◈ Homepage — http://www.multiculturalmarin.org/Toggle High Contrast Toggle Font size WHO WE ARE WHAT WE DO MRRN CALENDAR VOLUNTEER DONATE Search 3PM – 6PM APRIL 29TH TISCORNIA MARSH FLOOD AND HABITAT DEGRADATION PREVENTION. LEARN MORE HEALING CIRCLES OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPRESSION AND HEALING Learn More YOUTH & FAMILY RESOURCES We provide pathways for leadership development, personal growth, and healthy self-expression for young people and their families. COMMUNITY RESILIENCE We harness the wisdom and the resources inherent in our communities to mobilize and coordinate support efforts that strengthen well-being. ARTS, CULTURE, & MEDIA We embrace the cultural gifts inherent in our people and foster opportunities to celebrate cultural identity and experience through a variety of expressions. Sign Up for Emergency Alerts Listos California offers an Emergency Alerts sign-up page to help connect Californians to their local alerts systems based on a provided zip code or location. The resource also explains the meanings of common alerts and identifies social media accounts associated with local government and first responders.   Click the button below to find out what alerts are available in your area and how to sign up for them. SIGN UP OUR NEWSLETTER Keep in touch with the latest going on in the community. Know when our next event is or if they're any upcoming changes to our current programs. SUBSCRIBE Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources EN ◈ Interior Pages — 17 pages crawledCommunity Resilience | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page Community Resilience The Community Resilience team works alongside local residents to build a safer, stronger, and more connected Marin community through grassroots leadership, emergency preparedness , and climate justice. We focus especially on serving the Canal and other communities most impacted by environmental and systemic inequities, with a commitment to bilingual, culturally relevant outreach. Lifting Leaders United in Resiliency Lifting Leaders is the core program of the Community Resilience Department, supporting community-led initiatives and giving voice to the underrepresented residents in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael, and Marin County. It is the umbrella group made up of longtime residents, parents, and youth working together to build resiliency, leadership, and advocacy. As they tackle climate justice projects, existing and emerging Leaders are developing skills such as public speaking, evaluating policies, and improving their digital literacy to ensure their community thrives. To date, Leaders have spoken at city council meetings, hosted community events, engaged in focus groups and participated in local radio shows to raise awareness and spark change. Learn More CLIMATE JUSTICE Voices of the Community Rooted in our Lifting Leaders program, the Canal’s community leaders collaborate with stakeholders and policymakers to advocate for environmental justice in vulnerable communities. Learn More Emergency preparedness Learning New Skills The Emergency Preparedness program ensures that communities across Marin County are informed, connected, and ready before disaster strikes. Learn More Learn more Email us Name Email Address Message Send Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Arts, Culture, and Media | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page Arts, Culture, & Media Cuerpo Corazón Communidad Health and wellness for body, heart, and community. Cuerpo Corazón Comunidad (Body, Heart, Community) significantly influences the lives of immigrant communities in Marin County. It acts as a vital source of information, preserves cultural heritage, fosters community integration, bridges cultural divides, encourages civic engagement, and offers comfort and connection in the immigrant experience. This impactful program is a Spanish-language weekly radio and online platform that explores various aspects of individual health, well-being, arts & culture, and current events impacting the community. These topics encompass substance use, stress management, domestic violence, trauma, and related subjects. Furthermore, Cuerpo Corazón Comunidad features experts as guests on each show, actively participating in the program and furthering the mission of sharing valuable information and resources with the community. TAY Radio Marin Amplifying Youth Voices. TAY Radio is a catalyst for the transformation of young minds, igniting their curiosity and sparking intellectual growth. It amplifies the voices of the youth, allowing them to discuss crucial topics, from mental health to social justice, fostering dialogue and awareness. Through music, talk shows, and interviews, TAY Radio becomes a source of inspiration, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among its youthful audience. Moreover, TAY Radio acts as a bridge between generations, allowing older and younger individuals to engage in meaningful conversations. It offers the wisdom of the past while embracing the innovation of the present, encouraging youth to explore new horizons while respecting the lessons of history. In essence, TAY Radio is not just a source of entertainment; it is a transformative force that molds young hearts and minds, nurturing a generation of informed, empowered, and inspired individuals ready to take on the challenges of the world. To learn more, visit the TAY Radio Marin Facebook page . MCM Studios No Project Too Big Or Too Small We understand that there are many creative and talented members of our community who may have limited resources to record and edit their mixed media projects, we aim to remove these barriers to allow for creative communal growth. At the