The Fresno Rescue Mission

Who will rescue the children?
CRAYCROFT YOUTH CENTER

	...living in a house without electricity, water or food?. … left home alone for hours and sometimes days at a time? … present while spouses abuse and even kill one another? … whose parent commits suicide? … being physically and mentally abused? …unprotected from child molestation? …whose parents are arrested?
A Safe Environment...Secure...Loving!
The “Rescue the Children” Craycroft Youth Center is a 30-day emergency shelter for abandoned, abused and neglected children who are picked up by Child Protective Services and placed in the Center. These children are not juvenile delinquents, but rather victims who haven’t done anything wrong and have no control over their circumstances.
Prior to the existence of the Craycroft Youth Center, children picked up by Child Protective Services were housed at Juvenile Hall or slept on an office bench, due to an insufficient number of emergency foster homes. When foster homes were available, siblings were oftentimes separated, causing additional trauma to the children. The Fresno Rescue Mission, working in conjunction with Fresno County Department of Children and Family Services, provides these children with a safe, secure and loving environment while they are in transition, awaiting family, custodial or foster care decisions.
Facts About the CRAYCROFT YOUTH CENTER
Over 9,000 children have been served since 1994. 353 sibling groups stayed at the Center in 2004. In 2004, 54% of the children were Hispanic, 22% were White and 15% were Black. In 2004 11% of the children were age 0-5; 18% were age 6-7; 21% were age 8-10; 23% were age 11-13; 15% were age 14-15; and 12% were age 16-17. The Center is serving as a faith-based model to the State of California, providing services at approximately half the cost due to the generous contributions of the community. Children stay anywhere from a few hours up to 30 days and may appear at the Center multiple times. The Center is currently licensed for 25 boys and girls (ages 6 through 17, or ages 3 through 5 if part of a sibling group with an older brother or sister) and underage mothers with children. Staff is dedicated to demonstrating love, compassion and concern to each child. Full-time County Social Workers are on-site to expedite assessment care and intake. Children receive physical exams and care in the Fresno County Public Health Department on-site clinic. The Fansler Education Center is an on-site school with teachers provided by Fresno Court Schools. A pre-school is available for younger children. Children have access to the 10-acre Craycroft Sonshine Ranch where they participate in fishing, boating, swimming, playing games and just relaxing in a unique farm setting. The Craycroft Youth Center is the only Fresno Rescue Mission ministry receiving partial government funding.
Craycroft Sonshine Ranch
The Fresno Rescue Mission has provided the Craycroft Youth Center with use of a 10-acre ranch for the children. There the children often find "healing" as they interact with one another and the farm animals. They also enjoy fishing, swimming, and boating. For many, this is the first time they've been out of the "inner city. "
Current Needs
Clothing - all sizes and colors - male and female ages 3-17: Summer pajamas Swim suits - no bikinis Tennis shoes Flip flops - for by the pool Sandals - with heel straps	Personal Care Items: Shampoo, conditioner, hair detangler, hair gel, pump hair spray, bar soap, women's and men's deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, kotex mini pads, male and female razors
For the Clinic: Benedryl Clariton - non drowsy Robitussin SF Robitussin DM Bandages - all sizes Rolled gauze - all sizes Bandage tape - 1/2" and 1" Gauze pads, all sizes Hydracortizone cream Neosporame cream First aid spray Tylenol - regular strength, junior strength, children's strength, infant drops Motrin - 500 mg. Sore throat spray Eucerine lotion Chapstick Cough drops Pepto bismal	For the Craycroft Store: Jewelry Hair Products Blow Dryers Lighted Mirrors Makeup Cute Purses Jewelry Box Cologne Watches Nail Polish Bratz stuff Locking Diaries or Journals Fancy Pens, Paper, Stationery Lego Sets Model Cars and Boats Science Kits and Books Musical Instruments Sports Equipment Hand Held Video Games Racing Track Matchbox Cars Boom Boxes Back Packs Wallets Watches School Supplies Sports Cards Perfume and Aftershave Gloves Walkmans Clocks
General Needs: Batteries for toys - all sizes Plastic storage tubs - all sizes

Volunteer Opportunities
Adopt a Room - Groups get together and refurbish the children's rooms. The rooms are warm, colorful, bright, and friendly. Some have cartoon characters on the walls; others have playful animal scenes. Special Activities: Play games, read books, present craft projects, sing, play a musical instrument, teach dance, do aerobics, go on outings to Blackbeards, the movies, McDonalds, bowling, swimming, etc.
Contact Vanessa Rodarte at (559) 268-1123 for donations and volunteer opportunities

“And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10:16		Larry Gray, Program Administrator Craycroft Youth Center 335 G Street Fresno CA 93706 (559) 268-1123