Guilford Family Justice Center celebrates 10th anniversary with ceremony

At the event on Friday, the inaugural Sgt. Dale Nix Partner of the Year Award was presented.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — On Friday, the Guilford Family Justice Center celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special breakfast at Grandover Resort in Greensboro.

Guilford County Board of Commissioners Chair Melvin "Skip" Alston, Commissioner At-Larger Kay Cashion, Greensboro Mayor Pro Tem Marikay Abuzaiter and Family Justice Center Director Catherine Johnson all spoke at the event, as well as accounts from survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes the FJC helps fight.

“We are proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Guilford County Family Justice Center,” Johnson said in a statement. “This milestone reflects thousands of lives saved through the power of collaboration with our 17 partner agencies. Together, we are united in our commitment to support victims of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and stalking while working collectively to hold offenders of these crimes accountable.  We invite the community to join us in honoring this important achievement and to continue supporting our mission and partners through engagement, advocacy, volunteerism, and donations.”

During the ceremony, the inaugural Sgt. Dale Nix Partner of the Year Award was presented. The award honors late Greensboro Police Department Sergeant Dale Nix, who was killed on Dec. 30, 2023 outside a Sheetz in Colfax after trying to stop two men who were stealing beer.

The award was presented to Paige Gilliard, the director of the Custody Advocacy Program at the Children's Law Center of Central North Carolina. According to a press release, Gilliard "has played a vital role in strengthening youth programming, including helping launch Camp HOPE, a weeklong camping and mentoring program for children impacted by violence and abuse.

“This award reflects many of the heroic traits Sgt. Nix demonstrated daily in his leadership role at the FJC. Our team and his family wanted to find a meaningful way to honor Sgt. Nix by amplifying core values that make collaboration successful,” Johnson said in a statement. “Sgt. Nix believed deeply in the power of collaboration and the importance of every professional doing their part with compassion and commitment. For the last decade, Paige Gilliard has been a key partner of the FJC, staying committed to Camp HOPE and the children we serve. Her dedication to children, her leadership, and her unwavering heart for service continue to uplift families impacted by violence and abuse, just as Sgt. Nix would have wanted.”