The Center for Women and Culture at CSU Fresno provides resources and support for women, minority groups, and other at-risk populations. It aims to promote social justice and eradicate discrimination through events, discussion groups, and peer counseling. Services include quiet spaces, computers, counseling, and referrals to community organizations. The Center is open to all students, staff, and faculty and encourages diversity, human rights, and the holistic development of all people.

1. Center for Women and Culture
California State University, Fresno
BY LINDA MACIAS

2. On Campus Resource
Located at:
 Thomas Building
Rm. 110
 (559) 278-4435
 Open 8am – 5pm

3. Social Justice Issues
 The activities and staff inspire the campus
community to collaborate to eradicate sexism,
racism, heterosexism, ableism, xenophobia, and
other forms of discrimination that women and men
may experience.

4. Organizational Structure
 The Center for Women and Culture is under
the Division of Student Affairs at CSUF
 The Center for Women and Culture houses
both the Women’s Resource Center and
Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute
 The Center is run by the director and
coordinator
 All of the activities that take place are put on
by the student assistants and student
volunteers

5. Populations at Risk
 The Center is open to anyone that needs to talk to
someone about any issue or if they need a welcoming
place to study
 Women, men, students, staff, and faculty
 Domestic violence victims that need resources
 Sexual assault victims that need resources

6. Agency Mission
 The Center for Women an
Culture is established to enhance
the learning, work, and life
experiences of students in the
university community and to
educate the campus on women
and divirsity issues.
 It is a compassionate, inclusive
place that provides a sense of
belonging, advocacy, and
resources for the campus
community.
 It promotes success and nurtures
holistic growth and development
through various opportunities,
activities, and events that focus
on women with an eye toward
gender, founded in a framework
that is fully inclusive of diversity.

7. Agency Practices
Goals
 To provide a physical space in  To promote the eradication of
which students can share with individual and institutional
each other, learn in a sexism, racism, heterosexism,
collaborative rather than classism and other forms of
competitive fashion, and seek prejudice and discrimination
growth-promoting experiences which affect all of us in a
consistent with the unique modes university community.
of learning and communication.  To provide students with a
 To provide referral and peer variety of intellectual, cultural,
counseling support services to social, artistic, recreational, and
anyone who is coping with professional growth activities the
personal transitions, crisis or any celebrate the multicultural
other life experiences for which composition of our community
they need nonjudgmental and promote healthful lifestyles
guidance and support. and non-violent relationships.

8. Resources Available
 Quiet room that can be  Brochures and handouts
used for prayer, for many agencies like, the
meditation, quiet time and Marjaree Mason Center
breast feeding mothers and Breast Cancer
 A lounge area that is open education
and welcoming for students  Files on a variety of issues
to do homework that students could use for
 Computers research projects and
 Microwave and homework
refrigerator  Small library with books
 Volunteer opportunities focusing on women’s issues
and diversity

9. Peer Counseling
What it is: Who it’s available to:
 Part of the Violence  Anyone is welcome to
Prevention Program come in
 If anyone ever needs to  Both appointments and
talk about anything there walk-ins are accepted
is someone there to listen
 Trained peer counselors
are available during the
Center’s office hours  This is a great opportunity to see
how it feels to be on the receiving
end of services

10. Discussion Groups
Goals Groups:
 Entre Mujeres- An informal
 To promote student discussion group for college
involvement and to feel Latinas that looks to empower
them and give them a place to
that they have a place belong and have their opinions
heard
in which they can talk  Lunch Express- a discussion
group that gathers at lunch time
about things that affect and talk about issues that affect
them on a daily basis college students in general
 Sistah to Sistah- a discussion
group for African American
college students that get together
to discuss issues that affect them
and encourage each other

11. Support Group for Survivors
 This group is open to both men and women that have
been a Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault Witness
and/or Survivor
 Peer led group that provides a safe and confidential
environment
 Meet weekly

12. Diversity in the Center
 BSU-Black Students United
 USP-United Student Pride
 MSA- Muslim Student Association
 Women’s Alliance
 S.P.E.A.K.- Students Providing Empowerment, Advocacy
& Knowledge
 P.O.W.E.R.- People Organized for Women’s
Empowerment and Representation
 Poetry Jam- a venue for students, poets, performing
artists, musicians and artists to express themselves freely

13. Events
Take Back the Night
 Oct. 19th, 2011
 This event is held every
year
 Raises awareness about
violence against women –
this year the focus was on
invisible violence
 The program included
keynote speakers, a candle
lit march through campus
and having victims tell
their story at an open mic

14. Events
Lunafest
 This year it will be
November 18, 2011
 An event that shows
short films that deal with
women’s issues produced
by women
 The proceeds of this
event are used to help the
fight against cancer
 There are raffles as well
as silent auctions

15. Events
Welcoming Diversity
Workshop
 Dates: Nov. 19, 2011
Dec. 3 , 2011
 Registration is required
 Free to Fresno State
students
 A one day workshop that
encourages and helps
participants become
more culturally aware
and culturally competent

16. How the Agency pertains to Social Work
Social Work Values Human Rights
 Provides many services that  Education shall be directed to the full
development of the human personality
are available to students as and to the strengthening of respect for
well as staff human rights and fundamental freedoms
 Everyone has duties to the community in
 Advocates for minorities and which alone the free and full development
marginalized populations of his personality is possible
 Encourages he dignity and  Everyone has the right freely to participate
in the cultural life of the community, to
self worth of a person enjoy the arts and to share in scientific
advancement and its benefits
 Provides a space for positive  Everyone has the right of equal access to
relationships to develop public service in his country. Everyone has
the right to life, liberty and security of
 Peer counselors and staff person.
maintain confidentiality and  All of these rights are encouraged and
are trained to be competent in carried out in the Center
what they do

17. End
 If you ever want more information on any of the
upcoming events, discussion groups or resources feel
free to contact or come into the Center for Women
and Culture
CSU, Fresno
Thomas Building Rm. 110
(559) 278-4435
Open 8am – 5pm