MCM Media Studio, you will be able to produce your own music, commercials, Public Service Announcements, and even a podcast! The Multicultural Center of Marin (MCM) Media Studio is here to serve our community members and organizations by providing support in creating professional and affordable multi-media projects with a wide arrange of services made available at a very affordable rate. Learn more about our studio Dia de los Muertos Day of the Dead annual festival For 36 years, the traditions of Día de Los Muertos — Day of the Dead — have been honored and celebrated by community members of San Rafael and beyond. The celebration comes from the ancient wisdom of the indigenous people of Meso and South America. Through the years it has been open to many spiritual influences of this ever-developing world and changing universe we live in. The multicultural community of the Canal Neighborhood hosts an annual Día de Los Muertos celebration and welcomes residents and visitors to San Rafael to share in a grateful acknowledgment of the continuing ebb and flow of existence. The Multicultural Center of Marin is a co-organizer of the event and contributes to the goal of honoring the cultural assets of immigrant communities and sharing the cultural legacy of Latin American cultures with Marin residents. Learn more about this year’s festival . Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Careers | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page Careers Join the team No Open Job Position Follow Follow Follow Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Donate | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page Donate Support Multicultural Center of Marin We connect community members to advocate for social and environmental justice for all to thrive. We accomplish our mission through the provision of services in the areas of Community Resilience, Youth & Families, Basic Needs Support, and Arts & Culture. Make a donation today Help us empower the people who are working every day to lift up the community. The Multicultural Center of Marin, Former Canal Welcome Center, is a 501-C-3 charitable and educational organization and all contributions are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 83-0485451. Other ways to donate Matching Gift An employer may match any charitable contributions or volunteer hours made by their employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, please send your employer’s name here or call 415-526-2486. Snail Mail If you prefer to mail your donation, please make a check payable to Multicultural Center of Marin and mail it to: Multicultural Center of Marin, 709 Fifth Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901. Wire Transfer / Gift of Stock If you would like to make a donation via wire transfer or gift of stock, please contact Kristen Gardner or call 415-526-2486. Donate Car/Truck/RV Careasy.org can convert a car, truck, motorcycle, RV, or boat into a tax-deductible donation benefiting MCM. You can donate online or call 855-500-RIDE. Follow Follow Follow Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Post Election | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page When you are in doubt, be still, and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. So long as mists envelop you, be still; be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists — as it surely will. Then act with courage. – Chief White Eagle, Ponca At this moment we stand with our community as we consider which threats, entrenched in the deep racism of this country, will be made real. At the Multicultural Center of Marin we will continue to serve our community and each other, and will continue to create safe spaces for those most vulnerable. We will continue to embrace our mission and in the face of oppression, celebrate the power of art and culture because we will not be erased. Our strength is in our interconnection with those we serve. Our resistance will be rooted in joy, compassion, and courage. Our path forward will be marked by unwavering resilience, fierce compassion, and unbreakable unity, because together, we are unstoppable. Yours, Lisa Bennett, And the Staff of MCM Cuando tenga duda, quédese quieto y espere; cuando la duda ya no exista para usted, entonces siga adelante con valentía. Mientras las nieblas le envuelvan, quédese quieto; quédese quieto hasta que la luz del sol se filtre y disipen las nieblas. como seguramente lo hará. Entonces actúe con valentía. – Jefe Águila Blanca, Ponca En este momento apoyamos a nuestra comunidad mientras consideramos qué amenazas, con raíces en el racismo profundo de este país, se harán realidad. En el Centro Multicultural de Marin continuaremos sirviendo a nuestra comunidad y a los demás y continuaremos creando espacios seguros para los más vulnerables. Continuaremos adoptando nuestra misión y frente a la opresión, celebraremos el poder del arte y la cultura porque no seremos erradicados. Nuestra fuerza está en nuestra conexión con aquellos a quienes servimos. Nuestra resistencia tendrá sus raíces en la alegría, la compasión y el coraje. Nuestro camino adelante estará marcado por una resiliencia firme, una compasión feroz y una unidad incapaz de quebrar, porque juntos somos imparables. Atentamente, Lisa Bennett, Y el personal de MCM Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Team | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page Our Team Lisa Bennett Executive Director Esmeralda M. Garcia Director of Programs Daisy Renoj HR Specialist Alberto Martinez Accountant Kevin Limeta Youth and Family Program Manager Stephany Barahona Presente Program Coordinator Kimberly Nicaso Partners for Success Parent Partner Jose Reyes Youth Outreach Specialist Marco Berger Community Resilience