CITY OF FRESNO
Office of Mayor Jerry Dyer & Councilmember Mike Karbassi
WHEREAS, the men and women of the Fresno Police and Fire Chaplaincy are committed to being among the first to serve, offering spiritual and emotional support and assistance during times of crisis, and helping to strengthen and uplift the community and our first responders; and WHEREAS, being a chaplain is about showing up, especially when life is at its hardest; whether standing beside a first responder after a critical incident, supporting a family through sudden loss, or comforting someone in the midst of crisis, our chaplains offer a steady presence when it's needed most; and WHEREAS, chaplains provide confidential support, listen without judgment, and respond with empathy; indeed, at any given time, our chaplain’s role may be to pray, other times it’s to advocate, to connect someone with resources, or to quietly walk with them through the storm; and WHEREAS, at its core, chaplaincy is a ministry of presence; it's about being available, being trustworthy, and being willing to enter into the hardest spaces of human experience with grace and humility; and WHEREAS, through group sessions, mentoring, and family support, the Fresno Police and Fire Chaplaincy’s Project STEALTH is a transformative program designed to support at-risk youth aged 13–17 in Fresno County, with a goal of fostering resilience, restoring healthy home environments, and creating pathways to a brighter future; and
WHEREAS, with the generous support of our community and under the steady leadership of Chaplain Matt Markarian, the Fresno Police and Fire Chaplaincy and its team of nearly 50 volunteer chaplains continue to grow and flourish well into their fourth decade, providing the community with comfort, strength and grace.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, Mayor Jerry Dyer and the Fresno City Council, do hereby recognize and commend the Fresno Police and Fire Chaplaincy for over 40 years of compassionate service, spiritual guidance, and unwavering support to our first responders and community.
We do hereby recognize:
“Fresno Police and Fire
Chaplain Appreciation Day”
in the City of Fresno.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and
affixed the seal of the City of Fresno, California, this 8 th
day of October 2026.
_____________________________________________ __________________________________________ JERRY DYER, Honorable Mayor MIKE KARBASSI, Councilmember District 2
_____________________________________________ __________________________________________ NELSON ESPARZA, Council President TYLER MAXWELL, Council Vice President _____________________________________________ __________________________________________ ANNALISA PEREA, Councilmember District 1 MIGUEL ARIAS, Councilmember District 3 _____________________________________________ __________________________________________ BRANDON VANG, Councilmember District 5 NICK RICHARDSON, Councilmember District 6