In 1992, in response to changes in the dynamic and the demographics of the city of Marlborough, Mayor Michael Hogan received a grant to create a new agency.

This new non-profit was established with two purposes:

• The first was to address the increasing, and unmet demands on an existing “all volunteer-run” food pantry that was floundering and overwhelmed.
• The second would initiate a program to focus on the emerging and growing needs of a multicultural, multi-ethnic, and limited English-speaking community.

Marilyn Perry was hired as Executive Director, and responsible for overseeing the development of the Food Pantry. Fatinha Kerr was hired as Director of Cross-cultural Services.

Soon after MCSI was established, a needs assessment committee was formed to help design an agency that would best meet the emerging needs of a changing community. Strategically comprised of community members from various sectors, this original committee included city officials, department heads, corporate leaders, health providers, educators, and other community representatives.

After the agency was created, some of these individuals remained (and still serve) as board members and staff, to continue to shape the agency, as we know it today. After two years, Marilyn left MCSI to become an Aide to Congressman Meehan, and Fatinha became Executive Director to oversee all programs.

Until the late 1990’s, multiple funding sources, special grants and a “social services friendly” administration (National, State and Municipal) allowed MCSI to grow and hold many programs that included, among others:

• English classes,
• citizenship preparation,
• exclusive interpreter and translation services to the hospital and police,
• nutrition classes,
• cultural programs,
• and other educational opportunities for staff, consumers, and the community at large.

MCSI’s central office at this time was located at 11-A Florence Street, and the agency employed as many as seven full-time staff, along with several paid consultants.

In the year 2001, when many state contracts were reduced or eliminated, MCSI accordingly cut back in programs, reducing staff to four FTEs and moving to the present more modest quarters at the Walker building.

When the September 11 tragedy hit our nation, all existing immigrant legalization programs came to a screeching halt, funding was further decreased or eliminated, consumer needs grew exponentially, and we began to feel the severe impact of declining revenues, in contrast with an exponential growth in local consumer needs. Services and programs were pared accordingly…