On Wednesday, July 5, 2017, the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center (PGCFJC), an initiative of the Circuit Court, celebrated its one-year anniversary. The multi-disciplinary service center provides a full array of co-located services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and elder abuse.

“After seven years of planning and development, I’m extremely proud to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center. This moment is a culmination of hard work, dedication and support from nonprofit, community and government agencies, countless volunteer hours and the clients who trust these parties to assist in their fight for self-empowerment,” said the Honorable Sheila R. Tillerson Adams, Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County. “I would like to thank the Honorable Cathy H. Serrette, Family Division Presiding Judge, for being a steady force in every stage of the Center; Denise C. McCain, Director of the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center, for providing stellar leadership during this inaugural year and the many people who play a role in changing the lives of the individuals who walk through the doors of the Family Justice Center every day. As the vision states, the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center aims to ‘transform our community by providing life changing options to those impacted by family violence.’”

Since its opening, the PGCFJC has made significant contributions to the community and citizens which include:

• Providing services to nearly 1200 clients with more than 560 cases involving criminal matters.
• Prince George’s County citizens contributing more than six thousand volunteer hours.
• Housing more than 20 on-site partnering organizations including community-based, government and nonprofit agencies.
• Collaborating effectively with local civic, community and government organizations in outreach efforts.
• Implementation of the Stay In Touch program, a self-empowering support group for survivors of domestic violence.

 “The Prince George’s County Family Justice Center has been a beacon of light and pathway for hope for the many survivors that have come through our doors for services,” added Ms. McCain, Director of the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center. “Much of the success is attributed to the