Since 2015, the Guilford County Family Justice Center has been helping victims of domestic abuse and other familial abuse through a program that’s meant to be a “one-stop shop” for victims by unifying medical, law enforcement and court services.
Now the center, which is actually a department of Guilford County government, is asking members of the community to help find the person in Guilford County who has contributed the most toward aiding older adults.
The Guilford County Family Justice Center’s Elder Justice Committee is seeking nominations for the “2024 Elder Justice Champion Award.”
The award is being given out in honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which will be observed on Saturday, June 15.
This award recognizes “efforts of people – or businesses as well – that are going above and beyond to help keep older adults in the community safe.”
Nominations for the 2024 Elder Justice Champion award will be accepted through Monday, June 3.
Award recipients will be announced at the annual Triad Elder Abuse Awareness Walk, Stroll, and Roll on Saturday, June 15 at Triad Park in Kernersville.
Nominations for the award will be accepted through Monday, June 3, 2024. They can be submitted using the following link:
There, you’ll find the 2024 Elder Justice Champion Nomination Form.
According to the county’s call for nominations that was sent out on Wednesday, May 8, elder abuse is a major problem locally and nationally.
“In the United States, “the statement reads, “it is reported that approximately one in 10 individuals aged 60 and over have experienced some form of elder abuse. Elder abuse can be intentional or unintentional and can take various forms, including but not limited to physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, financial, neglect, and abandonment. The Guilford County Family Justice Center partnership works collaboratively to provide services to victims of elder abuse and to hold offenders of these crimes accountable. Last year, nearly 800 adults sought assistance for elder abuse from the FJC. In addition, to prevent abuse, the FJC conducts targeted community outreach on topics like stopping fraud and scams and learning strategies for responding to elder abuse and neglect.”
The center constantly works hand in hand with government and community agencies for elder abuse advocacy, law enforcement, prosecution, social services and aging services, to help make Guilford County a safer place for older adults.
Department Director Catherine Johnson said that addressing the problem essentially takes a village.
“Elder abuse is a silent crime,” Johnson said this week. “Victims fear retaliation and often suffer alone. It takes the full community to raise awareness and combat abuse toward older and vulnerable adults.”
She added, “We know our community is filled with difference-makers who believe everyone has a right to age safely. The purpose of the Elder Justice Champion Award is to highlight those efforts and encourage others to join in!”
To learn more about the FJC, the work of the Elder Justice Committee, and previous Elder Justice Champion recipients, you can visit guilfordcountync.gov/fjc or contact Heather Magill, Elder Justice Specialist Coordinator at 336-641-2317.
A pony and dog show. Make everything warm and fuzzy for a poorly run govt welfare program.
Name something our govt does well.