Marjaree Mason Center
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Marjaree Mason Center is a non-profit, shelter-based, domestic violence program headquartered in Fresno, California. Named for an Easton, California woman who was murdered by her boyfriend, the center operates one of the largest shelters in California.
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[edit] History
The Marjaree Mason Center was founded in 1979 by the YWCA-Fresno after the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Marjaree Mason. A victim of domestic violence, Mason was killed by her boyfriend, a Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy.
The center started with a group of volunteers staffing an emergency hotline for victims of domestic violence, while a few rooms at the YWCA Residence Hall became specifically designated for women and their children fleeing from domestic violence. Over time, the services of the YWCA-Fresno increasingly focused on domestic violence and gradually discontinued most other programs until the organization focused almost exclusively on domestic violence.
In 1998, the YWCA-Fresno Board of Directors voted to end a 94-year affiliation with the National YWCA, and the Marjaree Mason Center became a stand-alone domestic violence agency.
Still headquartered in Fresno’s historic Einstein Home, the home of the YWCA’s old administrative offices, the center operates a variety of services from several locations in Fresno County.
[edit] Services
Most Marjaree Mason Center services are offered to victims of domestic violence and their children, though some shelter services are intended for homeless women and batterer’s intervention programs are intended for domestic violence offenders.
[edit] Shelter
The Marjaree Mason Center operates three shelters in Fresno County. These shelters mainly house women believed to be victims of domestic violence and their children.
[edit] Emergency Shelter
The oldest of the Marjaree Mason Center shelters, the Emergency Shelter is confidentially located in the City of Fresno. This 21,380-square-foot (1,986 m²) facility has 93 beds in 40 rooms and is staffed 24-hours a day.
The Emergency Shelter also features the Enrichment Center, where children can play, learn, and take part in activities organized by center staff.
[edit] Homeward Bound
Also located in Fresno, the 23-bed Homeward Bound shelter is an unstaffed, transitional shelter where victims prepare to move out on their own.
[edit] Reedley House
Reedley House is located in Reedley, California. It has 18 beds and is staffed 24-hours a day.
[edit] Hotline
Crisis hotline, staffed 24-hours a day.
[edit] Therapy
Housed in the Marjaree Mason Center Administrative Offices, therapists bill on a sliding scale to treat victims of domestic violence. The Marjaree Mason Center offers group and individual therapy for children and adults.
[edit] Advocacy
Marjaree Mason Center advocates have offices in both the Fresno Police and Fresno Sheriff’s Headquarters. They ride with domestic violence detectives to visit alleged victims and may accompany alleged victims to court.
[edit] Education
The Marjaree Mason Center offers a Legal Options class, a parenting class, and another known as S.A.F.E. Group. Legal Options covers information on restraining orders, criminal charges, and custody questions. The parenting class focuses on promoting positive parenting skills. S.A.F.E. Group provides general information regarding domestic violence. Marjaree Mason Center shelter clients are also invited to take part in life-skills, and nutrition/cooking classes.
[edit] Legal Assistance
Marjaree Mason Center legal advocates assist domestic violence victims in obtaining and renewing restraining orders.
[edit] Batterer’s Intervention
Located at a separate facility as the services for battered women, the batterer’s intervention program consists of a 52-week, typically court-mandated, class for domestic violence offenders.
[edit] Statistics
The Marjaree Mason Center's December 2007 newsletter notes fiscal year 2006-2007 statistics:
4,305 total victims provided with assistance;
910 women and children provided with shelter;
42,696 nights of shelter provided;
80,466 meals provided;
4,709 therapy sessions provided to 733 unduplicated clients;
1,989 victims provided with legal advocacy assistance;
shelter and supportive services provided for one victim at a rate of $64 per night.
