About Homeward Bound of Marin
Homeward Bound of Marin is the county's chief provider of shelter, housing and support services for homeless families and adults, with services including counseling, job training and workshops in "life skills" like budgeting and credit repair.
Founded in 1974, Homeward Bound has evolved from a single family shelter in San Rafael to encompass 15 residential programs ranging from emergency shelter to long-term supportive housing. These programs served an average of 1,200 people per year, including seniors, veterans, families with children and others working their way out of poverty.
Mill Street Center in San Rafael offers emergency shelter year-round to 55 adults, while Family Center operates as the county's only year-round emergency center for parents with children. Fresh Starts Culinary Academy in Novato, Homeward Bound's flagship training program, enrolls up to 60 adults a year in a 10-week intensive culinary course with job placement assistance.
Homeward Bound also operates several social enterprise businesses with a double bottom line: they earn revenue to support nonprofit shelter and training programs while providing work experience to culinary graduates. These include The Key Room event venue with on-site catering and production of Wagster Treats dog biscuits.