In October, a former Fresno motel will open as a rehab center for neglected children and their mothers.
The Fresno rescue mission has spent the last year and a half renovating the old Vagabond Inn off Clinton and Hwy. 99. They've turned it into a facility now known as Rescue the Children. It provides a safe and secure environment for females facing domestic violence, addiction and homelessness.
“It provides for them education to overcome those situations and to help them make those next steps, whatever those next steps are. So they can become a contributing member of society, giving back and not just taking from it,” said Deborah Torres of the Fresno Rescue Mission.
Women and their children enrolled in the program will be matched with mentors and have daily access to amenities such as exercise equipment and two swimming pools.
The landscape has been overhauled, brick walls have been added and the old motel has also taken on a new color scheme. Donors pitched in many of the materials and volunteers gave their time.
“They were painting, pulling wires, moving toilets and ripping up carpet. You name it; we've had groups out here doing all of the labor. It's really been a community effort and that's the dream, it's just fabulous,” said Torres.
About half of the 9 acre property remains undeveloped. The land will be used to create a dining hall, sports fields, a large indoor gym and a play area for kids.
