Crystal Judson Family Justice Center earns national award

Tuesday Aug 11 2009 11:14 AM

The National Criminal Justice Association is honoring the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center with its Outstanding Criminal Justice Program Award, citing the center's continued dedication to supporting victims of domestic violence.

The award is given annually at the National Forum on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. This year's conference took place Aug. 9-11 in Bellevue, Wash.

The association annually recognizes four programs selected by experts as innovative criminal justice programs that showcase promising practices to address critical crime-related issues in their communities. Susan Adams, director of the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center, will accept the award for the Western region.

"It is truly an honor to receive this award," Adams said. "It is a testament to the women and men working at the Center on behalf of clients and in pursuit of justice. This award belongs to each and every one of them."

On Aug. 18, the Pierce County Council and the Tacoma City Council will present proclamations commending the Family Justice Center for earning the award.

The Crystal Judson Family Justice Center offers comprehensive services to domestic violence survivors and their children in a safe and comfortable environment. In 2008, the FJC had 2,654 client visits (note that some individuals visited more than once); 863 children visited the center with those clients. The FJC Helpline served 3,137 clients by phone. The most common services requested were civil legal/protection order assistance, housing/shelter assistance, and DSHS/public assistance.

"This award shows that the work being done in Pierce County to assist and empower victims is a national model. It's an impressive feat to achieve such recognition less than four years after opening," said Barbara Gelman, a Pierce County Councilmember who serves as chairwoman of the FJC executive board.

The other board members are fellow County Councilmember Shawn Bunney, Tacoma City Councilmembers Rick Talbert and Connie Ladenburg, and Tex Whitney, a retired executive vice president of Columbia Bank.

The center was formed by agreement between Pierce County and the City of Tacoma and currently receives funding from those jurisdictions as well as the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the federal government.

More information is available online at www.aplaceofhelp.org or by calling the FJC Helpline at the following numbers: (local) 253-798-4166, (toll free) 1-800-764-2420, (TDD) 253-798-4620.

Contact: Susan Adams, FJC director, 253-798-4310

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