Play is a crucial component of a healthy childhood. Five days a week, Home Away brings small groups of homeless children, age 5 – 17 from their shelters in San Francisco and Marin to the Beach House, a cozy cottage located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the Marin Headlands. At the Beach House, children encounter nature and have a chance to “just be kids”. The program allows the children to determine how they want to spend their time at the Beach House. A trip to the Beach House may include indoor and outdoor activities, such as a hike in the hills, a picnic on the beach, dress-up, arts and crafts, board games, or simply enjoying the sunset from the porch swing.
By providing homeless children with respite access, The Beach House is a place where childhood memories of joy, beauty, and nature are created and nurtured, providing a needed balance to the harsher realities of homelessness and poverty.
Program runs Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 4-7pm, and Saturday and Sunday 11:30am-3:30pm.
Volunteer Beach House Companions partner with the staff Trip Leader to provide overall program support, including supervision, meal preparation, and general maintenence of the beach house. Most importantly, Beach House Companions build genuine friendships with the children who attend!