WoodGreen launched Homeward Bound in 2004 in response to the growing number of single mothers and their children living in Toronto’s homeless shelters.

Through in-depth consultations with real women living in very precarious situations, it became clear that the path to economic independence and family stability was a combination of access to safe, affordable housing, post-secondary education, and childcare along with other supports including trauma counselling.

WoodGreen’s Homeward Bound is an award-winning four-year program that helps previously homeless or precariously housed single mothers transition from living in poverty to economic independence through safe, affordable housing, onsite child care, access to a tuition-paid college diploma and ultimately employment.

Homeward Bound Graduate Casandra was brutally attacked by a man who is now serving time in jail. Alone and without any support systems, Casandra and her eight month old child were living in a Toronto-area homeless shelter. That’s when Casandra was connected to WoodGreen – and everything changed.

“The resources given through Homeward Bound, and the willingness of heart to use these resources, that led me to success. Had I not found this opportunity, I'm not so sure I'd be able to support myself and my children today,” Casandra said.

Throughout the program, women and their children live at WoodGreen’s east-end campus in affordable two and three bedroom furnished apartments. The program provides supports and services for its participants including access to a two-year tuition-paid college diploma, goal-oriented case management, on-site child care, after-school programs for children and youth, financial literacy education, parenting support, and psychotherapy and trauma counselling.

The Homeward Bound program also provides participants with sustainable employment opportunities through the support of the Homeward Bound Industry Council. The Homeward Bound Industry Council is comprised of human resource, law, business, and IT executives who work together to provide valuable market expertise and career-track internships within their firms for Homeward Bound participants.

Homeward Bound continues to transform the lives of single mothers and their children. Graduates of the program, who only a short time ago were living in shelters or precariously housed, are now proud holders of college diplomas, have developed essential parenting and job-readiness skills, and are employed, earning family-sustaining salaries.