OKC, Palomar break ground on Family Justice Center

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The City of Oklahoma City and nonprofit Palomar broke ground on the New Family Justice Center funded by MAPS 4.

"I was saved here," said Cara Carllson, a domestic abuse surviver who now volunteers at Palomar.

"To be alive and to be here are the biggest achievements I have made," said Kavita McMaster, another survivor and volunteer.

Survivors, advocates, and partners flooded the new site of the MAPS 4 Family Justice Center just west of 1140 N. Hudson Ave.

MAPS 4 is building the $42 million facility, while Palomar will fundraise for the operations inside.

"This will allow us to double our facility and help more survivors," said Kim Garrett Funk, the Chief Visionary Officer for Palomar.

For eight years, Palomar has helped 29,000 survivors who are fleeing domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, or criminal violence.

In 2022, Tara Currien was shot by her boyfriend several times in the parking lot of Integris. Palomar helped her escape and heal.

"A lot of times it is so hard for women to come forward. With Palomar you can go in without being judged," said Currien.

Palomar also helped Cara Carllson. Seven years ago, she showed up outside their doors with only a wagon of belongings.

"They literally unpacked my wagon and said, 'This is real. This is happening. We believe you,'" said Carllson.

McMaster said all the help you need is in one place at Palomar.

"Before Palomar, we did not have a one-stop-shop," she said. "If you did not have a car, or did not have money for gas, it wasn't possible."

A few weeks ago, the nonprofit was dealt a devastating blow. A $500,000 cut in federal funds cut a third of their frontline staff.

"The bottom line is our programming is vital to Oklahoma City and families and it cannot stop and it cannot be interrupted or people will die," said Funk.

Friday, OKC Mayor David Holt stressed Palomar's work is vital.

"Every time someone is murdered in this city it is almost always, not always, but darn-near close an act that occurred between two people who knew eachother and usually not in a public place," said Mayor Holt. "The prevention that stops violence and homicides in our city is not what happens two minutes before the act. It is what happens days weeks months years before the act."

This new facility will help them continue, by expanding their size and services.

"I'm excited we'll be able to provide more mental health and therapy," said Funk.

Not to mention, Palomar will be able to expand their hours to 24/7.

"We know domestic violence isn't 8-5. It's an ongoing thing," said Currien.

Despite cuts from the federal government, the groundbreaking is a sign that a city is behind them in their fight to end generational domestic violence.

"It's too important. Our mission will not be detoured," said Funk.

The new facility is set to open in 2027.

Palomar said they could not have done this without voters who approved the MAPS 4 penny sales tax in 2019.