Festivities Celebrate First Aniversary of One Place
October 28, 2011
By Matt Okarmus

One year anniversaries are always cause for celebration. And when your cause is help­ing others help themselves, the celebration is even more meaningful.

That was the feeling surrounding the One Place Family Justice Center's annual board meeting and festivities marking its first year. More than 50 community representatives and officials gathered in the Montgomery Adver­tiser's Freedom Room, praising the efforts of the center that provides crucial services to those trying to escape a domestic violence situation.

Gov. Robert Bentley served as the guest speaker for the evening, praising the efforts of all involved with One Place. He admitted things in government can get complicated, and in comparison acknowledged the simplici­ty of the center as its greatest virtue.

"It just makes sense," Bentley said, dis­cussing the center's "one-stop-shop" approach to dealing with domestic violence situations.

Bentley said this is a cause he and his family love to support and commended the center's staff and supporters, noting there is strength in numbers.

"Y'all have compassion and have done a wonderful job," Bentley said.

Another highlight of the evening came when Execu­tive Director Steve Searcy announced the center has been awarded a $401,325 grant from the Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women.

The money will go toward hiring a coordinator and ad­vocate to communicate with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and courts in Montgomery County; devel­op a law enforcement train­ing syllabus; create policies to help victims receive un­iform treatment; train advo­cates in the surrounding six counties; and create a victim intake and offender data­base, according to informa­tion provided by One Place.

Searcy reflected on the center's beginnings, while acknowledging the impor­tance of making it through the first year.

"It was a dream of a lot of different people," Searcy said. "It's been a journey to get here today."

District Attorney and Board President Ellen Brooks handed out "Above and Beyond" accolades, thanking those who have helped make the One Place Family Justice Center's first year a success.

Recipients included May­or Todd Strange, the Mont­gomery County Commission, Montgomery Police Chief Kevin Murphy and Mont­gomery Director of Public Safety Chris Murphy, among others.

After the event, Brooks reflected on what it means to have the community's sup­port.

"This is an example of co­operation and collaboration and enthusiasm of agencies that have come together to help," Brooks said. "It lets us know we are doing the right thing."