Homeward Bound Novato is a non-profit organization serving Marin County. The organization is dedicated to combating homelessness in the area. Homeward Bound operates a resource center and emergency services center for homeless families and homeless adults. It also provides mental health services and funds a number of business ventures meant to provide employment for the homeless.
Miles is a social service organization established to assist Marin County residents through difficult times. Among other services, they help families and individuals find reasonable housing if they've been forced out of their home due to foreclosure or eviction. They also provide clothing, food, and transporation for the recently unemployed.
The North Bay Children's Center has programs for infants to pre-kindergartners. The teacher-child ratio ranges from 3:1 to 12:1 depending upon the age. Summer programs for children 5-7 years of age are also available. It is located in the Hamilton area of Novato, next to the Novato Charter School.
For four decades, the Novato Human Needs Center has been helping the most needy people in Marin County's northernmost city. The nonprofit is entrenched in the community and has hundreds of volunteers who help with food distribution to those with low incomes. Programs help residents in dire circumstances move toward self-sustainability. Among the most popular events is the annual Holiday Share Program, which allows kids to pick out free gifts for their parents and parents to pick out free donated toys for the kids. Major sponsors of Novato Human Needs include the Marin Community Foundation, the City of Novato and the United Way.