Changing Lives on the Mid-Shore: Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center after Ten Years

An organization that’s lasted ten years is a big deal. More significant still is that this particular organization has done so much to change the lives of so many on the Eastern Shore. What’s interesting, though, is that some may not be familiar with the work that the Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center (ChesRMC) does. The celebration they are about to put on is the perfect time to reflect on the critical work they’ve accomplished over the past decade and remind or introduce what this small but mighty group has done.

Started in 2012 by Peter and Marianne Byrnes, ChesRMC was created to meet the needs of the immigrant community on the Eastern Shore. Their first project provided an after-school program for 30 families from Easton Elementary. Now eleven years later, they have touched the lives of over 5,000 non-English-speaking families and individuals in Talbot and surrounding counties. They have also provided what they’ve identified as over 22,000 unique services, including, but not limited to, immigration consultations, referral services, after-school programs, language resources, etc.

ChesRMC is proud of the reputation they’ve built over the years and is confident of resolving most, if not all, issues facing its clients. They are also grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate with many local agencies to ensure their clients are connected to available community services. Matthew Peters, the Executive Director since its start, sees the organization as a ‘middleman’ creating relationships, understanding the obstacles, making resources available, and solving the issues.

To Peters, the satisfaction of seeing families go from not having any documentation to getting legal permanent status and then helping them get citizenship is one of the most gratifying parts of his job. “It benefits everyone in this community when people can take care of their families and contribute back to the community by working, paying taxes, and buying and consuming goods. Once everything is legal, they can freely participate and start going after things they thought were unattainable.” And one impossibility that has been overcome includes home ownership. The first three houses on the Hill rehabilitated by the town of Easton were all purchased by ChesRMC’s clients.

Of course, all of this takes an enormous amount of time and resources, and there are only seven staff members to do it all. In the past two months, from February to March 31, Peters alone handled 779 immigration types of services. Contrast that to the 559 that happened in all of 2022.

But Peters is quick to point out that what they don’t do, is charity. “We don’t give out food, and we don’t give out coats. All of our services are free. But it’s a service that will resolve something, whether assisting with a phone call, clearing up a hospital bill, getting a child enrolled in a special program, helping someone apply for a job, getting a green card, or becoming a citizen.”

In commemorating the 10th anniversary, ChesRMC hopes to celebrate all the hard work they’ve accomplished while also familiarizing the community with their goals. “We’re starting from square one with every new person we encounter,” said Peters. “We’re not like a humane society. We don’t fight cancer or address homelessness, poverty, or hunger. When we’re asked, ‘What do you do?’ and we talk about the Multicultural Center immigrant community, you see the confusion in people’s eyes. And that’s understandable because it’s not something people stop and think about how much of an impact this community does have. The reality is that the vast majority of our clients are very soft-spoken. They just want to work hard, want what anyone else wants, and prefer not to be highlighted.”

The Center’s commemoration is also an opportunity to thank and motivate partners, supporters, and donors.

Planning for the anniversary began months ago and is based on an idea suggested by photographer Steve Lingeman of taking photos of ChesRMC’s families. Richard Marks, a longtime advocate of the organization, recommended staging the exhibit at the Waterfowl Building as Dock Street Foundation did for the Ruth Starr Rose exhibit. “It’s a visual way,” said Peters, “for people to see that not every immigrant is the same. They don’t look the same, they don’t have the same family structure, and they don’t have the same background. Some are here with family, and some with no one at all. The only similarity is they were not born in the United States.”

The pictures and stories of these families and individuals have been mounted on display panels and will be exhibited at the Waterfowl Festival Pavilion. The celebration will consist of three events. Guests will be given a free half-hour guided group or personalized tour on April 20 and 21 (signup required). There will be an opening night preview party on Friday, April 21, 6-8 pm, featuring a keynote speaker with a unique insight into the immigrant community–Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor, Aruna Miller, whose own parents immigrated to the United States.  Food will be provided by La Bodega, and refreshments by Hair O’ the Dog. The main event will be on April 22 and is being described as a mini multicultural festival, with music and dancing presentations throughout the day.

Also highlighted will be the countries most represented by ChesRMC and boards featuring ChesRMC’s past ten years helping families succeed.  “It’s all about education and giving insight into the lives of community members,” said Peters. “We’re not provoking advocacy, judgment, or policy change. There is no agenda nor a political slant. It’s just the stories of some families and how they ended up here in Talbot County.”

Marks is pleased with how the exhibit will expose the work done by the group. “Every community would be fortunate and benefit from an organization providing a wide range of services and support to immigrants trying to manage the challenges of integrating and adapting to a new environment. Our community has one in ChesMRC. I am sure the next ten years will be as important and impactful as the last ten, helping families be present and prosper.”

As for the future, Peters is optimistic that they can continue to fulfill the requirements of the community and expand their services outside of Talbot County. “We are uncovering huge pockets of needs,” he said. “I think we can all agree that Easton is a resource mecca for the Eastern Shore. But there are certain areas where we can have a much more profound effect, especially for those in ‘resource deserts.’ This is where we need to create some satellite offices.”

Being the oasis to the immigrant community is something ChesRMC was born to do. If you want further proof, join the celebration, meet the families, and see the positive impact that the group has made in the lives of those who are underserved. Better yet, join them in their mission and be a part of creating a better future for all.

10th Anniversary Event:

April 20 – April 21: 9 am through 4 pm. Free 1/2 hour guided group or personalized tours open to the public: sign up here,

April 21: 6-8 pm. Preview night with music, stories, light hors d’oeuvres, wine, and beer. Tickets are available.

April 22: 9 am-2 pm. Free public viewing event with music and dancing presentations throughout the day at the Waterfowl Festival Pavilion. More info here.

Val Cavalheri is a writer and photographer. She has written for various publications, including The Washington Post.  Previously she served as the editor of several magazines, including Bliss and Virginia Woman. Although her camera is never far from her reach, Val retired her photography studio when she moved from Northern Virginia to the Eastern Shore a few years ago.. She and her husband, Wayne Gaiteri, have two children and one grandchild.