautions became necessary, CMC staff have been preparing fresh, hot meals every weekday served as a grab-and-go meal distributed from the parking lot to encourage social distancing practices.

On weekends, a sandwich sack lunch is provided.

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Kevin Wondrash

Catholic Multicultural Center celebrates 10 years since reopening with Radiothon fundraiser

MADISON — Over 10 years ago, the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC), a social service agency serving Madison’s south side since 1946, was closed down by its parent organization due to tough economic times.

Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish stepped up to the plate to take on stewardship of the center, reopening its doors two months later.

The CMC is celebrating 10 years of growth and expanding services to people in need by hosting its eighth annual Radiothon fundraiser and community celebration with La Movida Spanish Radio, an event which will take place at the CMC on Friday, Dec. 13, from 12 noon to 7 p.m.

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Kevin Wondrash

Catholic Multicultural Center ‘International Night’

MADISON — The Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) has scheduled “International Night,” a fundraiser and community event at its Fitchburg location, 5256 Verona Rd., on Saturday, Sept. 8, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This family-friendly event will feature a diverse entertainment lineup, including stories of refugees and immigrants living in Madison, Mexican pop by Shelene, Russian singing by Anna Gubenkova, Middle Eastern dance, and a special area for child-focused activities, as well as delicious cuisine from a variety of countries.

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Kevin Wondrash

Catholic Multicultural Center ‘International Night’

MADISON — The Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) has scheduled “International Night,” a fundraiser and community event at its Fitchburg location, 5256 Verona Rd., on Saturday, Sept. 8, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This family-friendly event will feature a diverse entertainment lineup, including stories of refugees and immigrants living in Madison, Mexican pop by Shelene, Russian singing by Anna Gubenkova, Middle Eastern dance, and a special area for child-focused activities, as well as delicious cuisine from a variety of countries.

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Laura Green, For the Catholic Herald

Center welcomes immigrants, and they give back

CMC Madison
Marlene and Ray help in the food pantry at the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) in Madison. They have volunteered at the center for many years. Ray came to the United States from Mexico when he was 16 years old and later married Marlene. They raised a family of nine children. Ray became a citizen of the U.S. in the fall of 2017 with the help of CMC staff. (Contributed photo)

MADISON — The Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) in Madison has an extensive history working to welcome the stranger, actively serving immigrants from countries all over the world and all walks of life for the last three decades.

In 2017, CMC English as a Second Language classes served 163 students from 34 different countries who spoke 17 different languages.

Whether coming to the CMC seeking services, support, a sense of community, or to help out, each immigrant has their own story. Three immigrants at the CMC offered to share their stories.

Long journey to citizenship

Marlene and Ray have been volunteering at the CMC food pantry every week since 1995 and were actively involved with the CMC in different capacities even before that.

The CMC was recently blessed to experience a major milestone in the couple’s life: After being in the U.S. for 40 years, Ray became a U.S. citizen this past fall.

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