EJ POND Staff Writer
The Waycross Family Justice Center is open and ready to serve all six counties of the Ware County judicial circuit which include Bacon, Brantley, Charlton, Coffee, Pierce and Ware.
The ribbon cutting ceremony, held Thursday, August 1, was attended by a large number of community members, non profits, law enforcement and elected officials. Waycross Police Department Chief Tommy Cox, who serves as Chair of the FJC Advisory Committee, opened the ceremony.
“The Family Justice Center is proof the wellbeing of victims of abuse is our highest priority,” said Cox. “The goal should always be alleviating their burdens and not contributing to them.”
Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Jay Neal spoke after Cox.
“These three pilot sites, I believe, are innovative and groundbreaking for the state of Georgia,” Neal said, “and I am convinced this is truly the beginning of a new way of victim services in the state.”
The Waycross location is one of three in the state. The others are in Cobb County and the City of Macon. The Waycross FJC is the most rural.
State Senator Russ Goodman said in his brief comments, “I’ve always believed God judges our society by how we treat the most vulnerable among us. I have to believe the Almighty is looking down on us today and He is well pleased.”
Among the highlights of the morning was Cliff Knowlton, Market President of PrimeSouth Bank, tearing up the bank’s one million dollar promissory note and presenting it to Girtman.
“This is a $2.3 million project and down to the lamps, it’s paid for,” exclaimed Girtman, holding the ripped pieces high.
The Family Justice Center houses on site agencies to alleviate victim stresses such as repeating their story multiple times, travel between agencies and the need for immediate sanctuary.
The agencies housed in the FJC include the Department of Family and Children’s Services, the Division of Child Support Services, Georgia Legal Services, Magnolia House, Southeast Health District, the Department of Public Health, Unison Behavioral Services, Ware County Sheriff’s Office and Waycross Police Department.
State Representative James Burchett, whose wife works at the FJC, said, “As we cut this ribbon today we are reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that every individual and family has access to the resources and support they need to overcome adversity and to rebuild a better future for themselves.”
The Waycross Family Justice Center serves Pierce County residents and is located at 2201 Riverside Avenue, Waycross. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 912-285-5850.
