Homeward Bound of Marin

Ending Homelessness through Training, Housing, and Hope

Almost a year ago, Trista Amaya and her two young daughters were sleeping in a car in San Rafael. “I moved here from Michigan with the understanding that I had somewhere to go. Well, it didn’t work out,” she says. “We were on the street and it was scary.”

At the Family Emergency Center at Homeward Bound of Marin, Trista participated in an innovative program, The Trauma Treatment Program, funded in part by the New Initiatives Fund of RSF Social Finance.

The program helps families in crisis recover from emotional scars while working toward independence. It provides a therapist who works individually with parents and children toward healthy communication to heal the effects of trauma like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also offers participants parenting classes and after-school activities.

“The parenting class helped me a lot,” Trista says. “I’ve learned to respect my children and talk to them like I would want them to talk to me. And I am much more responsible.”

“We thank RSF Social Finance for funding the expansion of The Trauma Treatment program from its pilot stage. Trauma treatment is the foundation for healing and breaking the cycle of homelessness. RSF’s grant is a contribution to ending this cycle now and in the future,” says Mary Kay Sweeney, Homeward Bound executive director.

Trista and her girls have begun a new life in transitional housing. “My girls came out from being scared. I can see it’s a whole new world,” she says.

For more information, please visit Homeward Bound of Marin’s website or call 415.457.2114. To support innovative projects like Homeward Bound of Marin, please donate to the New Initiatives Fund at RSF Social finance.

(Photo courtesy Homeward Bound of Marin)

Friday, July 6th, 2007