Homeward Bound Shelter Program: A Home Is More Than Just a House

There are various health benefits of a home to people, especially for those with diseases.

If you’re homeless and one of your family members has been diagnosed with a severe condition like mesothelioma, please know that you are not alone. You can check the four stages of mesothelioma to help you identify mesothelioma’s symptoms and treatment options.

Meanwhile, many organizations and support groups reach out to families facing homelessness by helping with their basic needs.

One such organization is Homeward Bound, a non-profit organization that provides homeless families with the resources they need to rebuild their lives. Homeward Bound helps provide a safe place to live, job training, and access to essential services.

How can a happy family and life transform a “house” into a home? How do a home’s mental and physical benefits impact older adults and children, especially those with diseases?

If you’re a community difference-maker looking for a charity organization you can partner with to help solve family homelessness, this article is for you.

This article suggests various ways families can transform a mere shelter into a home. This article also lists and explains the health benefits of a home to people, especially those with diseases.

Read on to learn more information on where to donate or volunteer if you want to help address family homelessness.

How To Transform Your House Into a Home

A home is more than just a four-walled, two-story house with a huge backyard. A home is a place of comfort, security, love, belongingness, and laughter.

Sure, you can turn a house into a cozy place for physical rest by redesigning its interior or adding a more personal touch to your furniture and decorations.

But a happy family and life transform a house into a home. These factors make homes safe havens for family members, especially vulnerable ones like children, older adults, or sick loved ones.

Here’s how a happy family and life transforms an average house into a home:

Creates a positive atmosphere: A happy family turns an ordinary shelter into a place where people can be themselves and feel accepted and supported.

For instance, well-adjusted family members can initiate and maintain a positive atmosphere by encouraging everyone to have uplifting conversations and productive activities.

Those things can turn your house into a place where people can come together and celebrate life’s joys and sorrows.

You don’t need a spacious lounge area to improve your mood if you can relax and be yourself in the presence of loved ones.

Encourages growth and resilience: Do you feel stuck in work, relationships, or life? Even a beautifully furnished house may seem empty if you’re life is not progressing.

Suppose you have a disability or other chronic conditions, and your family is too busy with daily activities that they can’t spend quality time with you. In that case, you might feel that there’s no significant difference between a house and a hospital ward.

You might think that although these places differ in location, they’re both “dull” and “boring.”

But a happy family knows how to value each family member’s potential. This attitude can transform a seemingly lifeless house into a home where people can grow, learn, and explore new things.

You can find the strength and courage to face life’s challenges in such a place.

How Homes Can Benefit People’s Health

The physical structure of a house affects its residents’ health and safety. For example, poor indoor air quality may increase asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer risk.

So, there’s no doubt that housing features are critical to maintaining a family’s well-being.

However, a residential area’s “homey” aspect can also contribute to a family member’s physical and emotional health.

For instance, a healthy and happy home can improve children’s sleep duration and TV viewing habits.

At the same time, lifespans are increasing, and there’s a higher chance of developing multiple long-term health conditions as people age. This situation makes it more challenging for older adults to carry out day-to-day activities.

Still, your home environment can improve your older loved ones’ health outcomes. A few minor home adaptations can enhance everyday activities, improve mental health, and prevent falls.

Optimal health outcomes happen when family members involve themselves in decision-making regarding what each wants to achieve in the home.

Why Homeward Bound Shelter Program Is Different

At Homeward Bound, you’ll have more than just a house. Their Phoenix campus offers 76 fully-furnished apartments and various program resources to provide residents with an optimal living environment.

With the help of big-hearted partners and supporters, the organization provides families on campus with access to various amenities, including:

Fresh Food Marketplace
Grocery Pantry
Campus Wide Security
Playgrounds
Diaper Bank
Coin Laundry Services
Onsite Mail Boxes
Fitness Stations

Homeward Bound also gives families access to supportive services like workforce development, housing navigation, and educational courses to support them on their journey to long-term success.