Reverend Larry Arce is CEO of Fresno Rescue Mission, a large organization that operates Craycroft. Arce said, "The Craycroft provides temporary care for children that have been taken out of abuse, abandonment, neglect. We take care of them up to 30 days."
The facility could house 40 kids. But the County only has between seven and ten. Craycroft is a communal setting where kids live in large groups. Catherine Huerta Director of Fresno County's Children and Family Services said Craycroft doesn't fit in the County's new family-oriented strategy. Huerta said, "Number one, it's in their own home. Number two, in a relative home. And number three is a foster family setting which is a home like yours or mine. That's is the best type of care."
Arce also sees a positive impact. Fresno's homeless population continues to grow and so do tent cities in Downtown. Arce wants to convert Craycroft's Downtown building to a place that would house homeless men. Arce said, "We'll be able to expand our services to the men out in the street. It will be able to alleviate some of the homeless situation out here. The tent cities all of that, so it will give us an opportunity to expand."
Arce also hopes to expand his programs -- offering a place for mothers and children who are in trouble. But any additional expansions require donations.
