HomeAid Phoenix and Sojourner Center celebrate opening of Shelter Expansion Rooms and New Dog Park
After months of construction, friends and employees of HomeAid Phoenix and Sojourner Center gathered to celebrate the completion and ribbon cutting of the newly remodeled pet-friendly shelter rooms and outdoor dog park. Festivities included heart-felt speeches from Sojourner Center and local and national HomeAid executives, thanking all those that made the project a reality, including Builder Captain, Taylor Morrison, and a number of trade partners that made the project a reality. At the conclusion, a symbolic ribbon cutting opened the way for tours of the newly remodeled rooms and dog park.
Six rooms onsite at the Sojourner Center campus in Phoenix were redesigned to accommodate the needs of those coming to the center with pets, including an enclosed outdoor area, new flooring, cabinets and countertops, and new furniture. In addition to the remodeled rooms, a large outdoor dog park was built to allow furry friends to roam unleashed while enjoying the fresh air, complete with grassy areas and new trees.
Cindy Quenneville, Executive Director of HomeAid Phoenix and Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid America, both gave moving speeches on behalf of HomeAid. Scott remarked “One of the most impactful elements of a HomeAid project is how the “built environment" changes lives. I saw this first-hand when attending the ribbon cutting for the Sojourner Center. Not only did I see a beautifully transformed indoor and outdoor space for the residents, their families and their companion animals, I had the opportunity to meet a former resident who brought her son to show him where the two of them lived a number of years ago. What she saw brought tears to her eyes seeing how beautiful it was and how it would welcome others like her seeking refuge from a difficult time in their lives”. He added, “Thank you to everyone who contributed your skills and passion that made all of this happen. Your impact will forever be felt by people who you will never meet.”
Julie Peterson and Bailey DeRoest, Co-Directors at Sojourner Center, also gave thanks and shared their thoughts on what the project meant to their organization. “At Sojourner Center, we recognize that the path to healing is as diverse as the individuals who embark upon it. With the recent renovation project, we're embracing a broader understanding of what 'family' and 'support' mean to our participants,” said Julie. She went on to say, “As one survivor shared, "From the standpoint of my son and myself, our dog has been the unwavering pillar, providing stability in chaos, consistency in uncertainty, and, above all, unconditional love in the face of cruelty." This heartfelt message underscores a profound truth: for many survivors of domestic violence, pets are not just animals. They are lifelines”.
Bailey added, “By embracing pet-friendly renovations, we're not just making space for animals; we're honoring the resilient spirits of survivors and their pets, acknowledging the integral role these animals play in the healing journey. The heart of our project is clear: every form of support, whether on two legs or four, deserves acknowledgment, and every survivor deserves a safe space where their whole family, pets included, can find refuge and start anew.”
“What an amazing project Taylor Morrison had the privilege of participating in. It truly shows that when we pool our resources and knowledge, incredible things can get done. These six suites and pet park will make a difference in many families lives today and in the future. Way to go team HomeAid. I’m proud of what Taylor Morrison and partners could do as the Builder Capitan. ”
