Fresno Mission celebrated the grand opening of the $35 million City Center, a full-service facility supporting individuals and families in crisis, on Wednesday morning.

Along with the grand opening, officials unveiled the 73-room Family Center, which triples the mission’s capacity to care for families in need.

City Center is at 2025 E. Dakota Ave., near Manchester Center on the grounds of the former Sierra Hospital.

“City Center is more than just a building — it’s a movement,” said Matthew Dildine, CEO of the nonprofit Fresno Mission. “This is about transforming the way we care for individuals in crisis by eliminating obstacles and providing real, lasting solutions. We are setting a new standard of compassionate care, not just for Fresno, but for the entire nation.”

The expansion ensures that more families facing crisis will have access to safe shelter, essential resources, and life-transforming support services, Dildine said.

The Family Center is designed to be a central hub where individuals and families facing challenges can access a variety of critical services in one location. This collaborative approach removes barriers, alleviates burdens, and creates new opportunities for those in need, Dildine added.

How It Was Financed

Wednesday’s event was the culmination of a four-year communitywide effort.

About one-third of $35 million for the project came from private donations, Dildine said. Another $5 million flowed from New Market Tax Credits, and Fresno County contributed $2.4 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding. Fresno Mission provided the remainder.

City Center Services and Facilities

The campus has a school, grocery store, health clinic, coffee shop, and conference center. The recreational facilities include a soccer field, basketball court and playground. There is office space for a host of nonprofits and classrooms for vocational training and career services, as well as services for human trafficking victims.

The Next Big Project

Dildine told GV Wire that Fresno Mission will kick a fund drive in 2026 for a building that will serve homeless youth.