“We are raising our babies, we are doing business here, and it’s important to get a full picture of what’s going on in our city.”Mary Avigliano
When Mary Avigliano invited her friend and realtor partner, Wendelen Rodriguez, to take the Every Neighborhood Partnership Drive Tour, she didn’t have to do much convincing.
“I have lived in Fresno my whole life—born and raised here,” Wendelen said. “Mary told me about learning the stories behind our beautiful community. I knew I had to do it.”
The two friends downloaded the ENP Drive Tour app, hopped in the car, and set out on the self-guided journey.
The app led them through different parts of Fresno—past schools, parks, neighborhoods, and landmarks—while real residents shared their stories.
“They focus a lot on the different parts of Fresno that typically go unseen,” Mary said. “You just listen, drive, and visit these sites.”
Along the way, they heard from parents, pastors, educators, and neighbors—voices that brought each neighborhood to life.
One story stayed with Wendelen long after the tour ended:
“There was a father talking about incidents with his children and how it impacted him and the community. At the time, I had a son going through some very difficult times. It was so relatable—even though we grew up on opposite sides of the city.That realization of I’m not the only one… it just drives me to do more here in the community.”
For Mary, hearing the range of voices, the hope, the hardship, and the resilience, was a reminder of how interconnected Fresno really is. “It’s important to know the needs, the wants, and the beauty of our community,” she said.
By the end of their drive, both women agreed the experience was more than a tour. It was a perspective shift.
When asked what she would say to others interested in taking the Drive Tour, Wendelen’s call to action was clear: “Go to your app store. Download it. Take the tour.”
Mary smiled and added: “We’re counting on you. We need you [to take this tour].”
