Current Programs
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Monthly Food Shares
Fighting Hunger & Reducing Waste – In Partnership with Madera Food Bank
The Food to Share program helps fight food insecurity by reducing food waste and redistributing surplus food to families in need.
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Madera Child Development Center
Early Childhood Education | Active
The Madera Child Development Center is a California State Preschool offering a Montessori-based curriculum for children ages 3 to 5. Our mission is to provide a nurturing, educational environment that supports early development and prepares children for academic success.
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MCCJ Community Garden
Growing Together Since 2008
The Madera Community Garden began as a vision from the Madera Youth Leaders and became a reality in 2008 with support from the Madera Redevelopment Agency. Since then, it has served as a shared space where community members can come together, grow their own food, and promote healthy eating habits.
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Madera Youth Leaders
Empowering Youth, Creating Change
Madera Youth Leaders (MYL) is a dynamic group of teens and young adults (ages 13–21) committed to making a positive impact in their community. MYL provides youth with the tools, training, and support they need to become leaders, advocates, and change makers in Madera.
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Environmental Justice
Education • Advocacy • Policy • Community Involvement
As part of our mission to uplift low-income residents in Madera County, the Madera Coalition for Community Justice actively engages in environmental justice work. We believe that access to clean air, safe water, and a healthy environment is a fundamental right-not a privilege.
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Team & Changes
Education, Bill Review & Program Assistance
Madera Coalition for Community Justice provides consumer education and support services to help residents better understand and manage phone, internet, and electric bills.
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Madera LGBTQ+
A community-led group working to create a safe, inclusive space for all LGBTQ+ individuals in Madera. We host events, advocate for visibility, and proudly organize the official Madera Pride celebration.
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MicroEnterprise
Coming Soon!
A weekly class (8 sessions) that will help aspiring entrepreneurs learn the fundamentals of starting and running a business. Topics will include how to create a Business Plan, choosing the Business Structure, Financing, Marketing, Legal Requirements, Operations, Industry/Market Research, and much, much more.
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STEM Para Todos
Coming Soon!
A weekly tech class designed to introduce students to emerging technologies, such as drone navigation, robotics, 3D Printing, VR for creative purposes and much more. We are looking for both participants and volunteers. All components are free (except for the drone flights which require a 15$ insurance fee that is good for three months). All drone students will acquire their TRUST License as a part of the program.
Past Programs
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Seasonal Program – No Longer Active
Madera Coalition previously partnered with United Way Fresno and Madera Counties to offer free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This seasonal program supported low- to moderate-income individuals, families, and seniors by connecting them with IRS-certified volunteers for accurate, no-cost tax filing.
During its last active season, the VITA program helped return over $11.5 million to hardworking Valley residents and also assisted many in accessing valuable tax credits like the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC).
While this program is no longer active, we remain committed to connecting our community to helpful resources and services.
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Community-Based Public Art – No Longer Active
This creative initiative engaged local youth in designing and producing public street art that reflected their voices, identities, and community pride. Through mentorship and hands-on experience, participants explored how art can be a powerful tool for self-expression and neighborhood transformation.
The project celebrated the stories, culture, and connections within our community—demonstrating how public art can bring people together and inspire lasting impact.
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Environmental Justice & Community Advocacy – No Longer Active
Through a two-year grant, Madera Coalition for Community Justice launched the Madera Water Stewardship Program to address the need for safe, clean, and affordable drinking water in Madera County. This program combined environmental education with hands-on advocacy, empowering both youth and adults—particularly from low-income, minority, and farmworker communities—to take action on local water issues.
Participants were trained on topics such as water contamination, well rehabilitation, infrastructure, and community water rights. The program promoted social awareness, collaboration, and real-life problem-solving, while increasing community knowledge through environmental justice education, community mapping, and expert-led presentations.
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Health Equity & Community Outreach – No Longer Active
The Órale project was a collaborative public health effort aimed at increasing COVID-19 testing and reducing infection rates in vulnerable communities. In partnership with local organizations, the program identified barriers to testing and safety compliance, then developed and implemented culturally responsive solutions.
This included creating a comprehensive toolkit with public health messaging, access to testing, and targeted interventions. These strategies were applied through an adaptive community trial model to support health equity and protect high-risk populations.
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Emergency Support – No Longer Providing Financial Aid
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Madera Coalition for Community Justice provided rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to Madera County residents impacted by job loss, reduced hours, illness, or lack of childcare due to COVID-19. Funded through the ARPA Program, this initiative supported income-eligible families behind on rent and utility bills.
Please note: While we no longer provide direct financial assistance for past-due bills, we continue to assist community members by reviewing their utility bills and helping explore available resources and options.
If you need support understanding your bill or identifying next steps, please contact us at (559) 661-1879.
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Education & Advocacy – No Longer Active
This program focused on strengthening the relationship between parents and the school system to improve student success and community engagement. Through hands-on learning, workshops, and leadership training, parents gained tools to support their children’s academic performance, promote higher education, and advocate for quality education in their schools.
Participants built knowledge in both educational and community issues, including how local schools and government systems function. The program empowered parents—especially from underserved communities—to become confident leaders and active participants in their children’s education and broader community.
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Civic Engagement – Past Program
Every 10 years, district maps are redrawn to ensure fair and equal representation in government. In 2021–2022, Madera Coalition for Community Justice conducted a Redistricting Education & Engagement campaign to inform residents about this important process and encourage community participation.
The program aimed to:
Educate the public on what redistricting is and why it matters
Highlight how redistricting can affect representation, policies, and elections for the next decade
Encourage residents to attend community workshops and public hearings to make their voices heard
Through workshops, hearings, and outreach, this initiative empowered residents to engage in local government and advocate for fair representation in Madera. description