Fresno, CA

(559) 228-1790

Service
The first Fresno MVSers were placed with the Boys and Girls Club of Fresno. Over the years, the list of assignments has expanded to include:

• Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) of Fresno
• working at the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Fresno Pacific University
• Habitat for Humanity
• Older Adult Social Services
• Mennonite Residential Services

MVS Application To apply for one of the service opportunities below, complete an online application, or print and mail a PDF application (Adobe Reader required) and send it to: Mennonite Mission Network ATTN: Human Resources 500 S. Main P.O. Box 370 Elkhart, IN 46515-0370

Location
Fresno is located in the San Joaquin Valley of central California, one of the most productive agricultural areas in the United States. Climate is dry and temperate, snow is never seen, and temperatures in the summer can climb over 100 degrees F. Fresno, a city of about 400,000, is the hub of the San Joaquin Valley. A place of amazing diversity, Fresno has more than 65 different language and culture groups. It has the largest concentration--outside their native country--of Hmong, a Southeast Asian hill tribal group. Hispanic groups make up about 1/3 of the population. Anglos are in the minority. Fresno's central location in California means it offers plenty of opportunity to explore the state. The Sierra Nevada Mountains, the giant sequoia trees and the Pacific Ocean are all within a few hours' drive.

Unit
The MVS unit is located in what is known as the Fresno High District, adjacent to the Tower District, an artsy, "alternative" part of Fresno. The house is within walking distance of Fresno City College. Fresno Pacific University (Mennonite Brethren) and Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary are also located here. MVSers live together in a turn-of-the-century house that used to be a funeral parlor, with six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a basement and an attached "mother-in-law" unit. Volunteers maintain a garden and take care of the yard.

Members of the unit's supporting congregation, Mennonite Community Church, serve on the MVS support committee, which meets monthly with the MVSers for business and social times. All decisions are made by consensus. Committee members are committed to developing supportive personal relationships with volunteers. The unit holds house meetings every Sunday night and shares evening meals. There is also a weekly Bible study at the unit house.

Other unit activities have included backpacking, hiking, fishing, camping, basketball, soccer and softball. Camp Keola on Huntington Lake in the Sierra Nevadas is a Mennonite church-owned camp, and MVSers have regularly been involved in programs there.

Church
The sponsoring congregation, Mennonite Community Church, was established in 1954 and currently has about 120 members and regular attenders from a wide variety of age groups and religious backgrounds. There are two Sunday worship times--a traditional morning service and a contemporary evening service. Mennonite Community Church has helped to plant Hmong and Spanish-speaking congregations. Members are active in local peace and justice efforts. Several directors of the agencies with which MVSers are placed attend Mennonite Community Church.

The congregation is committed to supporting its local MVS unit. It is estimated that 25% of the congregation has served on the MVS committee at one time. Familes sign up to share a meal with MVSers weekly and a young adult group meets once a month. MVSers are encouraged to become involved in the life of Mennonite Community Church, but the congregation is supportive of other faith traditions as well. Fresno unit members are expected to participate in a local church, and are asked to attend Mennonite Community Church at least once a month so the congregation can get to know them. Fresno MVSers have taught Sunday school, led worship, initiated special projects and preached at Mennonite Community Church, and once a year the unit conducts the entire morning service.