Homeward Bound

Beyond Shelter, Homeward Bound Offers a Path to a New Life

Many people think of Homeward Bound as a shelter for homeless families.  They do offer housing, but there’s so much more that families with children can gain from working with Homeward Bound.   In fact, they often learn how to build themselves a brand new life through help with employment, education, health care and more.  Every day, Homeward Bound helps more than 150 families in Arizona.

When you’re down and out, and have a family, there are few places where you can go to get a new start on life.

In Phoenix, Homeward Bound is something of a “well-kept secret,” says the organization’s director of marketing communications, Dana Bailey.

“We will work with families for up to two years,” Bailey explains.  “We’re not a shelter.”

Since 1990, Homeward Bound has grown to become the largest provider of transitional housing for homeless and domestic violence families in Arizona.

With 155 housing units throughout Maricopa County, Homeward Bound provides housing and other services to more than 150 families on any given day.

Other services provided to families in Homeward Bound include mental health services, employment counseling and career development, GED classes, career clothing, health care, a life skills program and childcare. 

Childcare is a very important component of Homeward Bound’s services, since all participants in the program are required to be gainfully employed to remain in the program.

“I think sometimes we might be the most well-kept secret (among the Valley’s charitable groups),” says Bailey.

But, she adds, the organization sees all sorts of families within its programs, with homelessness created through challenges ranging from domestic violence to divorce or chronic illnesses.

“There are people for whom homelessness is only a matter of steps from some hard life situations,” Bailey says.  “And we see people from all walks of life who have simply made bad decisions in their lives, or who have had no real role models in life.

“We meet them wherever they are.”

The organization supports families with children from all walks of life, the only requirement being that they sincerely want to get back on their feet.

That translates to Homeward Bound’s stipulation that all adults within the program must be willing to work and pay a proportionate share of expenses for their families while in the program.

“Right now, we are seeing a whole different population of families needing help right now.  People who were recently giving us donations, in fact, are now coming to us for help,” says Bailey.

“These are families being affected so tragically by this economic downturn, families who’ve never needed any kind of help.  They’re frightened now by the steps they need to take to keep their families together and move forward.”

Homeward Bound’s programs are structured to help the whole person, Bailey says, so that any possible cycle of homelessness can be remedied through new approaches and commitments.

“It’s not a band-aid program,” she says.  “We work to help the whole person – and this is a tough accountable program in which people must make decisions about how they can help themselves.”

How to Help Homeward Bound

Like other groups, Homeward Bound depends in part upon volunteer contributions to continue its programs and services.  While cash donations are most helpful, services and goods in kind are also welcomed.

“There are so many ways to help,” says Bailey.  Since the organization provides housing, there is a constant need for additional housing units, as well as help in renovating and maintaining homes the agency already manages.

It also means that household items and supplies are always needed, like brooms, dustpans, mops, and such.

Food, too, primarily canned and boxed foods with high child appeal, such as macaroni and cheese, packaged puddings, cereals and canned juices and fruits.

Bailey suggests one other way to donate that offers an opportunity to provide real help to a critically-needed organization and have a fun, social time with friends.

“Our Derby Fair at the Biltmore is a really fun event,” she says.  “It’s outdoors, under tents along the entrance green belt to the resort.  People can have some wonderful southern food, watch the race and enjoy an afternoon out.”

This year’s Derby Fair is set for Saturday, May 3, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on the Arizona Biltmore lawn.  Participants can watch the “Run for the Roses” simulcast on large monitors throughout the event area, sip a mint julep or two and place bets for great prizes.  Cigar smokers may relax in the connoisseurs’ smoking lounge.  Tickets are $350 each, with tables available for $3,500.  Call Dana Bailey at 602-374-8747 for more information.

www.hbphx.org