Manager Mila Eliaschev Community Resilience Coordinator CRIS CRIOLLO CLIMATE JUSTICE POLICY AND PLANNING SPECIALIST SOLANGE ECHEVERRIA FACILITIES OFFICE MANAGER, CUERPO CORAZON COMMUNIDAD HOST Santy Hernandez GRAPHIC DESIGNER, Social Media & Media Coordinator Javier Vicuna Studio Manager Karina Ramirez-Cortez Arts & Culture Coordinator Gerardo Coordinator Ria Coordinator Follow Follow Follow Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources MulticulturalMarin.org Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page We stand with our community We Stand With Our Community Sea Level Rise Working Group Sea Level Rise Working Group Career Fair 3pm – 6pm April 29th Tiscornia Marsh Flood and habitat degradation prevention. LEARN MORE Healing Circles Opportunities for Expression and Healing Learn More Youth & Family Resources We provide pathways for leadership development, personal growth, and healthy self-expression for young people and their families. Community Resilience We harness the wisdom and the resources inherent in our communities to mobilize and coordinate support efforts that strengthen well-being. Arts, Culture, & Media We embrace the cultural gifts inherent in our people and foster opportunities to celebrate cultural identity and experience through a variety of expressions. Sign Up for Emergency Alerts Listos California offers an Emergency Alerts sign-up page to help connect Californians to their local alerts systems based on a provided zip code or location. The resource also explains the meanings of common alerts and identifies social media accounts associated with local government and first responders.   Click the button below to find out what alerts are available in your area and how to sign up for them. SIGN UP Our Newsletter Keep in touch with the latest going on in the community. Know when our next event is or if they're any upcoming changes to our current programs. Success! First Name Last Name Email Subscribe Follow Follow Follow Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Contact | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page Contact Us Multicultural Center of Marin 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 415.526.2486 Send us your feedback Name Email Address Message Send Follow Follow Follow Follow Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Staff Resources | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page Password Protected To view this protected post, enter the password below: Password: Submit Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Marin Rapid Response Network | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page 24 HOUR HOTLINE: 415-991-4545 The Rapid Response Network provides a way for people to respond to fear and anxiety in our community as a result of the increase in immigration enforcement, ICE actions and other attacks against our immigrant communities The network provides a 24-hour hotline to immigrants facing a raid by federal immigration agents, dispatches trained legal observers to the raid location, and provides references to resources for affected communities. Please do not call the hotline with questions about training. Instead, you can email us at [email protected] . MARIN COUNTY Here in Marin County we embrace our common humanity. Immigrant communities are deeply rooted in our county’s social fabric. We know that immigrants are a vital part of our families and communities. We firmly believe all people are created equal, and every human being deserves due process, no matter what they look like or where they were born. 1. If you have witnessed potential ICE arrests or activity, please call 415-991-4545 – the Rapid Response hotline. Record and document as much specific information as possible. 2. The hotline is staffed by immigrant rights advocates and will connect to teams of trained legal observers and immigration attorneys who will investigate reports of ICE actions. If you are a primary witnesses to a possible ICE event, we need you to come forward. 3. When talking to or in front of law enforcement, anything you say can and will be used against you – don’t share your name, do not show any identification, especially your foreign passport, AB 60 license, or consular card. Don’t talk about your immigration status, citizenship, when or how you came to the U.S., or where you’re from. If arrested, remain calm, and do not sign anything. Request to speak to an attorney. It is critical that our community remembers the importance of Power over Panic. Please verify before you post or share. Rumors about raids can spread like wildfire and create confusion and trauma. Know Your Rights If immigration is at your door  Don’t open the door Without a valid warrant signed by a judge, ICE cannot enter your home. ​  Remain silent You have the right under U.S. constitution to remain silent.  Call (415)-991-4545 The Rapid Response Network can help you during and after the incident.  