The Marjaree Mason Center operates two confidentially located safe houses in Fresno County. MMC ensures that victims of domestic violence, male or female, are provided a safe place to reside while their safety needs are addressed. During this time, MMC provides the support needed to return to the community safely. Marjaree Mason Center Safe Houses ensure that each family has its own private room so families are not separated during their stay.

All MMC Safe Houses feature large, communal kitchens, living rooms and play areas for children. Families with children receive assistance in school-services coordination, positive play strategies, respite and parenting classes.

Clients are not allowed to bring pets with them, however, MMC has a partnership called S.H.A.R.P. (Safe Haven for At-Risk Pets) with the Central California Animal Disaster Team which provides temporary assistance for pets of clients.

Case Management and Residential Client Advocates

  • Assist families in accessing needed “safe” long-term housing, available resources, social and victim services
  • Support clients in overcoming barriers in their efforts toward living in a domestic violence free environment
  • Offer peer counseling and help clients develop a plan to promote their family’s safety once they return to the community
  • Transport clients to appointments, including court

Groups and Classes

  • Life-skills
  • Parenting
  • Expressions Through Art group activities
  • Enrichment Center activities
  • Job search/interview preparedness and educational support
  • Yoga and other wellness activities

Non-Residential Housing

For survivors who have experienced significant trauma and those whose lifestyle and financial choices have been controlled by someone else, a 30-90 day stay in our MMC emergency program is not long enough.

Through our rapid rehousing programs, we are able to use government resources to place clients in their own family unit for up to 24 months. These programs pay for a case manager to help them secure outside housing, reimbursement to MMC for rental payments and on-going supportive services.

These programs are a key linkage to help individuals and families gain long-term household health and not just a temporary escape from an unsafe situation.

Reflections

"I am a strong, beautiful, smart, funny, caring, giving and now financially independent woman, thanks to the Marjaree Mason Center."