The City Center complex in Central Fresno. Photo by Ben Hensley

Fresno Mission has received a donation of $1.5 million from the George and Melodie Rogers Foundation that will support the City Center Project. 

The gift will help City Center serve as a safe haven for families and youth in the community. It will also go toward the development of an outdoor, dinosaur-themed playground.

Phase 1 of the City Center Project has an estimated cost of $38 million.

The contribution from the Rogers Foundation now propels the total raised to $8.6 million, leaving just $600,000 to reach a City Center fundraising goal, according to a news release.

 

The charitable organization, George & Melodie Rogers Foundation, was established by the Rogers in 2018. George A. Rogers had a lifelong passion for providing opportunities for people to create meaningful careers while supporting their families and themselves. 

To that end, American Home Care, his first staffing service, was founded in 1978. His dream became fully realized after the 1985 founding of what would become PrideStaff, which helps job seekers find worthwhile work and assists businesses with workforce solutions.

The George and Melodie Rogers Foundation is a charitable organization established to continue the legacy of George A. Rogers, who died in 2021. The foundation is committed to supporting the Fresno youth community by working with Fresno State’s Renaissance Scholars Program and other community programs.