City of Marion issued the following announcement on September 7.
A formal ribbon cutting ceremony for the Marion Ministry and Outreach Center will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, September 13 at the center office, located at 640 14th Street in Marion.
The MMOC will act as a hub for coordinating volunteer community service and connecting non-profit agencies with Marion residents who have limited access to social services housed in Cedar Rapids. Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly and other community leaders will take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony and will be available for comments. The Marion Ministry and Outreach Center was developed by members of King of Kings Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids in response to recent challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 derecho and changing demographics within the Marion community. The year 2020 revealed the need for coming together in many communities, including Marion, according to Marion Ministry and Outreach director Rich Balvanz.
“We hope this center will provide opportunities for Marion residents to rebuild a spirit of community that has diminished in recent times, especially during Covid,” Balvanz said. The center will house a database of community service opportunities and publicize them through online media. With a variety of service projects, community members may choose those that best fit their talents and capabilities.
The Marion Ministry and Outreach Center will also bring new services to Marion that do not currently exist locally. The center will provide operating space to non-profit groups such as the Marion Cares after school program, His Hands free medical clinic and Celebrate Recovery, a Christian addiction recovery program. CONTACT: Rich Balvanz Phone: 319-350-3276 Email: rbalvanz@kingofkingscr.org.
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