The fluffy fat brown cat with white paws and a white belly shied away from spectators walking through the grand opening Tuesday of the new Family Promise of Summit County building, a day center for homeless families whose children have pets.
When people tried to pet her, the cat snuggled closer to owner Susan McIntosh. The cat is the first pet to be housed at the 4,900- square-foot facility at 111 E. Voris St.
Although Family Promise, a 10-year-old nonprofit organization, moved into the new building last month, this was the first public viewing.
Family Promise outgrew its last location, the former parsonage of the Miller Avenue United Church of Christ in South Akron, which had only 1,600 square feet.
“The old facility was so small that when families came in everybody could hear each other’s stories,” said Executive Director Jeff Wilhite. “Now we have a private area where families sit down with an intake manager to tell their story.”
Wilhite said the group served 26 families last year and 24 already this year. While they stay, they have access to computers to search for jobs and permanent housing.
Four families can be accommodated during the day. In the evenings, they are placed at various locations while their pets stay in the Promise kennels. Families are served on average 30-45 days.
The kennel, which can house up to four dogs and four cats, is a recent addition.
“Pets become a member of your family,” Wilhite said. “They are a part of who you are collectively as a family unit.”
McIntosh, who was holding the cat, has a degree in psychology and minor in linguistics, but lost her job. She stays at Harvest Home while her 9-year-old cat is at Promise. Because she is single she doesn’t qualify to stay, only visit.
“It’s not easy for me living without [Charise]. I miss her,” McIntosh said. “I come every day to see her. I’m allergic to cats, but I’m more allergic to being alone.”
Most homeless shelters do not take pets, forcing owners to find someone to watch a pet, or to give it away. Some would rather live on the streets than give up an animal.
“Sadly, we had a lady who had a 5- and a 7-year old earlier in the spring looking for shelter. She contacted us and wanted to come to the program but we didn’t have the kennel yet and had no way to help with her pet,” Wilhite said. “Because of that, she said she absolutely would not come. She said, ‘Look, my family has been devastated. I can’t do this to my 5- and 7-year-old — this dog has been a part of their life since birth. I can’t put them through one more trauma.”’
PetSmart gave $35,000 to build the kennel, so, Wilhite said, “That’s not going to happen again.” Akron is one of five PetSmart Promise on-site kennels opening this year.
Jim Morris, regional vice president of PetSmart, said pets give unconditional love, a constant that helps keep families together.
“We know the impact pets have on our lives,” Morris said.
Wilhite said the gift has resulted in other organizations getting involved.
“It’s the collaboration of various agencies with all of their donations, including the host church families who take the families to their churches for the evening, providing room for beds, dinner, snacks and entertainment,” Wilhite said. “It’s a testament to the community on how well the different agencies can work well with each other, and if you do it the right way, collaboration is the way to go.”
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.
