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 downtown location was not possible.

The solution: The new building more than doubles 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.

The need: Our services were previously spread across several locations, requiring transportation between sites. This not only created barriers for survivors, but also 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 are now enhanced as we’ve consolidated locations, and the shared-space design allows survivors to engage care from law enforcement and other agencies in one place.

The need: Being on the National Historic Registry limited our ability to add enhanced safety doors and gates at our downtown location. There was 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 are protected by security doors, fencing, cameras, confidential parking and more.