OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Oklahoma City broke ground on a new Family Justice Center on Friday.

The $42 million facility was funded through MAPS 4 and will be operated by Palomar.

It will replace the existing Family Justice Center and expand with 24-hour victim assistance, therapy and trauma treatment, acute medical services, comprehensive child services, and more. The facility will serve domestic assault survivors, victims of human trafficking, and children.

The new facility will include a 2-story Children’s Sanctuary, a 1,300 square foot store for survivors to get clothes and hygiene items, and add 18 more therapy rooms.

Mayor David Holt spoke at the groundbreaking.

“This is certainly a milestone in a journey for a lot of people here,” Mayor Holt said while speaking to the crowd. “The issue of domestic violence is very acute here in Oklahoma City and the state of Oklahoma. It’s really important that we work on these types of initiatives.”

A 2022 study done by the State Nurses Association shows Oklahoma averaged 114 domestic violence homicides between 2019-2022. The national average in that same period was just 80.

Kim Garrett-Funk

“Today is a dream we have dreamed for 5.5 years,” said Kim Garrett-Funk. Chief Visionary Officer of Palomar.

Palomar has recently been affected by federal grant funding cuts.

“In the last two weeks, we’ve had federal cuts of 1/3 of our frontline staff. While it was devastating, our board is committed and unwavering to provide services and meet the needs of our community,” Garrett-Funk added.

The new Palomar Family Justice Center is slated to open in 2027.