BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Looking back, it might be hard for families to remember a time without the Courthouse Children's Center.
However, just 15 years ago, children were often forced to deal with every minute or their parents' cases.
"Children were wandering in hallways and waiting in waiting rooms while their caregivers were trying to attend a court. That was very, very challenging," said Rob Conlan, statewide program manager,
The relationship between children and their parents is something Broome County Family Court Judge Richard Miller deals with on a daily basis.
He says they're often products of their environments.
"They're mirroring behaviors that they're taught from their parents and we don't want them to see the negativity. It's really reminding parents that it's their responsibility at all times and they're exposing them to education in fact teachers that all the children have," said Richard Miller, Broome County Family Court Judge.
The Courthouse Children's Center has welcomed more than 23,000 children in their 15 years of service and each of them is given a book to take home after their visit.
Judge Miller says this is much more than a daycare, it's a place for children to learn.
"It's nice to be reminded in this setting that it's an educational process. They're not afraid to actually come into this building and that's a positive thing because the things we're dealing with in courtroom aren't always positive,” said Miller.
The center also makes sure the child has a happy, safe environment during tough times.
"We're raising the future leaders of our country and it's important that we invest everything we have on this end so that we have a great benefit on the type of young people that are coming out of our community," said Miller.