By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Mar 10, 2015, 16:14
PRINCE GEORGE — For more than 25 years, the James House has sat in Hopewell, servicing citizens of the Tri-City area affected by sexual and domestic violence, and stalking. Now the organization has found a new, larger home in Prince George.
The new office is located on Commons Drive in the Commons shopping center and allows for more room for the organization, including a pantry in the downstairs. The new space allows the organization to better serve the community.
“If you hadn’t visited our old office, you can’t appreciate how much we appreciate our new office,” said Chana Ramsey, CEO of the James House.
The organization held a grand opening at the new location on Friday, March 6. The heavy turnout at the opening was a clear sign as to how important this organization has been to the community.
State Sen. Rosalyn Dance was in attendance and spoke to the crowd of guests on how important the James House has been.
“In Hopewell, it was like a beacon for people who need services and didn’t need the whole world to know that they needed services, but there was a place for them,” said Dance.
“All of us have become a part of the training, the coordination to make sure that we provide quality services, confidentiality, everything that’s needed to help people who in that time of their life, they need a hand up. Not a handout, a hand up to help them through a very traumatic time in their life. It’s one of those places that provide a little safety. Because it’s not on the beaten trail, you have to know where you’re going to find this place. But when you get here, it’s a warmth, security; it’s a destination point that hopefully, people who need help will receive it,” said Dance.
Dance was included in the James House video project, ‘The 26th Story’ as the 21st story in the series. The project included 26 stories, each from a different citizen explaining their experience with domestic or sexual violence, and how the James House was there for them. The project celebrated the 25th year of the James House.
Bill Robertson, chairman of the Prince George Board of Supervisors, welcomed the James House to their new location, right down the road from where the board holds its meetings. As a former police chief, Robertson commended the organization on their work with the community.
“Having been a police chief here, I know what they do, and they do a great job. They help law enforcement throughout the area in certain situations where law enforcement or the counties can’t help,” said Robertson.
Also speaking at the event were representatives from Sen. Forbes and Sen. Warner and Delegate Riley Ingram.
The new office in Prince George includes an expanded food pantry, kids’ rooms, private counseling spaces, a donation center, and more.
The James House offers help to men, women, and children who have been affected by sexual or domestic violence, offering a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter, support groups, assistance with finding housing, assistance with basic needs, such as food and other necessities, and more. Their mission is to empower those in need to become healthy and overcome the negative events in their lives.
They are also listed as the only nonprofit agency in the area accredited by the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance.
