It takes a village to run Home Away.

We are immensely thankful for all the support we receive from donors, volunteers, and community partners.

Thank you for all that you do!

In this newsletter, you'll find...

• Welcoming New Students 
• Beach House Fun
• Moving towards success
• College Support Updates
• Help Us Keep Our Homes Thriving



We’re thrilled to share some exciting news: seven new students have joined our Schoolhouse Program! These incredible young learners come from Peru, Guatemala, and Venezuela and bring with them inspiring stories and boundless potential.

All of our new students are ESL learners, and despite the challenges of adapting to a new language, they are already excelling in school. We are committed to supporting them as they strengthen their English skills and continue to thrive.

To help them reach their goals, we’re looking for Spanish-speaking volunteers to join our team as tutors. If you or someone you know can lend your time and talents, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can ensure these bright students feel empowered and supported every step of the way!

Our Beach House Program is thriving like never before! This season, we’ve strengthened partnerships with local schools serving low-income, immigrant kids experiencing housing insecurity, Compass Clara House, an NA Women’s Group from San Mateo, and Home Away's Schoolhouse families, who now visit twice a month. We’ve also welcomed incredible groups, including our BACR colleagues, for working meeting retreats that help them recharge to continue serving the most vulnerable communities in the Bay Area.

The last few months have been filled with unforgettable moments, especially during our student trips. Picture this: a magical post-full moon beach walk during an exceptionally low tide, where kids explored vibrant marine life for the first time. From sea anemones closing gently at their touch to crabs scuttling across the sand, each discovery sparked awe. Unique shells became treasures, and laughter echoed along the shoreline. One highlight? Hosting three families from Compass Clara House Shelter on their very first beach day—every moment brimming with joy and relaxation.

Adding to the excitement, a new high school volunteer, a junior from Marin City, has joined our Wednesday group and is already making a wonderful impact. Their enthusiasm and dedication inspire us all.

These connections, adventures, and shared experiences reflect the heart of our mission at Home Away From Homelessness. We’re eager for the many more memories we’ll create together!

Your donations directly impact our students moving towards academic success. So far this year we have seen amazing progress. One of our students was struggling with organization and keeping up with assignments. By equipping him with essential school supplies, teaching him practical organization systems, and empowering him to use his student portal effectively, we’ve seen a remarkable turnaround. His confidence and grades are on the rise through consistent check-ins and encouragement!

Another student attributes his success to his incredible tutor. Patient, understanding, and dedicated, she has become a cornerstone of his growth. He often tells us how much her support means to him, and it shows his academic performance has soared, accompanied by emotional development and resilience.

Our college students continue to inspire us with their resilience and determination.

Our sophomores are thriving! With a year under their belt, they now have friends, on site support systems and more confidence as they are familiar with their surroundings and academic expectations. Students have joined several school clubs and organizations. Academically they are giving it their best and appreciate the help of Homeaway tutors in supporting their learning. Inspired by our Home Away chefs, one has started cooking for his housemates, and it’s such a hit that others on campus have requested to join in!

However, financial struggles have been a significant hurdle for many of our students, especially our freshmen. Navigating new FAFSA and CADAA processes and delays in financial aid have caused stress and tough decisions. Unfortunately, this has led to significant challenges, affecting enrollment, housing accommodations, and career choices. Despite these setbacks, we’re dedicated to helping them figure out their next steps with care and guidance.

Meanwhile, our high school seniors have been working hard to submit their college applications, complete scholarship applications, and keep up strong grades as they prepare for the next chapter. Their excitement is contagious, and we can’t wait to see all they accomplish!



With every challenge faced and milestone achieved, our college and career bound students embody the strength and potential that Home Away strives to nurture. The carefully created and orchestrated activities that we have always designed at Schoolhouse to support, nurture, and grow our students into capable, resourceful, confident students is a testament of our current and past college students. Together, we’re helping them build brighter futures!

A Home Away From Homelessness is a program of Bay Area Community Resources and works in partnership with the National Park Service.