On Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m., the Guilford County Family Justice Center (FJC) will celebrate the 5th anniversary of the opening of the center’s High Point location.
The event will include remarks by Guilford County Commissioners Carlvena Foster and Kay Cashion as well as FJC Director Catherine Johnson, High Point Police Chief Travis Stroud, High Point Councilmember Chris Williams and various survivors of abuse by family members.
Following the October 25 program, tours and refreshments will be provided.
Cashion was instrumental in getting the first justice center in downtown Greensboro up and running in 2015. Later, the success of that endeavor prompted the county to open a second FJC office in High Point.
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners recently declared October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the board also recognized the work that the Family Justice Center has been doing to help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and elder abuse.
Johnson said one key purpose of the October 25 event is to raise awareness of the problem of violence within families.
“During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it’s important to not only increase awareness but to address domestic violence prevention, treatment, and recovery for survivors,” Johnson said. “The Guilford County Family Justice Center provides wraparound services to survivors. We are one safe place with many partners and a united mission.”
The center brings together a host of resources needed by victims and it’s billed as a one stop shop where victims can connect with multiple resources. Victims of domestic and sexual violence can get access to a wide range of support – such as assistance with filing a restraining order, making future housing plans, talking to law enforcement officers and meeting with professionals to discuss civil and criminal legal issues as well as their mental health concerns.
Johnson noted: “The success of the FJC is rooted in community partnerships. With collaborative efforts that include survivors, professionals, advocates, volunteers, and community members, the FJC has been able to amplify resources and services to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and increase offender accountability throughout Guilford County.”
The High Point branch of the Family Justice Center, located at 505 E. Green Dr., opened in 2018 and, so far, has served over 22,000.
Cashion said this week that the center has been a terrific success and has received state and national recognition.
“The Guilford County Family Justice Center has become a model for many community agencies for its successful collaboration and integrated service delivery,” Cashion said. “We are proud of our accomplishments and remain dedicated to the work ahead in helping victims of domestic violence.”
The FJC partners with 17 agencies that, together, provide easier access to comprehensive resources in Greensboro and High Point. On average, an victim who visits the FJC for the first time works with five different organizations to receive safety, legal, social and health services.
Both locations of the FJC are open for walk-ins Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
I have seen abuse among greater family members and acquaintances many times in my life. Involving both adults and children. It is very hard to see or endure. One example could be two spouses who hate each other – but they have children. What a mess.
Anything that law enforcement or counseling can do is helpful. So I am in favor of these efforts, as long as it is not another throw-money-at-it scheme to say you did something positive.