Food support, health education, and fire prevention

The Fresno Center has been providing vital services to immigrants, refugees and other vulnerable populations since its inception in 1991. Originally focused on helping Southeast Asian refugees in the Central Valley, it has since broadened its scope to service diverse, multi-cultural low-income communities in the area.

Paying it forward

The Fresno Center offers a comprehensive range of services to people in need, everything from immigration and citizenship support to employment readiness, mental health and wellness and financial assistance programs.

In addition to serving as its insurance advisor and managing its health benefits package, Jade Insurance provides The Fresno Center sponsorship dollars and volunteers to support events, community workshops and educational seminars.

“Being able to give back to the community is incredibly rewarding,” says Fuehoua Thao, principal of Jade Insurance. “Many of us at Jade were once on the receiving end of the types of services The Fresno Center provides. We all welcome the opportunity to pay it forward.”

“Many of us at Jade were once on the receiving end of the types of services The Fresno Center provides. We all welcome the opportunity to pay it forward.”

– Fuehoua Thao, principal of Jade Insurance Agency

Getting families through the COVID-19 pandemic

Throughout the pandemic, The Fresno Center has made every effort to ensure struggling families are receiving the support they need to stay safe and healthy.

Disseminating accurate information about COVID-19 has been a top priority.  Through The Fresno Center’s educational events and programs, families have learned about the importance of safety measures like masking and social distancing as well as how and where to get vaccinated.

Addressing food insecurity has been another key concern. Partnering with the Fresno County Food Bank, The Fresno Center has met the challenge through the weekly distribution of fresh produce and other food items to thousands of families in need. Jade Insurance has supported the food distribution program by volunteering at the TFC Neighborhood Market, helping distribute food to families that suffer from food insecurity.

“The pandemic has had a crippling impact on the livelihoods of many of the families we serve,” says Pao Yang, president and CEO of the Fresno Center. “Our food distribution and housing assistance have played a vital role in keeping those families fed and in their homes.”

Mitigating the impact of wildfires

The foothill regions of Central Valley are among the most wildfire-prone areas in California. The 2020 Creek Fire alone burned nearly 380,000 acres.

As wildfires become more frequent and severe, residents of Fresno County are starting to be more proactive in managing forest lands to reduce the impacts of fires, and The Fresno Center is helping lead the way.

In partnership with Cal Fire, the nonprofit has been organizing crews of volunteers to help clear the debris from the forest floors that makes these fires more intense and difficult to manage. Jade Insurance staff volunteer on the crews, once again working to pay it forward for the health of their neighbors and the vitality of the air and land they share.

Be sure to vote for The Fresno Center by posting a supportive message below or sharing this story on social media using the buttons on the left. Each vote will get The Fresno Center one step closer to its 500-vote target and $10,000 donation! Want to learn more about these inspiring human beings? Visit The Fresno Center and Jade Insurance Agency online.