"Many Cultures, One Community."

The Center, located at 309 Genesee Street in Utica. grew out of the inspiration of Roberta Douglas whose concern for Amerasian children led her to work with refugees.

The Center was officially established in 1979 and incorporated in 1981.

Since its inception, the Center has helped resettle over 14,000 refugees from more than 31 countries.

Those countries include Bosnia, Cambodia, Czechoslovakia, Haiti, Hungary, Laos, Poland, Romania, the former Soviet Union, Vietnam, Sudan, Somalia Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, China, Somalia and Burma.

Kevin Marken, Director of Marketing and Development at the Center, says the refugees all come with their own cultures and  help to build a new community and a brighter future for Utica.

Marken says that's one of the reasons why the United Nations High Commission on Refugees picked Utica as a "Town That Loves Refugees."

He says that's something we can be very, very proud of.

Marken says the most rewarding part about working at the MVRCR is helping people who are most in need and who are very, very grateful for the opportunity that Utica and America provides.

For more details and ticket information on Culture Fest, click here.

photo courtesy of MVRCR
photo courtesy of MVRCR
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