New office strengthens West Coast MCC’s community vision
New local partnerships are enabling West Coast Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to expand its community-building services in Reedley and consolidate administrative offices in Fresno.
On July 1, 2009, West Coast MCC moved its operational functions to an Administrative Services Center located on the Fresno Pacific University campus, adjacent to the Center for Peacemaking and Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) offices. This includes services such as administration, finance, human resources, communication and resource generation. The programs of West Coast MCC, such as women’s and immigration ministries, will continue to operate in their present location in downtown Reedley.
With the additional office space in Fresno, West Coast MCC has been able to fulfill a request from the Reedley Police Department for expanded community services. These services include mediation and neighborhood dispute resources, victim and offender services, conflict management training, and violence prevention education and awareness training as well as VORP and Neighborhood Watch.
West Coast MCC Executive Director Sheri Wiedenhoefer says communities and churches have asked for help establishing these types of services in their areas. She hopes that as a result of these changes, West Coast MCC will be able to provide training to groups that are interested in working for peace in their communities.
Strengthening partnerships and improving operational efficiency are major elements of the recently implemented five-year strategic plan, according to West Coast MCC Board Chair Bill Braun.
INTERNATIONAL VISITOR EXCHANGE PROGRAM (IVEP)
Seven individuals have come to partner with West Coast MCC as part of the International Visitor Exchange Program (IVEP). These participants from abroad will spend a year working in placements that offer training that reflects the participants' professional interest and experience.
West Coast International Volunteers (IVEP)
In order from left to right:
·Shoroq Hijazeen (Egypt) at Community Youth Ministries, CA
·Maleholohonolo Mary Motlalane (Lesotho) at L’arche Tahoma Hope, WA
·Mqondisi Moyo (Zimbabwe) at Community Youth Ministries, CA
.Tewodros Moges (Ethiopia) at West Coast MCC Office, CA
·Sok Eng Hat (Cambodia) at Lebanon Mennonite Church, OR
·Pan Beverly Wuhamu (China) at L’arche Tahoma Hope, WA
·Bettina Goossen (Paraguay) at Community Youth Ministries, CA
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