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Family Justice Center: A Collaborative Hub for Ending Violence

Our Family Justice Center stands as the first in Los Angeles County and one of only 80 nationwide. This innovative public-private partnership brings together key agencies combating interpersonal violence—including child abuse, domestic and sexual violence—under one roof.

As members of both the National Family Justice Center Alliance and California Family Justice Center Network, we implement a nationally recognized best practice model endorsed by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Our collaborative team includes:

• StrengthUnited therapists and advocates
• LAPD major assault crimes detectives
• Dignity Health forensic nurse examiners

What makes us unique is our university foundation. Through partnership with Cal State Northridge's Eisner College of Education, we deliver an interdisciplinary approach that unites mental health professionals, educators, researchers, students, and volunteers in the mission to end abuse and violence.

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Children's Advocacy Center -A Safe Harbor for Children in Need

When a child faces the trauma of abuse, they need a place where healing can begin. That's why StrengthUnited exists.

As an accredited Children's Advocacy Center (CAC), we provide a sanctuary where vulnerable children can feel safe, heard, and supported during difficult times.

How We Help

When authorities suspect a child may be experiencing abuse, they bring them to our child-focused environment, accompanied by a trusted caregiver or "safe" adult. Here, everything changes:

• One Story, One Time - Children share their experiences just once in a supportive setting, eliminating the trauma of repeatedly retelling their story to different agencies
• Child-Centered Approach - Our specially designed spaces help children feel comfortable and secure
• Professional Collaboration - A multidisciplinary team of experts works together to make decisions in the child's best interest

A Comprehensive Support System

Our integrated care model brings together:

• Medical professionals
• Law enforcement
• Mental health specialists
• Prosecutors
• Child protective services
• Victim advocates

This collaborative approach means families don't have to navigate complex systems alone. We coordinate the services children need in one place.

Beyond the Interview

StrengthUnited provides essential follow-up care:

• Trauma-focused therapy
• Medical examination accompaniments
• Courtroom preparation
• Ongoing victim advocacy
• Personalized case management
• Family support services

We walk alongside children and families throughout their journey toward healing and justice.

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At StrengthUnited, we believe every child deserves to be safe, heard, and supported. Together, we can help them reclaim their childhood and build resilience for the future.

In 2024, StrengthUnited (SU) earned the distinction of being ranked one of theÌýBestÌýPlaces to Work in SoCal! SU was chosen based on the results of the staff's completion of theÌýBestÌýCompaniesÌýSurvey.

The Ìýhas specialized in identifying and recognizing great employers to work for. Best Places to Work SoCalÌýis a research-driven program fromÌýÌýthat examines your company’s practices, programs and benefits and surveys your employees for their perspective. Companies that meet certainÌýcriteriaÌýare considered theÌýBest Places to Work SoCal.

"Working at StrengthUnited has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career.Ìý

I love working with the diverse communities across in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys through our multi-disciplinary approach, this means on any given day I could be doing case management (helping people access basic needs like food or other resources), teaching parents how to engage with their children in a healthy way, using art as a way to connect to a child, empowering community members to see themselves as leaders."

"I owe a lot to StrengthUnited, my life, my sanity, my healing, my empowerment as a female and contributor to my community, the love to continue to grow and find hope and spread hope.Ìý
At 33 I thought IÌýwas too old and it was too late to seek help. I was ashamed and guilty and was on the floor planning a way out of this worldÌýfor months, I felt dead inside. I heard about SU through work and I didn't know how I could keep this from becoming public, that a damaged 33 year old woman was seeking safety from her abuser, her past, herself. SU called me a day or 2 after I made the first call, my therapist called me and set up a meeting.

My answer to everythingÌýwas "I'm fine".ÌýSo many things came up, but she was gentle, patient, understanding and she helped me peel back the layers of my childhood sexual trauma, deal with my DV situation at the time, get throughÌýmy suicidal thoughts, helped getÌýcounseling for my kids, a parenting coach, an advocate that would accompany me to terrifying court dates. The advocate suggested IÌýattend community workshops that would open my eyes to leadership roles, how I can give back to my community just by sharing my story.

I thought that would be a mistake, how could I share my story, my family and friends would know, but I never imagined where it would take me. I still have the same therapist now, even after taking a break [from therapy] for a few years. I am co-chair of a survivor-led leadership group, Voices United, the first San Fernando Valley (SFV) Voices chapter, which is part of an International VOICES network through Alliance for Hope.

I am an L.ÌýA and SFV member of CSSJ (Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice) I know my story can help others find their own Voice. The only regret I have is not looking or asking for help sooner."