New Family Justice Center provides resources in Delano

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Delano now has a Family Justice Center, made possible through The Open Door Network, but this milestone didn’t come without challenges.

“I think the biggest challenge was finding the space, because when we first came here we didn’t have an office to be able to provide services to our families,” said Liliana Reyes, a rural therapist at the new center.

Though it’s the second biggest city in Kern, with a declining population of 50,000, resources can still be limited.

Now, a Bay Area resident has stepped in to help with this problem.

“I said ‘you know, I really don’t know what to say, but, I have this space, I want to be of service…do you have a need?’,” said Georgina Singh, a nonprofit leader. “And she said ‘yes, we have a need’.”

Singh has owned the property for 20 years and it previously had been used for medical services mostly. A call to the City of Delano connected her with The Open Door Network, which made the decision easy to turn her property into a safe haven.

“I want to teach my children that we don’t just talk about the problems, we come up with solutions,” said Singh. “Honestly I told them: “today you’re not going to go to school, because you’re going to learn something more that a school cannot teach you.”

Now, other families and children will find help without having to leave their community.

“We’re going to be providing services of case management function, housing services, advocacy, and therapeutic services for children and adults completely free of charge,” said Liliana Reyes. “There’s no requirements, as long as you have experienced any type a trauma, domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, you can obtain services here completely free.”

Walk-ins are welcomed and highly encouraged. Services are available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 1317 Main Street, Delano.

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