Program areas at Homeward Bound of Marin
Adult Services Program - Homeward Bound serves single adults experiencing homelessness through residential programs that range from the only year-round emergency shelters in Marin County to permanent supportive housing. In the past year, our agency served 699 adults, including 52 miliary veterans, in existing programs. The agency began construction in 2023 on 24 new apartments for unhoused veterans that will open in spring 2024. Completion of this building is expected to effectively end veteran homelessness in Marin County! Site work has been completed to construct 26 more apartments for families and individuals exiting homelessness, extending the housing options for people leaving shelter services.
Family Services Program - Since 1974, Homeward Bound has operated the only year-round emergency shelter for homeless families in Marin County, California. The same building today offers shelter for nine families and services have been expanded to eight transitional and permanent supportive housing programs. In the 2022-23 year, the agency served a total of 255 people in families (122 adults and 133 children). Services include caring case management, meal support and help to find a path to housing. The agency plans to begin work on 26 new apartments in 2024 for people moving out of homelessness, including several for families. This will extend the services that last year saw 90% of families leaving Homeward Bound programs move to stable housing.
Social Enterprise Program - Since 2000, Homeward Bound has operated the FreshStarts Culinary Academy, our job-training program for homeless and low-incomeadults in Marin County. As the pandemic eased, Homeward Bound made plans torelaunch the training in November 2021, requiring all students to be vaccinatedagainst COVID-19. During the pause, the training team enrolled almost two dozengraduates in an extended course that included inventory management, staffleadership and advanced knife skills. Graduates have continued to receive hands-onexperience and paid employment in Homeward Bound's social enterprises, includingthe production of Wagster Treats dog biscuits, gourmet chocolates and the HaloHomeMades line of jams, salsas and pickles. As part of the state-sponsored GreatPlates Delivered program, the culinary team prepared more 15,000 meals forvulnerable seniors in the community.