Facing major cuts, Marjaree Mason Center supporters step up

Critical funding cuts for victim care centers was recently avoided when advocates, survivors, the Fresno City Council and California Governor Gavin Newsom stepped forward to show support for victims’ services programs last month, saving the Marjaree Mason Center and others like it from major funding shortfalls.

This year’s budget allocation of $1.2 billion would have cut 40% of CVF funding compared to last year; the budget is dispersed through the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and addresses programs that provide support including rape crisis centers, legal assistance and human trafficking services along with a range of other services.

Under the proposed budget, 89 California-based sexual and domestic violence organizations projected potentially disastrous consequences if additional funding was not acquired.

Last month, action taken by California residents and Newsom’s efforts to reach a budget agreement led to a $103 million, one-time funding agreement.

Additionally, the Fresno City Council moved to allocate $300,000 to address shortfalls in domestic violence emergency response and safe housing programs, both of which serve as a community safety net for residents.

“Fresno has the highest per capita calls to law enforcement for domestic violence among California’s 10 most populated counties,” a news release from the Marjaree Mason Center reads. “The City of Fresno, specifically, has seen a troubling rise in domestic violence cases since the onset of the COVID pandemic, straining local resources and highlighting the urgent need for consistent funding.”

The center serves as a 24/7 support and crisis center and emergency shelter; without the procurement of additional funding, survivors faced reduced access to these resources.

The Marjaree Mason Center thanked Fresno City Council President Annalisa Perea and council Vice President Mike Karbassi, as well as the City Council as a whole and Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer for their work and support.

The Marjaree Mason Center is currently in the process of preparing its new campus – the Isnardi Foundation Community Resource Center. When completed this December, the center will include a 24/7 response hotline and drop-in center, providing services for both children and adults.

When completed, the new building will double the Marjaree Mason Center’s capacity for non-residential services.