Show your red card to the agent Without opening the door, pass it under the door or show it through the window. l Don’t sign anything You have the right to speak to a lawyer. We can support you. Immigrant Resources Many organizations have created a variety of materials to educate the community and prepare individuals for possible encounters with immigration authorities. Preparedness Plan A family preparedness plan in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Rapid Response Network A list of Rapid Response Network phone numbers for regions throughout Northern California. Non-Profit Legal Services A directory of non-profit legal services providers across the country. National Registration Requirement: Know Your Rights: Trump’s Registration Requirement for Immigrants Marin Rapid Response Network Flyer Download the MRRN Salute / Lucha Flyer EMPLOYER KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TRAINING Free for local employers. Learn your rights as en employer, internal protocols, staff communication plans, tools. Download Flyer Register May 6th Spanish Register May 7th Interested in being trained as a Legal Observer? Legal Observers respond directly to the site of an ongoing ICE raid. Observers bear witness to immigration enforcement actions and provide data for the network and the impacted community member’s legal defense. Click Here We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality of your personal information. We want to be clear that no mobile information you provide to us will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. We do not share, sell, or disclose your personal data to any third parties, except where required by law or with your explicit consent. This includes ensuring that text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will never be shared with any third parties. By using our services, you consent to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at [email protected] Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Youth and Family Empowerment | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page Youth & Family Empowerment Presente Standing strong. The Presente Program empowers at risk youth ages 15 to 19 by offering a safe and supportive space where they can explore their strengths, build confidence, and unlock their full potential. Through dynamic workshops, outdoor cultural experiences, and community based projects, participants develop essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, and time management. These skills help prepare them for success in school, the workplace, and life. Presente is more than a skills based program; it is a transformative experience. It helps youth recognize their worth, reclaim their narratives, and understand that they have the power to shape their own futures. Through this journey, they begin to see themselves as leaders not only in their own lives, but within their communities. As one participant shared: “I am so happy to be a part of Presente. If it weren’t for Presente, I never would have learned skills that will help me in the future.” By investing in their growth, we are nurturing a new generation of confident, compassionate, and community driven changemakers. Apply Here Presente Alumni Learning New Skills The Presente Alumni Program is the next step for youth who have completed the Presente Fellowship and are ready to take their leadership to the next level. Alumni move beyond workshops and into real-world action, applying the skills they gained to shape change in their communities. Whether serving on commissions, partnering with local organizations, or leading initiatives that address urgent issues, Alumni are no longer just learning about leadership, they are practicing it. This program is a powerful continuation of their journey. It transforms the confidence, resilience, and skills built in the Fellowship into action that influences policy, strengthens communities, and inspires others. Alumni emerge as advocates and changemakers who are committed to justice, equity, and creating opportunities for those who come after them. By investing in our Alumni, we are fueling a generation of leaders who carry the spirit of Presente forward: fearless, compassionate, and determined to make a difference. Apply Here Partners for Success Working with young people and their families. Young individuals, especially those hailing from immigrant or noncitizen backgrounds, encounter a multitude of obstacles when striving to find their voice within contemporary society. Some may find themselves entangled with the legal system, navigating the juvenile justice system, where they often face social isolation, marginalization, and separation from their families during a period when community support is paramount. The Partners for Success initiative, spearheaded by the Multicultural Center of Marin, serves as a guiding light for youth entangled in conflicts. Our program offers mentorship and direction to young individuals entwined in the juvenile justice system, aiding them in crafting a path toward success—from fulfilling their probation requirements to graduating high school, accessing employment opportunities, and gaining entry to college. We accomplish this through close collaboration with staff from the Juvenile Division of the Probation Department of Marin and our community partners. A pivotal element of the Partners for Success initiative is our parent-partner program, meticulously designed to address the needs of young individuals within the context of their homes and families. We educate and empower parents, equipping them with the tools and resources necessary to effectively engage with the juvenile detention, mental health, and healthcare systems. Our collective efforts are fostering increased stability and enhanced quality of care for families and young individuals throughout Marin. Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Board | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page Board Roberto Hernandez Board President Tracy Vega Vice President Victoria Canby Secretary & Treasurer John Wallace Board Member Larkin Sealy Board Member Khadija Hansia-Gibson Board Member Follow Follow Follow Follow Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Calendar New | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page What We’re Up To in the Community MCM & Community Events Join us at events we host, support, and participate in. Learn more about our upcoming podcast show dates and community gatherings aligned with our mission. Our Events Puentes Con Nuestros Hijos April 21 • 5:30pm – 7pm SIGN UP FOR ADDRESS INFORMATION Nuestro grupo ofrece un ambiente acogedor donde los padres pueden compartir experiencias, buscar orientación y construir conexiones duraderas con otros que enfrentan desafíos similares en la crianza. Este será un espacio seguro y sin juicios para que los padres compartan sus sentimientos, sus cargas y reciban consejos. No es necesario registrarse Employer KYR Training Spanish Wednesday, May 6 • 2pm – 3pm VIRTUAL EVENT The Marin Rapid Response Network invites local employers to a free, in-person training. We’ll address increasing ICE activity at workplaces, review employer rights and responsibilities, discuss internal protocols, and share practical tools to respond calmly and effectively. Marin employers of all sizes are encouraged to attend. Learn More Here Cuerpo Corazon Comunidad Wednesday, May 20th • 11:00am – 12:00pm LIVE ON FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE Cuerpo Corazón Comunidad supports immigrant communities in Marin County by sharing information, preserving culture, fostering connection, and encouraging civic engagement. This Spanish-language weekly radio and online program explores health, arts, culture, current events, and features expert guests too. Learn More Here Community - Healing Circles Thursday, May 21st • 6:00pm 709 FIFTH AVE, SAN RAFAEL Healing circles, rooted in Indigenous traditions, create a shared space for community expression and deep listening. Often centered on a specific concern, they encourage understanding, accountability, and connection, making them powerful practices for transformation and the healing of harm, conflict, or division together today. Learn More Here Annual Dia De Muertos For 36 years, t he multicultural community of the Canal Neighborhood hosts the Día de Muertos celebration and welcomes residents and visitors to San Rafael to share in a grateful acknowledgment of the continuing ebb and flow of existence. The Multicultural Center of Marin is a co-organizer of the event and contributes to the goal of honoring the cultural assets of immigrant communities and sharing the cultural legacy of Latin American cultures with Marin residents. Count Down Has Started Day(s) : Hour(s) : Minute(s) : Second(s) Learn More Here Community Events Events listed on this calendar are shared for community awareness. We do not host or manage these events. Event details, changes, and cancellations are determined by the organizing organization. Marin Providers Family Circle A monthly meeting of case managers, social service providers, nonprofits, and county and community agencies to share services, build collaborations, expand outreach, and host guest speakers. 2nd Friday of the Month 709 5th Ave, San Rafael 11AM – TBT Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Our Mission | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page Our Mission We connect community members to advocate for social and environmental justice for all to thrive. We accomplish our mission through the provision of services in the areas of Community Resilience, Youth & Families, Basic Needs Support, and Arts & Culture. Our Story It began with a desire to forge a sense of community among the residents of the Canal district in Marin County, a neighborhood that had historically served as a new home for immigrants arriving in northern California. In the early 2000s, the San Francisco Foundation recognized the potential of this diverse and vibrant, yet underserved neighborhood to be a model of social innovation and community development. They selected the Canal district and several of its community members to be recipients of the Daniel E. Koshland Civic Unity Program fellowship. The program provides support to neighborhoods whose residents are ready and willing to roll up their sleeves and tackle challenges in their community with a spirit of collaboration, creativity, and commitment. Douglas Mundo, a recent immigrant from El Salvador living in the Canal district, was chosen to lead the effort. Together with other leaders from the community, he initiated a series of listening sessions and community development efforts that would, in 2002, grow to form the Canal Welcome Center. In 2007, the Canal Welcome Center officially became its own not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, with Douglas Mundo as executive director. Taking Root During the decade the followed, the Canal Welcome Center became a fixture in the community. A social gathering space was carved out for residents to come together and connect. And new programs were developed to help residents develop their own business enterprises, address common social concerns in the community, and find ways to express their cultural identity. As the Canal Welcome Center continued to grow and expand its programs and its partnerships with other Marin County organizations and agencies, so did the populations it served. Immigrants from Brazil, Africa, the Philippines, and the Middle East were taking up residence alongside people from Vietnam and Latin America. They had their own unique needs and experiences to share with the broader community. And so the vision for what the Canal Welcome Center could be and could do within the community outgrew its very name. Becoming MCM In 2018, the Canal Welcome Center formally rebranded as the Multicultural Center of Marin. Today, we stand as a testament to the cultural wisdom and diversity that is inherent in the immigrant communities that make up Marin County. Through training, mentorship, collaboration, and community organizing, the Multicultural Center of Marin provides the pathways and opportunities for people of these diverse communities to come together in strength. And by doing so, they become a wellspring for creating