Memorial Satilla celebrates opening of new family justice center

Waycross, GA — Memorial Satilla Health joined state and community partners at a grand opening for the Waycross Family Justice Center last week – one of three multi-disciplinary facilities in Georgia that will provide resources to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and other forms of trauma.

During the ceremony, Memorial Satilla presented a $50,000 check to the advisory committee overseeing this project. The hospital was one of several organizations to donate substantially toward the construction of the 6,650 square foot facility that will house nine agencies under one roof and serve residents of six counties across Southeast Georgia. The FJC, a $2.3 million investment, was constructed in just 10 months and opened its doors debt-free.

“We recognize the critical need for comprehensive support services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault and other forms of interpersonal violence,” said Dale Neely, CEO. Memorial Satilla is committed to the well-being of our community. By investing in these vital resources, we aim to help survivors rebuild their lives and ensure they receive the compassionate care they deserve.”

“The Family Justice Center is proof the well-being of victims of abuse is our highest priority,” said Waycross Police Chief Tommy Cox. Cox serves as chairman of the FJC Advisory Committee.

Advisory committee members hope the Waycross FJC will serve as a model for other communities across the United States. The new facility is the most rural FJC in America. Georgia’s other two Centers are located in Macon and in Cobb County. Recent data shows multi-disciplinary centers throughout the United States have resulted in lower homicide rates and have reduced repeated single location 911 calls in the communities they serve.

The crowd that gathered last week heard from U.S. Senator Buddy Carter, Georgia Senator Russ Goodman, Representative James Burchett and Jay Neal, executive director for Georgia’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1981, the CJCC financially and programmatically supports innovative projects – like the FJC – to improve criminal justice and empower victims in the state of Georgia.

State and local officials praised the project.

“You must have community buy in for these projects to work, and you have that,” Neal told the crowd.

“This is a profound day for our community,” Burchett said. “We’re not just opening a facility. We’re opening a new chapter of hope and resilience for our community.”

Pictured l-r: Adam Landau, VP of Marketing – HCA South Atlantic Division, Celeste Brizzee, CNO – Memorial Satilla Health, Barbara Miller – Memorial Satilla Board of Trustees, Dale Neely, CEO – Memorial Satilla, Michelle Girtman, executive director – Magnolia House, Dorothy Griffin – Magnolia House Board President, Heather Flowers – FJC Site Coordinator.