Welcome to Jonathan’s Place
Music, cheers, and applause energized guests and staff as Homeward Bound of Marin celebrated the Grand Opening at Jonathan’s Place, a new shelter and housing program in San Rafael.
The $19 million project offers a modern, efficient shelter for 40+ adults and 32 permanent supportive housing units on two upper floors. Homeward Bound has operated adult shelter services at the site since 1986.
Homeward Bound moved services to the new building from an interim location in mid-September. Tenants in the supportive housing program will move into their new homes this fall.
Formerly known as Mill Street Center, the site has been renamed “Jonathan’s Place” to honor a special donor’s son, who experienced homelessness in Marin. The 32,000-square-foot building will serve people who have suffered repeat or extended periods of homelessness with round-the-clock staff for added support.
“This is a critical type of housing that hasn’t existed in our community,” said Mary Kay Sweeney, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Homeward Bound. “The staff support is a critical element.”
Marin County Supervisor Damon Connolly lauded the effort in comments to the Marin Independent Journal. “Homeward Bound has been a key component of our county’s homelessness strategy,” he said.
The rebuilt shelter at Jonathan’s Place offers smaller dormitory rooms for more privacy and better sleep, along with a more efficient kitchen and bathroom upgrades. On each housing floor, residents will have their own rooms while sharing a communal kitchen, dining room and bathrooms.
Ashley Hart McIntyre, Marin County’s homelessness policy analyst, said the project is unique with its intensive support services. In published remarks, she said, “This is going to mean the end of homelessness for some really sick, vulnerable folks who previously didn’t have the support they needed.”
Homeward Bound of Marin
Donate now!www.hbofm.org
(415) 382-3363 x216
Development Director: Corry Kanzenberg
Mission
Our mission of “opening doors to safety, dignity, hope and independence” is coupled with a vision that “everyone deserves a place to call home.” Founded with a single family shelter in 1974, Homeward Bound has evolved to become a leading force in ending homelessness in Marin County. Services include counseling, job training, and workshops on parenting, credit repair, money management and other life skills. Fresh Starts Culinary Academy forms the heart of our training program and ties closely to our social enterprise ventures.
Begin to Build a Relationship
We know you care about where your money goes and how it is used. Connect with this organization’s leadership in order to begin to build this important relationship. Your email will be sent directly to this organization’s Director of Development and/or Executive Director.
My mom worked three jobs and we often counted on food banks. I always worked in restaurants since I was a teenager. Even when my husband and I had our own business, it helped stretch the budget with our kids. When the wildfires happened, everything shut down – my job disappeared. It was my chance to go to Fresh Starts Culinary Academy at Homeward Bound, which I knew about but I never had the time. Even though I had a lot of experience, there was so much that I gained. It was life-changing for me.
Help Open Homes for Heroes
Building new apartments for 24 unhoused veterans in Novato is the latest campaign by Homeward Bound of Marin in its quest to end homelessness in Marin County.
That goal has never been more urgent, with the National Library of Medicine noting the average lifespan of an unhoused person is 17.5 years shorter than that of the general population.
“It just got to be real hard,” says Andrew, a veteran who received help from the organization. “If Homeward Bound wasn’t there, I probably wouldn’t be here anymore.”
With a gift of $1,860, you can provide a month of accommodation and support for a veteran, senior, or other individual facing the crisis of homelessness.
Your gift of $25,000 helps complete the new housing for veterans, with naming rights for one of 24 apartments scheduled to open in 2024.
Your gift of $1,000,000 includes the exclusive opportunity to name the veterans building.
Key Supporters
BioMarin Pharmaceutical
Built for Zero
Catalyst Kitchens
Chef John Ash
Chef Heidi Krahling
Chef Joanne Weir
County of Marin
Disabled American Veterans
Charitable Service Trust
Dominican Sisters of San Rafael
Sammy Hagar
Harbor Point Charitable Foundation
The Hellman Foundation
The Jacques Pépin Foundation
Kiosk
Marin Charitable
Marin Community Foundation
Peter E. Haas Jr. Family Fund
REDF
Tamalpais Pacific
Valley Oak Wealth Management