SUMMARIES OF OUR PROGRAMS
(for more information on any of these programs, give us a call at (435) 259-5444 or an email at info [AT] moabvalleymulticulturalcenter [DOT] org)

General Services - Leticia Bentley provides general services on Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m., first Tuesdays from 8 to 11 a.m., second Tuesdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in order to provide referral, interpretation and translation services on an individual basis, by appointment (partial list below). During the Monday and Wednesday service times, the center is also staffed by a number of Spanish-speaking volunteers.

General services include:

A. Interpretation and translation of school letters and documents, court documents, medical information, business relations and work issues (clarifying hours, pay scale, expectations

B. Referrals for medical appointments, Four Corners, Head Start, Health Dept. (WIC, Immunizations, etc.), Seekhaven, DCFS, Housing Authority, etc.

C. Advocacy for issues relating to work, health, rental and housing, etc.

D. Consultation regarding assimilation issues, ie. How to function in America
        1. Cultural understandings (Examples include information on
        how to get a driver's license, legal information, immigration
        problems, financial and tax information)
        2. Education
            a. Designing workshops - Health, Labor, Financial,
            Immigration, Parenting, Breast-Feeding, etc.
            b. Facilitating Employer-Employee understandings
            c. Health, Nutrition, Herb and Fitness classes
            d. Substance Abuse Prevention classes

Translation and Interpretation. Leticia Bentley is frequently called on to do interpretation for doctors, the hospital, courts, employer-employee relations and interpretation or translation for other legal work. Moab Valley Multicultural Center provides, or will provide, interpretation and translation services to all individuals and businesses in need. This entails interpreting verbally and translating written documents for individuals, families and businesses.

Classes. Offerings at the center include an educational component with after-school tutoring through a partnership with BEACON for children K - 8, and a tutor club through Title VII for Native American Club high school students on Thursday evenings, English Language Learner (ELL) classes for adults, AA classes in Spanish, a Spanish-language women's support group, classes in Ballet Folklorico, computer classes, and times for internet access. Occasional classes have included workshops on locally grown medicinal plants, a Spanish class for English speakers, an intercambio conversational class, and substance abuse workshops for Hispanic youth and Native American youth.

Food Bank. The Utah Food Bank brings perishable food for a monthly drop at the center for distribution to families at or below the poverty level. Clients for this service include many Native Americans and other ethnicities in addition to the Hispanics.

Workshops for Spanish speakers. The center provides workshops almost monthly for outreach to the Spanish-speaking population. Workshops have included: 1)bringing the mobile Mexican Consulate to provide immigrant ID cards and passports, 2)bringing the Labor Commission to explain worker's rights, 3) co-sponsoring a resource fair including Zion's Bank, Worker's Compensation, the Governor's Office of Ethnic Affairs, and Pete Suazo's Business Center to familiarize Spanish-speaking citizens with all aspects of banking, finance and employment issues, and 4) collaborating with Allen Memorial Hospital and the Utah Multicultural Health Department to create a Spanish-language Health Fair.

Youth Educational Programs. To meet the goal of promoting cultural awareness, appreciation, and interaction, MVMC is collaborating with the Grand County School District, BEACON, Club Red, the Youth Garden Project, the Native American Club and other interested participants in an effort called "Cultural Connections". Together the various entities are working to develop ongoing cultural programs throughout the school year.

Multicultural Festival. Together the above entities are also gearing up for a grand "Festival of Cultures" diversity celebration the first weekend of May, 2008. MVMC has written a Humanities Council grant for this event and will be bringing Native American and Hispanic teachers, philosophers and elders to Moab to participate in workshops and presentations. MVMC encourages local people of all ethnic backgrounds to participate with booths demonstrating and selling their native foods, showing native dress and cultural artifacts, selling their jewelry and art, "talking story", and in other ways, displaying important understandings from their culture. Plans include a parade, stage performances of music and dance with participation from all local ethnic musicians and dancers, such as the Desert Veil Belly Dancers, the Taiko drummers, local bands, Navajo drummers and dancers, and the MVMC Balet Folklorico dancers.

Medical Services. A Spanish-speaking pediatrician, Dr. Ada van Vloten, comes to the center from Price once a month on the first Monday of every month, from 3-7PM and the first Tuesday from 8-11AM. Call the Center for appointments.