Local family justice center gains national affiliation

Story by: South Bend Tribune Report

SOUTH BEND — The Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County has joined the National Family Justice Center Alliance as an affiliate, one of 30 throughout the nation.

Amy Stewart-Brown, executive director of the FJC, announced the affiliation Wednesday at a news conference at the center at 533 N. Niles Ave.

The new updated status for the local center recognizes the skills and commitment in providing trauma care for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking she said.

The FJC is the only affiliate of the national alliance in Indiana and surrounding states.

Stewart-Brown said the two-year accreditation took six months of meetings, work and input from staff and volunteers. The status now gives the local center more leverage when applying for federal grants and offers staff more resources that can come from the best practices of its affiliate centers.

The Family Justice Center helps victims of domestic or family violence, sexual assault and stalking, as well as individuals 50 years or older that are survivors of financial exploitation and elder abuse. It works with other agencies to help victims and their families get help, information and services.

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