A new resource dedicated to supporting children, families, and victims is now serving DeSoto Parish following the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of The Justin Center on Thursday, July 16.
Located at 201 Crosby Street in Mansfield, The Justin Center was established as a child and family advocacy center designed to provide hope, healing, and coordinated support for those facing some of life’s most difficult challenges.
Rather than requiring families to travel between multiple agencies and offices, The Justin Center brings a wide range of essential services together in one location. The collaborative approach allows agencies to work side-by-side, making it easier for children, families, and victims to access child advocacy services, victim assistance, family support, legal resources, foster care assistance, and other critical services.
Organizations now housed within The Justin Center include:
The Gingerbread House
Families In Need of Services (FINS)
Project Celebration, Inc.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
The Shreveport Bar Foundation
Faith and Fostering
DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office
DeSoto Parish District Attorney’s Office
Together, these organizations will provide coordinated care and support while working collaboratively to better serve the needs of DeSoto Parish residents.
The center is the result of a community-wide partnership that began through collaboration between DeSoto Parish Schools Superintendent Clay Corley and DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson, who worked together to secure the building for the project. Criminal Investigations Captain Angela Bandy played a key role in overseeing the effort, helping transform the vision into a fully operational advocacy center through years of planning and dedication.
The facility is named in honor of Justin Bloxom, whose tragic death in 2010 deeply impacted the DeSoto Parish community. By bearing his name, The Justin Center serves as a lasting tribute to Justin’s legacy while reinforcing its mission to protect children, strengthen families, and provide hope for future generations.
Community members, local leaders, partner agencies, volunteers, contractors, and supporters gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the milestone. Special recognition was also given to Justin’s mother, Amy Bloxom, for allowing her son’s name to become a lasting symbol of hope and healing for children and families throughout DeSoto Parish.
With its doors now open, The Justin Center represents a significant step forward in delivering compassionate, coordinated services where families can find help, healing, and hope—all under one roof.