Homeward Bound's Family Services Program operates primarily out of two centers: the 14-room Family Emergency Center and the 9-room Family Resource Center. We also offer four transitional and permanent housing programs for families.
The experience of being homeless has a traumatizing effect on both adults and children. Our Family Services Program creates an environment to neutralize trauma and provide consistent support.
Counselors organize educational and fun activities for children, such as a Teen Activity Group for weekly outings and a weekend photography workshop, that enrich their lives and offer a sense of community. Families create action plans that might include improving parenting skills, finding consistent child care, accessing health care, pursuing new educational goals, counseling, job training and securing long-term housing.
The newest initiative in Homeward Bound's family services is Oma Village, a grassroots effort developed by the Rev. Betty Pagett of San Rafael (known as "Oma" to her grandchildren) to link caring families and others in Marin to families that need support. Oma Village offers two avenues of involvement: a monthly pledge to support families in Homeward Bound's shelter or a "visionary gift" to support development of a site offering permanent supportive housing for families. Find out more with our flyer or a pledge form.
The "front door" of our Family Services Program, the Family Emergency Center or FEC provides short-term, emergency housing for 14 families at a local motel. Residents may stay up to six months before moving to transitional housing,
In a collaboration with Head Start, families with children under 5 years old have access to consistent, caring child care on site.
Homeward Bound rejoices in the success of families in these programs, which are designed to ensure that they advance to a sustainable future. One sign of success is the accomplishment of our children, all of whom have maintained their educational and moved to next grade at the close of school for the last six years!
737 E. Francisco Boulevard
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-454-7418
The next step for families in our Family Services Program is the Family Resource Center, a 25-bed transitional home where residents may stay up to two years.
Families in this program receive comprehensive support that includes parenting classes, job training and job search support, child care, credit cleanup and financial literacy workshops, access to health care, counseling, support for substance abuse recovery, and other services. Children at this center have a play space created by the Bright Horizons Foundation, access to homework help and enjoy staff-led enrichment activities.
430 Mission Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-457-2115
Transitional and Permanent Housing for Families
Because affordable housing options are limited, Homeward Bound has extended its options for families in transition. While at these sites, families continue to receive support services that may include nutrition coaching and help with meal planning, counseling, job training and job retention support, and credit repair or money management classes. Our programs include:
Meadow Park -- Located in the Hamilton area of Novato, Meadow Park is a community of 60 affordable housing units for families. Four of these units are reserved for families transitioning from Homeward Bound's Family Services Program. An on-site counselor gives them the support they need to maintain stable housing.
Family Park -- Located at two sites in San Rafael, Family Park provides transitional housing to eight Marin families.
San Clemente Family Village - In partnership with EAH Housing, the developer of San Clemente Family Village, Homeward Bound provides services to four formerly homeless families at this site in Corte Madera.
Fireside Apartments - A collaboration with Eden Housing, which develops and manages affordable housing throughout California, the Fireside project offers 10 units of permanent supportive housing for families exiting Homeward Bound's programs. Residents receive ongoing services from on-site Homeward Bound staff.
