(PHOENIX-March 22, 2023) Sojourner Center celebrated the groundbreaking of its pet companion shelter expansion project on March 10 with Phoenix Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari, Councilmember Carlos Garcia and representatives from Taylor Morrison, BrightView, and HomeAid Phoenix.

“Our nationally recognized pet companion shelter has been in operation for nearly five years,” says Sojourner Center Co-Director Julie Peterson. “Since opening our pet companion shelter in 2015, we have served countless survivors and their pets. Most importantly, we continue to be reminded of the importance of having family members, including their beloved pets, together as they heal. By transforming our existing emergency shelter rooms and building a larger outdoor dedicated space, we’re enabling more pets and their families to overcome the impacts of abuse.”

HomeAid Phoenix pairs social services organizations with companies committed to helping people experiencing or at risk of homelessness build new lives through construction, community engagement and education.

“With only 5 percent of domestic violence shelters providing refuge for pet families across the country, this project has the potential to be a national model,” adds Peterson. “Having the additional space will provide our participants and their pet companions a sanctuary to heal and play together.”

The pet companion shelter expansion is Sojourner Center’s first project with HomeAid Phoenix.

The following organization provided funding for the Sojourner Center Pet Companion Shelter Expansion:
• Greater Good Charities
• PetSmart Charities
• Banfield Foundation
• RedRover
• Arizona Community Foundation
• AKC Humane Fund

About Sojourner Center:
Sojourner Center is a domestic violence organization that offers client-centered residential, children and youth and community outreach education services for the Phoenix community. Services include emergency shelter, transitional housing, domestic violence education, safety planning, lay-legal advocacy, case management, a licensed child care development center, a 24-hour crisis hotline, referral services, community education, after school and youth programs and an onsite healthcare clinic.

Founded in 1977, Sojourner Center's mission is overcoming the impact of domestic violence one life at a time. For more than four decades, Sojourner Center has served as a safe haven from domestic violence for adults and their children in Arizona.

Each year, Sojourner Center houses more than 1,000 vulnerable children and adults who have escaped life-threatening situations. Sojourner Center also serves more than 1,000 individuals through mobile advocacy, lay legal services, and community education and awareness events.

Sojourner Center is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jewish Family & Children's Service (JFCS). More information is available at https://www.sojournercenter.org/.