The "Rescue the Children" Craycroft Youth Center is Fresno's only shelter for abandoned, neglected and abused children. It provides a safe haven for children who are victims, not juvenile delinquents. It is operated as a partnership between the County of Fresno and the Fresno Rescue Mission. The Center houses up to 40 children, boys and girls, from 6 through 17 and sibling groups as young as 3 years old who are placed in protective care. They often have been removed from unsafe or neglectful situations. The Craycroft Youth Center provides a safe and secure place while their Social Worker finds an appropriate home for them. Their stay at the center may be a few hours or as long as 30 days.

The Exchange Club of Fresno and its individual members are frequent contributors. In addition to the Board's approving monetary contributions, the club's members bring toys and individual checks to its annual Christmas luncheon to be donated to the Craycroft Youth Center. In addition to this, individual donations consisting of clothing, toiletries, craft supplies, pre-school materials, sports equipment, paper products, linens, and books, can be made at any weekly luncheon. Dave Thompson and Mary Lynch-Weins are in charge of this activity.

Craycroft Youth Center workers, Vanessa Rodarte and Frances Brannon, shelter manager.

Craycroft Youth Center administrator, Larry G. Gray

Sandy Scovell presents check to Mary Lynch-Weins to provide kids at Craycroft Center with a Christmas Party.

Members prepare to deliver much needed supplies to Craycroft House.

Members loading Christmas presents for delivery to the kids at Craycroft House.

Christmas gifts for the children.

This page last updated on 1/15/07