positive, community-rooted solutions throughout Marin County. Follow Follow Follow Follow Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Steering Committee | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page San Rafael – Canal Sea Level Rise Working Group BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO SAN RAFAEL’S SEA LEVEL RISE. Global warming is changing our climate. It is predicted that if we don’t act now parts of the Canal Neighborhood and downtown San Rafael will be prone to frequent floods in the near future . If you would like to join, sign up at the bottom of the page. Español FAQ What will the Sea Level Rise Working Group do? The Sea Level Rise Working Group will partner with other community groups to strength ongoing advocay and ensure continued community paricipation in decision making processes that advance community resilience. The group intends to coordinate with the City, County, and other governmental agencies that are actively planning for Sea Level Rise adaptation in San Rafael and the Canal Area, fostering alignment across efforts and promoting equitable implementation. See the map for a more detailed outline of the affected areas. Open letter from the Sea Level rise working group The Sea Level Rise Working Group is asking for inmediate actions to prevent flooding in the Canal Area. Read More Past Studies and Information about Sea Level Rise Learn more about past studies and planning around Sea Level Rise Adaptation. https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/sea-level-rise-collaborative/ Why do we need to adapt to Sea Level Rise? Global warming has increased the instances of flooding in low-lying neighborhoods. Sea level has risen ~8 inches from 1990 . It is projected to rise about 12 inches (~1 ft) by 2050 Approximately 80% of the residents are immigrants from Central and South American countries Approximately 16,000 people live in the 2.5 square mile area. 35% of residents in the Canal are living in poverty, with a majority of households earning between $35,000 to $75,000 per year. The media in Marin is $142,000 – $149,000 While 93% of Marin County youth earn a high school diploma, only 43% of Canal residents do. Some parts of San Rafael including the Canal are expected to subside another 2-4 feet in the next 30-70 years due to development in Marsh Lands. Read More Here Opciones para Adaptarnos al Aumento del Nivel del Mar en San Rafael 2025 Este folleto presenta información basada en el Estudio de Factibilidad Técnica de las opciones de adaptación para el aumento del nivel del mar en San Rafael, promovido por el proyecto colaborativo para la subida del nivel del mar. Este proyecto se enfocó en el área de el Canal, por ser considerada unas de las áreas más vulnerables en toda el área de la bahía de San Francisco. El objetivo es compartir de forma clara que opciones podemos implementar para preparar nuestys hogares y servicios esenciales frente al riesgo de inundaciones. Mas Aqui The Sea Level Rise Working Group Berenice Gonzalez Belter Gaitan Margarita Herrera Marina Palma Jose Arce   Rita Mazariegos Zully Lopez Esperanza Morales Gilmar Lopez Raquel Sanchez Carolyn Kneiblher Claire Taylor Angel Minor Tour Hamiltion Wetlands Restoration Project • March, 2024 The Sea Level Rise Working Group members learning about restoration wetlands in Novato. Subscribe To Join Questions? Contact Us  Cris Criollo Enviromental Justice Planning and Policy Specialist  [email protected]  415.960.7042  709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael CA Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Toy Drive | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page MCM’S Toy Drive Marin County We collect gifts to support children from newborn to 17 years old. Sponsor a Family Donate Here 2024 Report All recipients are from low-income backgrounds and underserved communites. Ages Served Number of families served mumber of children served 2024 – DONORS Nancy Shultz Community Member Contact US 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 Follow Follow Name Email Address Message Submit Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources Career Fair | Multicultural Center of Marin Who We Are Our Mission Board Team Careers Contact What We Do Youth & Family Empowerment Community Resilience Arts, Culture, & Media Toy Drive MRRN Calendar Volunteer Donate Select Page Career Fair Wednesday : April 29th 3pm – 6pm RSVP 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 Sponsor Contact Us Youth & Family Services Team Meet the Hosts Why a Career Fair? For the past three years, TAY Radio has hosted the Career Fair after hearing directly from TAY youth about the need for greater representation, access to opportunity, and connection to career pathways in Marin. Youth from underrepresented communities consistently shared that they wanted to see themselves reflected in professional spaces and learn from individuals with shared lived experiences. Building on this work, the Career Fair is now transitioning to the Youth and Family Services Department, where it will continue to expand and ensure that youth are equally served, supported, and connected to resources across Marin. This transition allows the Career Fair to grow while staying rooted in the values of equity, access, and youth voice that originally shaped it. Interested in having your business table at this event? Business Application Free Event • Limited Capacity RSVP $ Send Us A Message Name Email Address Message Submit Resume Building • Interview Prep College & Career Building Construyendo tu futuro Location Key Career Fair Train Station Bus Station Sponsors Multicultural Center of Marin • 709 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 • 415.526.2486 • Staff Resources