There is an eye-catching change made this week to the old Low Bono Waiting Room on the first floor of the courthouse. As this Clerk’s Office Updated Waiting Room Photo Collage shows, the space went from “blah” to “ahhh”. Here is why:
Our office recognizes January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and committed years ago to employee training and awareness efforts on this issue. We know, sadly, that the crimes of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and drug abuse often overlap in the cases you see. Citizens coming to the courthouse to complete forms in our Civil Department (namely for obtaining injunctions for protection from DV) often require more time, may be upset, or are even embarrassed. In these situations, some privacy, peace and quiet go a long way.
For those with young children, there are understandable distractions – kids get bored and need something to do while their parent fills out lengthy packets of information and ask our Clerks questions about often confusing legal matters and court procedures. This was brought to our attention in the Fall of 2025, and the timing was right to attempt a remedy thanks to this team of contributors.
Today, Clerk/Comptroller Green welcomed an amazing group of Clerk’s Office employees and community partners to the courthouse where the improved Clerk’s Office First Floor Waiting Room was unveiled. Clerk Green and these partners explained why they welcome these joint projects accomplished thanks to like-minded, caring people who brainstormed and then donated materials and time to make the process of visiting our Civil Department and Low Bono office better for women and children in the future.
Clerk/Comptroller Green was joined by Civil Department Manager Amie Herrera, Civil Supervisor Becky Crews, Facilities Support Specialist Tim Bell, and PIO Justino). County colleague and domestic violence prevention advocate Laura Christmas also took part along with Quigley House Interim-Director Jackie Krug and her staff. Special guests from the Village Improvement Association (VIA) of Green Cove Springs included VIA President Larianne Stutts, VIA Board Member and awareness advocate Janey Fox, and VIA member and Interiors Revitalized representative Christy McCarthy (major donors who covered bulk of the cost).
The small cozy room, located at the intersection of the Civil Dept hallway and the Admin hallway, is now beautifully decorated and comfortable. A key improvement is children’s toys, books, art supplies, and kid-sized furniture. Many thanks to everyone who assisted in any way – we are grateful when a special project like this can be done without cost to our office because of the generosity of our community and their businesses/organizations.
The room is now available to the public (customers of any of our departments as needed and clients of Low Bono program attorneys as well.)