Founded in 1974, Homeward Bound of Marin has grown to become the county's chief provider of shelter and support services for homeless families and individuals. Homeward Bound provides 445 beds nightly in 14 programs that range from emergency shelter to long-term supportive housing.
The agency offers services that include counseling, food assistance, access to job training and classes in "life skills" like credit repair and financial management. Homeward Bound serves an average of 1,400 people per year. Besides job training at Fresh Start Culinary Academy, Homeward Bound has developed several social enterprise ventures with a double bottom line: helping residents build employment skills and earning revenue to support the agency's programs. These social enterprise businesses include The Key Room event space with in-house catering services, production of Halo Truffles and a partnership with the venerable nonprofit Whistlestop in San Rafael to operate the Jackson Cafe.  In all these activities, Homeward Bound pursues a mission of "ending homelessness through training, housing and hope." For more information, please visit www.hbofm.org or call 415-382-3363 x211.