Rape Counseling Service of Fresno Inc. (RCS) evolved from a Women’s Studies project by Karen Hale and Kris Schaufelberger in the early 1970’s at Fresno State.  The idea for a rape crisis line was linked to their project and to the 1973 rape of a Fresno State student.  The student and her roommate subsequently established a telephone support group, because the community lacked resources designed for victims of sexual assault. 

The crisis line was operated from their apartment.  It was not uncommon to work on the crisis line continuously for 48 to 72 hours.  By 1975, RCS hired their first Executive Director, a part-time position funded by donations.  In the beginning, RCS meetings were held in the homes of volunteers.  By 1984, the RCS crisis line was receiving more than 700 calls per year; paid staff grew from 0 to 7 during that time.  From 1992 through 1998, RCS was rated the #1 Rape Crisis Center in the State of California.

 RCS has continued to grow and expand, creating the Carmen Meza Center (Formerly known as West Fresno Crisis Center) in Firebaugh and Coalinga.   The CMC Project also includes services to victims of family violence.