Claymates
At East Fork, our mission is to set a beautiful and abundant table. That's why partnering with Homeward Bound feels so natural. Their work is rooted in a belief we share: that every person deserves dignity, connection and the opportunity to be part of a thriving community. Whether through stable housing, trusted relationships or a shared meal, the small things that communicate care have a lasting impact.
As we head into the final month of our partnership, we asked the Homeward Bound team to share more about the role their Case Managers play in their work, and how dignity, trust and connection help create lasting pathways out of homelessness. Read on to learn more.
What role do Case Managers play at Homeward Bound?
“Building stronger pathways out of homelessness means prioritizing not only shelter, but also belonging. In this sense, if housing is the foundation, relationships are the thing that keeps people in homes.” —Simon Dwight, CEO of Homeward Bound of WNC
In alignment with our CEO’s words, Homeward Bound’s mission to prevent and end homelessness strongly relies on the relationships between our staff and the community we serve. Once someone is placed into housing through Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Rehousing, or Homelessness Prevention, they are assigned a Case Manager to help them reach the milestone of self-sufficiency and eventual stable housing graduation.
Case Managers coordinate services and connections based on each household’s specific needs, connecting clients to legal support, healthcare providers, mental health and substance use services, and landlords willing to work with individuals who face barriers to housing. The level of support varies, but the intent is to resolve the immediate housing issue and reduce the likelihood of another crisis that could lead to a return to homelessness.
As a result of case management, 92% of people in our Permanent Supportive Housing programs remained stably housed and did not return to homelessness in 2025.
How do your staff build these relationships?
Our Case Managers’ work is deeply dependent on rapport. When working with clients who are stabilizing after a long period of instability and living in constant crisis mode, introducing an element of trust is vital. It is one of the most important parts of case management. There is an understanding that this kind of rapport takes time to build.
Our teams use a philosophy called “Pennies in a Cup.” This philosophy says that every time you see a client, you engage with them in small ways. This can be complimenting their shoes, commenting on the shirt they are wearing, or simply making small talk. These are very basic but meaningful interactions.
Each time you do this, you are putting a penny in their cup. Using a person’s name is especially important, because many people are not used to that kind of engagement from others. Over time, the cup fills up. Eventually, there may come a moment when you need to “cash in” those pennies, perhaps while helping someone through a tense situation or working to de-escalate a crisis. The trust built through consistent, day-to-day interactions makes de-escalation and support possible.
When people have their basic needs met and experience the consistency that case management provides, it creates a more communal atmosphere overall. In Permanent Supportive Housing, we are the support system. Knowing that support is there helps clients feel safe, cared for, and grounded. As they become more stable, they are better able to look outward, build trusting relationships, and engage with their community.
That sense of community is something we are beginning to see more and more. Through writing groups, yoga classes, art groups, community gatherings, dinners, cookouts, and shared lunches, residents at Compass Point Village are building meaningful connections with one another.
What is the role of dignity and respect in your organization’s values?
We asked our Compass Point Village Program Manager, Damien Roos, to answer the question: Does our work simply follow the Golden Rule—treat others how you wish to be treated?
“No. We don’t treat our clients how we ourselves wish to be treated. We treat others how they’d like to be treated. We’re working with a population that has often been deprived of dignity and respect. Helping introduce stability into their lives restores a sense of both. Once basic needs are met, people are able to focus on other aspects of their lives and begin moving forward.”
Can you share an especially inspiring client story that sticks with you?
Norma is a former resident of our Permanent Supportive Housing apartment complex, Compass Point Village. She moved from the streets into housing in October 2023. Norma’s journey from a sleeping bag on the sidewalk to a home at Compass Point Village is a testament to the transformative nature of supportive housing and community support.
Norma’s life took a tragic turn in 1992 when her daughter was murdered. The pain of that tremendous loss led her to drug use. As a result, she lost her house and her support system. She also distanced herself from her other five children in an attempt to protect them from her lifestyle. She used drugs to numb the pain of what felt like one loss after another. After years of life on the streets, Norma’s health was deteriorating. She was in and out of the hospital several times before it was determined that she needed heart surgery. Despite Norma’s complicated and often painful life, her faith remained unshaken. She made a promise to God that if she survived her heart surgery, she would stay substance-free. True to her word, she woke from surgery with a smile on her face and has remained clean since.
Norma’s path to housing began at Homeward Bound’s AHOPE Day Center when she enrolled in the Coordinated Entry process and it was determined Compass Point Village was the best housing intervention for Norma’s individual needs. “Compass Point Village is a beautiful place,” shares Norma. "Everybody here will help you in any way they can.” Norma believes in giving back to the community she now calls home. She wanted her neighbors to know “when they are down, I want to give them a laugh, when they need to talk, I got ears to hear.”
In May of 2025, Norma graduated from Compass Point Village and transitioned into our Scattered Site Permanent Supportive Housing program, which houses clients in homes owned by private landlords across Buncombe County. Case Managers, volunteers, and residents at Compass Point Village all joined in to help Norma move into her brand-new apartment.
We’re proud of Norma and all she’s accomplished, and we’re deeply grateful to our community for supporting Homeward Bound and helping make programs like Compass Point Village a success.
On May 20, 2026, we were happy to partner with East Fork Pottery to host a plated dinner for the 85+ residents at Compass Point Village. Thanks to their generous donation, our staff was able to serve a full restaurant-style meal using handcrafted East Fork plates, bowls, and serving platters. With seats at the table for individuals from all different backgrounds, the thoughtfully made pottery on the table was a meaningful touch that elevated the entire experience of this community meal.
This partnership feels natural to our organizations—East Fork has been a long time proponent that sharing a meal, alongside an intentionally set table, makes room for connection with the people and community who are important to you. That belief aligns closely with the spirit of what we strive to create at Compass Point Village everyday: a real home and community that fosters dignity and respect. The evening spent all together reinforced what we try to communicate to our clients on a regular basis- that they are seen, they are valued, and they are deserving of genuine relationships and beautiful experiences.
All of this helps create a flourishing community. All of this helps end homelessness.
