Fresno's Marjaree Mason Center has established itself as a well-run agency that plays a vital role in the San Joaquin Valley. But that has not sheltered the center from losing government funding during the economic crisis. Now the community must find ways to help the Marjaree Mason Center.
The agency has been forced to turn away domestic violence victims at a time when its services are even more in need. In an unstable economy, domestic violence cases increase. The experts tell us that financial problems bring on family stress, and then alcohol or drugs often get thrown into the mix.
Last year, the Marjaree Mason Center turned away 120 people needing its services. With reduced staffing, the center has turned away 67 domestic abuse victims in just three months. Executive Director Pam Kallsen said these most often are mothers with young children.
"We are in an extreme situation and we must find a way to deal with it," she said. "This is a statewide problem for shelter programs. It's looking gloomy."
The domestic abuse shelters are reducing services because Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger eliminated state funding for the program that supports them. That needs to be revisited. But until then, local communities must find ways of helping the shelters in their areas.
Individuals, businesses and services organizations can help by donating money and volunteering. The Marjaree Mason Center also has a "wish list" of needed items that include diapers, personal care products and food. They also are looking for sponsors to help with the utility bill.
Kallsen said the center's boiler just went out -- it will cost $67,000 to repair it. PG&E has already donated $10,000 for the boiler.
The local community has been very generous in the past, Kallsen said, and now the center must ask for more help. She said the board is looking at creative ways to raise money, and has tightened operational costs substantially. The center had to shut down 20 of its 93 beds after losing $207,000 in state funding this year.
The governor was wrong to cut the $20.4 million in statewide domestic violence funding. But until that is fixed, the community must help. These are your neighbors. Domestic abuse is not a product of a certain economic class, and can be found in homes across our community.
Let's renew our commitment to two important values:
Domestic violence is not acceptable in Fresno.
When it happens in our community, we will provide the shelters and resources to serve the victims.
Not one mother should be turned away from the help that she needs. If we allow that to happen, each of us has failed our community.
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