KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | 20 New Beds Reopened At Marjaree Mason Center

20 New Beds Reopened At Marjaree Mason Center

There is good news for the Marjaree Mason Center, right in time for the holidays.

Officials for the domestic violence shelter announced Monday that 20 new shelter beds will be reopened this week.

Its all thanks to the emergency response funding from First Five Fresno County.  

The beds had been closed after the governor ended a state program which funded 94 state violence shelters.

While some state funds have been restored, it still wasn't enough to reopen the beds at the Marjaree Mason Center prompting First Five to step in.

Commissioners for the organization granted the Marjaree Mason Center $290,000 in emergency response funding, partly because they say nearly half of the victims housed at the shelter are children aged five and younger. 

The center helps to provide food, clothing, counseling, enrichment activities, and more to victims of domestic abuse.

"The investment First 5 is making in Marjaree Mason Center will help insure children in our community are protected from domestic violence," says Pamela Kallsen, Marjaree Mason Center Executive Director.  "We are so thankful to First 5 for recognizing the need and providing us with such an incredible gift."

The 20 beds are expected to shelter more than 200 women and children throughout the next year.

Stay with KMPH and KMPH.com as we continue to follow this story.