MVMC fundraising enables building purchase
by Lisa J. Church
Staff Writer
Feb 21, 2013 | 2082 views | 0 0 comments | 8 8 recommendations | email to a friend | print
08 MVMC
The Moab Valley Multicultural Center has purchased the building on 100 West where the center has been located for several years. Photo by Steve Kadel
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The Moab Valley Multicultural Center (MVMC) now owns the building where the center has been housed for the past several years, officials said in a news release last week. Through a successful capital fundraising campaign, the center was able to purchase the building at 156 N. 100 West last month.

The second phase of the capital campaign will include raising funds to improve energy efficiency to reduce operating costs at the facility, and other needed improvements.

MVMC Interim Director Rhiana Medina said the changes “will allow the Multicultural Center to expand their current education and outreach programs and services.”

The MVMC board of directors is also considering ideas for how best to utilize the land adjacent to the center, Medina said.

“The community garden program will be downsized and the Multicultural Center will make plans for how to use that property,” she said. “We are also exploring ways to become more sustainiable ... and setting goals for future fundraising efforts.”

MVMC officials recently held a meeting with local business and government leaders to gather ideas to help improve the center’s future sustainability, she said.

“It’s been exciting to hear what they have had to say,” Medina said.

MVMC also got a financial boost last week when the Episcopal Diocese of Utah presented the center with a $50,000 donation. The grant was given to the center as a six-month challenge to encourage community members, donors, and organizations to help match the funding through local contributions. 

Latino Missioner of Utah Rev. Pablo Ramos and Rev. Isabel González traveled from Salt Lake City for the presentation. Moab Mayor Dave Sakrison was also in attendance, along with the MVMC’s staff, board chairman James Tendick, and other supporters.

Ramos read a statement from Episcopal Bishop Scott B. Hayashi during the presentation.

“The grant is a result of the congregations of St. Francis and San Francisco’s strong belief in the importance of the work of the center,” Hayashi’s statement said. “Bridging cultural differences and helping those in need is a good and holy work.”

Hayashi expressed hope that the church’s donation will be matched within the following months to further support the work that the center does.

“The help rendered by the MVMC is of vital need to those who receive it,” Hayashi wrote.

MVMC serves minority populations within the Moab community, and provides cultural and education programs to all residents of Grand County. 

“The Center is a great resource for the citizens of the city and their government,” Sakrison said. “All the citizens of Moab benefit from its efforts.”
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