e The Times-News, Nephi, Utah

 

96 South Main Street, Nephi, Utah 84648 - Voice: 435 623-0525 - FAX: 435 623-4735
News for
May 28, 2025
 

 

By Myrna Trauntvein
TN Correspondent

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Juab-Millard Children’s Justice Center that will be located in the Savage Bluff’s Subdivision.

On Tuesday, May 20, community and civic leaders joined with the Friends of the Juab-Millard Children’s Justice Center (CJC) to break ground for the new center.

“The facility, located in the Savage Bluff’s neighborhood, will provide a child-friendly, home-like environment in which to provide services,” said Ann Peterson, Children’s Justice Center Advisory Board President.

The Utah Children’s Justice Center (CJC) is a program of the Utah Attorney General’s Office to coordinate investigation and prosecution of child abuse, especially child sexual abuse.

The welcome and the introduction of speakers was conducted by Scott McKay, Friends of the CJC Board President.

The prayer was presented by Mark Jones, a member of the CJC Advisory Board.

Heather Stewart, Deputy Director of the Children’s Justice Center Program with the Utah Attorney’s General Office, said that the new center would not be a sad place but a place of hope and encouragement.

She said that there are 26 CJC’s in the state of Utah. Utah opened its first Children’s Justice Center in 1991 in Salt Lake County. The state spearheaded the program and soon had two locations.

“They were created to provide a child-friendly environment for interviews and exams of child victims as well as to provide support and centralized resource referrals to victim’s families,” said Stewart.

“The first MOU with Juab County was in 2013,” she said. “Utah County CJC mentored Juab County for the first few years.”

She thanked those who had put in time, effort and money to support the CJC and said the new center would not be possible without them.

It was an exciting day for the children and families who would benefit from the work that would happen on the ground those attending were standing on, said Clinton Painter, Juab County Commissioner.

He said that when Heather Williams-Young, Director of Juab-Millard Children’s Justice Center, first came to the commission with an idea for a new CJC building they were excited but “it just felt out of reach.” However, they believed in the mission and were determined.

“And I’ll tell you what--that determination is what made all the difference,” he said.

He said that they got creative and the money didn’t come from outside, it came from the people. There were so many people willing to dig deep inside themselves and help others.

“And today, as we stand here ready to break ground, I think it’s worth stopping to appreciate just how rare and special that is,” he said. “Let’s be clear about something, this isn’t just a building. This is a safe place where children who have been victimized cam come and feel protected. Where they don’t have to repeat themselves again and again to different strangers. Where they can meet with trained professionals who understand what they’re going through, who treat them with dignity, care and with respect. This is a place where our most vulnerable, our victimized youth, can come to be heard. It’s a place of trust for them,” said Painter.

It would be a turning point for a lot of kids, he said.

He gave a heartfelt thanks, he said, to the tireless Friends of the CJC board. Their commitment, energy and refusal to give up was what had made the groundbreaking possible.

Those Friends of the CJC board included: Scott McKay, president; Debbie Sanders, vice president; Sharon Kay, secretary; Jennifer Evans, secretary; Mark Jones, Capital Campaign Committee Chairman; and Ann Peterson, Children’s Justice Center Advisory Board President.

“The Children’s Justice Center coordinates the investigation of child abuse by trained professionals including comprehensive forensic interviews that are recorded and can be submitted as evidence during trials,” said Williams-Young.

The CJC also provides mental health treatment, crisis counseling, medical services, victim assistance support services, emotional support for child and family, monitoring of case progress, and community education.

“The purpose of the Children’s Justice Center is to provide a safe, home-like environment so children can feel as comfortable as possible as they begin the journey of hope and healing from severe abuse. Our new, purpose-built facility will be a beautiful home in which to begin that healing journey. We are so excited to be able to provide the gift of hope and healing for our children and an investment in the future of our community for all of us,” Director Heather Williams-Young said.

She said that victim cases walk in alone and confused but they leave with support by the entire CJC.

The facility is planned to be approximately 4,000 square feet, on three levels, with a large, covered porch, and will be ADA accessible with off-street parking in the rear.

“This will be a beautiful home with a home-like atmosphere,” she said.

She said it was good to have a permanent home.

“The Friends are very grateful to have received financial support from the State of Utah, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Wright Healing Solutions Foundation, and the Rural Health Group. The property was generously donated by Riley and Tana Park,” said McKay.

He said that it is important to acknowledge the support of attorney Kasey Wright, the Juab County Commission, County Attorney Perry Davis, and Nephi City for their willingness to assist with this project and Juab’s National Honor Society who have been outstanding in the help they have provided.

McKay said that Heath Butler, HRB owner and General Contractor, had accepted the leadership role on the build.

“We would appear very ungrateful if we didn’t recognize the regular contributions businesses who support the Juab-Millard Children’s Justice Center including Livingston’s Photo and Print and Stotz Equipment. And likewise the hundreds of individuals and families who have found our needs list on JustServe and provided supplies ranging from snacks and copy paper to handmade blankets and stuffed animals. Thank you all,” said McKay.

He said that construction is expected to be completed by spring 2026 at which time an open house will be held. The Friends will then deed the property to Juab County.