Building a New Home for the Marjaree Mason Center

The need is critical.
The time is now.

Operating from headquarters constructed in 1913 as a private home, the Marjaree Mason Center has been Fresno County’s only dedicated provider of domestic violence shelter and supportive services since opening in 1979. We’re proud to have helped thousands of women and families experience hope and healing through the years. But the ongoing need is far greater than our current footprint can accommodate.

In December of 2022, the Marjaree Mason Center purchased a 5.5- acre property in Fresno with an existing 37,680 sq. ft. building. In its 60-year history, the building was home to several educational organizations including Heald College and The Milan Institute. Now, it’s in the process of being modernized to meet today’s building and operational standards to become a 24/7 trauma-informed facility dedicated to serving survivors of domestic violence. Construction is set to be complete December 13, 2024!

Every donation made now through December 1, 2024 will be matched up to $1 million by the Isnardi Foundation!

Designed to meet our most critical needs:
Capacity, Accessibility & Safety.

Capacity

The need: The Marjaree Mason Center has significantly outgrown our current headquarters and crisis drop-in center in downtown Fresno, originally built in 1913 as a private home. Given the National Historic Registry designation and no adjacent land, expansion in our current location is not possible.

The solution: The new building will more than double the footprint for critical non-residential services including a dedicated Crisis Response Suite, Children’s Enrichment Center, Medical Exam Room, Counseling Center, 100-Person Training Center and more.

Accessibility

The need: Our services are currently spread across several locations, requiring transportation between sites. This not only creates barriers for survivors, but creates significant operational inefficiencies.

The solution: The new building is located near the Blackstone corridor, FAX bus line 1 and Freeway 41, and will consolidate all Fresno Metro locations, making it easily accessible to both survivors and community partners. Operational efficiencies will be enhanced as we consolidate locations, and the shared-space design will allow survivors to engage care from law enforcement and other agencies in one place.

Safety

The need: Being on the National Historic Registry limits our ability to add enhanced safety doors and gates at our current location. There is also significant exposure to the public. While rich in history and architectural design, it is not functional for office or meeting space, confidential conversations or privacy in crisis response.

The solution: The new building plan allows healing to begin the moment a person walks through the doors thanks to design, color and furnishing choices that consider their emotional safety. Additionally, the physical safety of survivors and care providers will be protected by security doors, fencing, cameras, confidential parking and more.

It’s been a long road, but the goal is in sight. With your help, we can reach it!

The Marjaree Mason Center’s new Isnardi Foundation Building will be our 24/7 trauma-informed crisis drop-in center, and it will house all of our non-residential survivor services including individual counseling and group therapy, legal advocacy and children’s services, as well as our prevention and early intervention efforts.

For the past two years, a significant fundraising campaign has been taking place along with facility planning with City officials, and construction partners Pace Management, BMY Construction and Paul Halajian Architects.

Including both building acquisition and remodel, the total cost of the project is $21 million. Your donation is an investment in more than just a larger physical space. It is an investment in thousands of adults and children whose lives will be transformed as the Marjaree Mason Center empowers them to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability. It is an investment in strengthening our ability to provide the comfort, courage, hope, confidence, dignity and respect that all survivors deserve.

Long-time supporter of the Marjaree Mason Center, The Isnardi Foundation, who previously made a donation which is being honored by naming the new building the Isnardi Foundation Building, has recently committed an additional $1 million in matching funds in order to inspire a second public fundraising campaign to finish fundraising for this project.

Every donation made now through December 1 will be matched up to $1 million!

To learn how you can be part of this vital community resource that will serve generations to come, or if you'd like to request a pledge form, please contact our Director of Philanthropy and Communication, Ashlee Wolf, at (559) 487-1313 or ashlee@mmcenter.org.

So many ways to give.

When we ask the community for help, we want to make it as easy as possible – without needless limitations or barriers. So as we inch closer to meeting our $21 million goal, we gladly accept the following types of gifts:

  • Cash
  • Securities
  • IRAs
  • Real estate
  • Life insurance
  • Bequests or other types of planned gifts

Naming opportunities

Naming opportunities are available in the Marjaree Mason Center’s new Isnardi Foundation Building in honor of donations and pledges $50,000 - $10,000,000. Pledges may be paid over a five-year term.

Project Timeline

2018

Marjaree Mason Center received a facility planning grant from the Living Legacy Foundation.

2019

Darden Architects conducted a space needs analysis and recommended options for the Board’s consideration. Moss Adams conducted a financial analysis of those different options including 5-year operating projections.

January 2020

The Board made a decision that a move was necessary and to proceed with a future consolidated campus with room to grow.

2021

Over a dozen sites were explored for meeting our needs, price and required zoning. In December 2021, MMC entered into a Purchase Sale Agreement for the property (5.57 acres with a 37,680 sq. ft. building) at 255 W. Bullard Avenue in Fresno.

December 2021 – August 2022

A donation from the Kashian Family Foundation allowed us to conduct due diligence on the site and create conceptual renderings.

August 2022

The needed zoning was obtained to allow for all uses of the property.

December 2022

MMC closed escrow on the property.

January 2023

Other domestic violence agencies (Sacramento and Dallas) and social service sites were toured to gain ideas.

May 2023

Paul Halajian Architects was retained for architectural services.

October 2023

The general contractor was selected and brought on board.

November 2023

Launch of public capital campaign.

January 2024

Groundbreaking for the remodel/modernization.

December 2024

Anticipated completion and move-in.

Healing Happens When Courage Takes Root.

Join us today.

Donate Here

For more information, contact Ashlee Wolf at donate@mmcenter.org or 559-487-1313

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