A message from Victoria Apostol-Marius, MRC Co-Executive Director
“Love in Action;” it’s not just our motto it’s how we do business. With all the challenges in 2021, we are so very grateful to the Foundations and donors who helped so many people to achieve their dreams.
In today’s world, it’s not easy for any small nonprofit organization that provides services to those in need. Migration Resource Center is no exception. The pandemic has hit all of us hard and many organizations have had to close their doors permanently. For those that remain open, every day is a challenge and the worries never stop; worries about salaries, clients, rent, utilities, improving services, technology, and many more.
Sometimes as a nonprofit leader, I want to quit and let it all go. Then I think about how many people depend on our work and how many lives can be changed for the better with the services that Migration Resource Center provides. I see the impact on clients’ lives when they receive an approval that ends years of waiting. Their smile, happiness, and faith in a better future confirms for me, once again, that we are doing something good. Migration Resource Center was the catalyst that restored hope and stability for individuals, families, and businesses. But still, the reader may ask, “How do you make that happen?” Well, the answer is both simple and complex; but, for starters, I can say that we ask for help too.
We ask for help from partner service providers, bigger organizations, the government, and private individuals. We ask for help from those who believe in our mission and vision, also. Of course, not all of them can help, but we never give up. So, when we do get a positive response, we are thrilled to use the help we receive to see even more people achieve their goals. Foundation grant funding was a huge part of that in 2021.
Some grant funds are restricted and can only be used in specific ways. In 2021, MRC received restricted funds from:
- The Edward & Ellen Roche Relief Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee to support our “Removing Barriers for Single Immigrant Mothers” ($25,000). This program started 4 years ago with a grant from the Fund and has, to-date, been instrumental in creating a new women-owned business, reuniting a U.S. citizen with her child in another country, seeing justice prevail for domestic abuse victims, provide work authorizations to single women supporting their families, to name just a few examples.
- Con Edison’s Power of Giving ($2,000) and the Annabelle Foundation ($2,000) that made possible, in part, education to low-income residents of Staten Island. This program provides educational opportunities on immigrant and taxpayer rights and responsibilities as well as fiscal literacy for immigrants.
As critical as these restricted funds are to the many, many immigrant and low-income people we serve, unrestricted funds are what support the infrastructure needed to make those services available. Some clients arrive at our office panicked, distraught, and scared. The human connection we provide calms them and gives them hope. That’s what happened when Migration Resource Center received general operations support in 2021 from:
- The Koster Foundation ($7,500)
- The Cowles Charitable Trust ($1,500)
These generous grants helped keep our doors open and continue to serve those in need. Being able to cover rent, insurance, utilities, payroll is of the utmost importance in assisting those who come to our door. This dynamic creates a beautiful cycle of support: we receive help from foundations and donors which, ultimately, means peoples’ lives improve; that’s how society changes for better.
One example from the past year is H, who has been in the US since the 90s. He lost his green card and ID, among other things, when his wallet was stolen. He needed those critical documents to attest to his lawful immigration status and that he is authorized to work here. When he arrived at our office, his anxiety level was very high. In addition, his facility in English is very low, which increased his alarm with the situation. We brought in a translator to help ensure that he could communicate and understand effectively and worked with some providers, services, and authorities on his behalf. Knowing that someone was helping him and that he would be able to replace the documents gave him peace of mind.
On this note, on behalf of our many clients like H, I would like to thank all Migration Resource Center supporters, friends, and partners, for all your support in making “Love In Action” a reality. We are all better and stronger together!
With sincere gratitude,
Victoria Apostol-Marius
MRC Co-Executive Director