Members of the Waycross-Ware County Chamber of Commerce, community, law enforcement and others gathered at the Waycross Family Justice Center last week for a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the center’s new playground.
Magnolia House teamed with Memorial Satilla Health HCA and Georgia Power to unveil a brand new City of Waycrossthemed playground Friday, February 20 at the facility, located at 2201 Riverside Avenue.
Waycross Police Chief Tommy Cox spoke first, recalling how the discussion for installing this playground began back in 2017.
“When you think about a playground in itself, and what is associated with that, and the number one thing I can think of as associated with a playground, is laughter,” Cox said. “If there’s a child out here, kids that are going through something, for that period of time they can come out here and have a good time. Maybe some of the bad things that are going on in their life, even if it’s for a short period, kind of goes away.”
Following Cox, Magnolia Houser Executive Director Michelle Girtman, emphasized how important something as simple as a playground can be.
“Research shows protective factors such as safe adults, structured activities, mentorship, and healthy outlets like movement and creative expression are essential for healing,” she said. “A safe playground may seem simple, but it plays a powerful role in restoring normalcy, supporting emotional healing, strengthening parentchild bonds, reducing isolation, and improving overall physical and mental health.”
Girtman recounted visiting the Fort Worth Family Justice Center, which seemed “out of reach for Georgia.” The Waycross center is now, according to Girtman, “the most rural Justice Center in America.”
“We have led the way for others in Georgia to follow and I’m proud of this project and all those who have trusted us during this process.”
The center opened August 1, 2024. It houses agencies to alleviate abused victim stresses such as repeating their story multiple times, travel between agencies and the need for immediate sanctuary.
Agencies housed in the facility include the Department of Family and Children’s Services, the Division of Child Support Services, Georgia Legal Services, Magnolia House, Southeast Health District, the Department of Public Health, Unison Behavioral Services, Ware County Sheriff’s Office and Waycross Police Department.
It serves the six counties of the Ware County judicial circuit — Bacon, Brantley, Charlton, Coffee, Pierce and Ware.
Photo by MALLAN GILL Magnolia House Executive Director Michelle Girtman and Waycross Chief of Police Tommy Cox welcomed the attendees to the dedication ceremony.
