Take Action
Donate To Homeward
A safe place to call home is the foundation for thriving individuals, families, and communities. When residents have a stable place to live, they can focus on their wellbeing, attend school or work, and engage with their community. But last year, roughly 5,000 individuals in Polk County experienced homelessness– depriving them of the safety, security, and foundation they need to succeed.
At Homeward, we believe the Polk County community has a collective responsibility to support residents experiencing homelessness by providing a variety of housing options and services. With your financial support, we can ensure our neighbors have access to the resources they need not just to survive— but to thrive— in stable, permanent housing. For more information on making a gift, contact Angie Arthur at aarthur@homewardiowa.org.
Volunteering With Homeward
Volunteer Opportunities
In January and July of every year, Homeward volunteers partner with community outreach staff to conduct a Point-In-Time (PIT) Count of the number of people experiencing homelessness in our community on a given night. Contact Angie Arthur at aarthur@homewardiowa.org if you're interested in being part of the next PIT Count!
Advocacy Opportunities
Talk to your local and national elected officials about the need for increased affordable housing and homelessness resources, especially in the wake of COVID-19. Discuss the need to listen to community voices and reduce barriers to housing and supportive services.
Advocating With Us
Join a Homeward Committee!
Committee Opportunities
Coordinated Services Committee
Monthly, 4th Wednesday, 10am-11am
The Coordinated Services Committee develops community strategies of improving service delivery, efficiencies, and cost effectiveness in reducing homelessness.
Finance Committee
Monthly, 1st Tuesday, 8am-9am
The Finance Committee reviews Homeward's income and expenditures and develops, reviews, and oversees financial systems and operations.
Governance Committee
Meets twice a year
The Governance Committee directs the planning, design and structure for an effective organization.
Grants Committee
Monthly, 4th Tuesday, 11pm-12pm
The Homeward Grants Committee will lead the annual HUD Funding and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) competition. The committee will guide strategic planning efforts to maximize federal funds by addressing HUD’s priorities and performance goals and evaluating applications for funding.
Housing Committee
Monthly, 3rd Monday, 1pm-2pm
The Housing Committee will recommend strategies to develop affordable housing resources to meet the needs of households at-risk of homelessness.
Nominating Committee
Meets as needed
The Nominating Committee is responsible for soliciting and identifying qualified candidates for the Homeward Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee will identify expired terms, recruit qualified candidates, and submit recommendations for nominations.
Performance Measures Committee
Monthly, 4th Thursday, 10am-11:30am
The Performance Committee will establish, monitor, and evaluate performance goals and measures of evidence of progress toward meeting the goal of reducing homelessness.
Homeward Director Council
Monthly, 2nd Wednesday, 10am-11:30am
The committee is composed of leaders from homelessness service organizations who provide consultation and input to the Homeward board.
Service Council
Monthly, 3rd Wednesday, 10am-11:30am
The Service Council is a committee of homelessness staff and provides a space for open communication and collaboration within the housing delivery system.
Communications Committee
Monthly, 1st Friday, 10am-11:00am
The Communications Committeee leads Homeward's brand, marketing, and media efforts to help better tell teh story of homelessness in our community.
To join a committee or learn more, contact Angie Arthur at aarthur@homewardiowa.org