About the Center

About the Center

WHAT ARE WE?

The work of building a collaborative society oriented towards peace requires a location where constructive activity is continuous, not just in reaction to violent crisis. The need for such a location in Fresno became evident to peace workers during the Persian Gulf War in the winter of 1990-1991.

They took the idea to ‘Visions of Community,’ a forum that, then, united Fresno’s peace and justice groups under one umbrella. ‘Visions of Community’ members made the idea a reality with the opening of the Fresno Center for Nonviolence on June 27, 1992 .

The Center immediately became a home for the growing number of organizations which shared nonviolent perspectives. It is a refuge for persons concerned about current events; a place where they can give voice to their concerns, develop peaceful plans for action, find encouragement, and work with others committed to a similar vision.

The members of the Fresno Center for Nonviolence work to stimulate change at all levels— personal, local, national and international. Above all, our goal is to foster a community of spirit among people who share a desire for peace in their lives, neighborhoods and nations.

Since 1993, we have been an affiliate of The Fellowship of Reconciliation, an international organization renowned for its opposition to war and committed to achieving a just and peaceful world community. The Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

In 2004, FCNV moved to its new home at 1584 N. Van Ness Avenue at Van Ness and McKinley.

WHAT DO WE DO?

Activities at the Center are guided by our Peace Agenda, a document calling attention to four interdependent categories of change essential to reducing violence in the world:

Simplicity in our living;

Justice and equity in our social arrangements;

Non-injury in our methods;

Inclusiveness in our concerns.

In accordance with these principles the membership engages in the following activities:

We promote the Center as an educational resource. We organize forums, workshops and film showings, emphasizing programs for youth. We maintain a catalogued library and video collection that is available to the public and to educators.

We utilize the Center to serve as an organizing and staging area for a variety of special actions such as, anti-war demonstrations, caravans delivering humanitarian aid to Cuba and Central America , and other positive responses to violence, militarism, and social inequality as they occur.

As part of our work for the Center, we initiate, cosponsor and participate in, local events that celebrate the diverse community spirit in Fresno , and that commemorate the way of peace. We are part of the yearly gatherings that honor Ghandi, King and Chavez; we recognize veterans of the peace movement on Veterans Day and we mark the anniversary of Hiroshima Day.

We act in coalition with many organizations. In doing so, we keep the principles of nonviolence in view as real alternatives in civic discourse. We create safe opportunities for discussion and/or structured dialogues, across racial, cultural and political lines. We also provide media commentaries, speakers for school classes, and public testimony on the benefits of peaceful, nonviolent problem solving.

How can you help?

The Fresno Center for Nonviolence needs three things to keep it a permanent feature of our community:

	people
	ideas
	money

We invite you to attend one of our meetings to learn more about our activities. You can get meeting dates and times, additional information about the Center and Action Alerts, by calling our 24 hour telephone information line: 23 PEACE (237-3223).

We invite you to join us as an individual, or through your peace or social justice organization, to share your energy and ideas.

The Fresno Center for Nonviolence is funded by contributions from members of the community who endorse and believe in our purpose. We have established the following contribution guidelines but donations of any amount are welcome:

Low income--------------------- $15
General member------------- $30
Supporter------------------------ $50
Rosebud----------------------------- $120
Fellowship Rose---------------------- $300
Peace Rose--------------------------- $700

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