After a year of construction, the Marjaree Mason Center celebrated the grand opening of its new $21 million dollar facility on Feb. 26.
The building, named the Isnardi Foundation Building, is located on Bullard Avenue, between Blackstone and Maroa Avenue. It is open 24 hours a day.
The Marjaree Mason Center first opened in 1979 after the death of Marjaree Mason, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. Since then, the center has focused on providing shelter and support to those affected by domestic violence.
“We do this work because domestic violence is a critical issue in our community, in our neighborhoods and in our homes,” said Nicole Linder, the chief executive officer for the center.
Previously, the Marjaree Mason Center operated in Downtown Fresno and in two confidential safe homes. While there are still operations in those locations, the Marjaree Mason Center now has a central location, providing a 24 hour helpline, childcare and a free class that covers domestic violence restraining orders.
“This new building will gather services currently spread over seven different sites across our town into a centralized location, a one-stop shop for domestic violence survivors,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer.
The County of Fresno donated $4.7 million dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act allocation towards the construction of the center. Private philanthropists and foundations helped donate as well.
“From $25 to nearly $5 million, everyone gave what they could,” Linder said.
Some keynote speakers included Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig, who delivered remarks on the importance of the Marjaree Mason Center.
“There are tens of thousands of calls each year that women and people in distress make to the Marjaree Mason Center,” Magsig said. “They can only respond to the extent that they have facilities and funding enough, and they need millions upon millions of more dollars.”
Additionally, Dyer delivered some emotional remarks.
“Domestic violence is one of the very reasons why I got into law enforcement because of the desire to protect women, children and our seniors,” Dyer said. “I saw that over that time was the incredible cycle of violence that I see in our community, because violence begets violence and it impacts everyone.”
The grand opening concluded with a speech from Marjaree Mason’s brother, Alfred Mason, who shares his hopes for victims of domestic violence.
“As we walk to that door, everybody who walks through that door and has had domestic violence concerns, I pray that they leave with the treatment and understanding of a better future,” Mason said.
The ceremony concluded with Linder, Marjaree Mason Center Board President Kerri Horn and other city officials cutting a purple ribbon, officially opening up the Marjaree Mason Center.
