Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Marjaree Mason Center Gets $50K Grant, 'Neighborhood Champion' Recognition
Liz-Juarez
By Liz Juarez
Published 3 years ago on
December 17, 2021

Share

 

Fresno’s Marjaree Mason Center has been named a 2021 Bank of America Neighborhood Champion for its work empowering adults and children affected by domestic violence.

Portrait of Nicole Linder
Nicole Linder

The award comes with a $50,000 grant.

“The generous grant secures Marjaree Mason Center’s ability to provide uninterrupted crisis and emergency shelter services to adults and their children when they need it most,” said MMC’s executive director, Nicole Linder.

In addition to the grant, the Neighborhood Champions award will enable the nonprofit to participate in virtual leadership training delivered by experts on topics like human capital management, increasing financial sustainability, and storytelling.

“Marjaree Mason Center serves some of the most vulnerable in our community. To have the distinct privilege for our staff to receive quality leadership training from some of the best in the business increases our threshold of providing excellent, trauma-informed services,” said Linder.

Pandemic Increased the Need For MMC Services

Mark Riley, president of Bank of America Fresno/Visalia, says the pandemic increased the need for services that organizations like MMC offer.

“While our community is continuing to recover from the pandemic, nonprofits are still experiencing significant demands and are in need of resources to help meet important needs such as family services and emergency shelter,” said Riley

“Now more than ever, there is an increased need for diverse and equitable services, and the funding and training that Neighborhood Champions provides will help MMC continue to meet the most urgent needs.”

A CalVEX study conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego and the University of Chicago analyzed the impact COVID-19 had on California residents.

The study found that 3% of internet users reported sexual harassment in 2020 and that doubled to 6% the following year. Reports of physical violence, including threats with a weapon, also increased from 4% in 2020 to 7% in 2021.

MMC  has provided critical, life-saving services to people affected by domestic violence for more than 40 years. In 2020, it delivered services to 9,600 adults and children, and provided nearly 90,000 nights of shelter. Five years ago, those numbers were nearly half as big.

Watch: A Marjaree Mason Success Story

Marjaree Mason Center Feature from GV Wire on Vimeo.

About The Neighborhood Champions Program

According to Bank of America’s website, the Neighborhood Champions program is invitation-only for nonprofits positioned to take their work to the next level.

“We are very honored knowing we are part of a select group of nonprofits throughout the country,” said Linder. “It definitely means a great deal to know we are part of such an elite group that has the opportunity to partner so closely with Bank of America.”

Since the program’s inception in 2019, Bank of America has invested $6.3 million into 126 nonprofits located in 42 communities.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Release Video of Officer-Involved Shooting

1 in 4 US Children Have Parents With Substance Use Disorder, Study Finds

1 hour ago

Oreo Maker Mondelez Sues Aldi, Alleging Grocery Chain Copies Its Packaging to Confuse Customers

1 hour ago

California School Awards Dinner at Disneyland Comes With Hefty Price Tag

California schools that have significantly improved student achievement will be honored in a ceremony hosted by the California Department of...

44 minutes ago

44 minutes ago

California School Awards Dinner at Disneyland Comes With Hefty Price Tag

50 minutes ago

Fresno Police Release Video of Officer-Involved Shooting

52 minutes ago

Hamas Says It Is Still Reviewing a US Proposal for a Gaza Ceasefire

1 hour ago

1 in 4 US Children Have Parents With Substance Use Disorder, Study Finds

1 hour ago

Oreo Maker Mondelez Sues Aldi, Alleging Grocery Chain Copies Its Packaging to Confuse Customers

1 hour ago

FAA Demands an Accident Investigation Into SpaceX’s Latest Out-of-Control Starship Flight

1 hour ago

In Marseille, a Shadow Becomes Art in Banksy’s Latest Street Mural

2 hours ago

Dozens Sickened in Expanding Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Recalled Cucumbers

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend