The scourge of homelessness has many roots and affects millions of people, many of them never counted in government statistics. Yet more than three decades of service has taught us at Homeward Bound of Marin to believe that ending homelessness is a critical goal and one that is achievable by helping people lay the groundwork for a self-sufficient lifestyle.

We'd like to introduce you to some of the fantastic people that we've had the privilege to support as they advance toward lasting transformation in their lives.

• Wendy R.

Hoping to continue her education, Wendy R. moved back to Marin from South Dakota to be closer to family. She had her sights set on a pharmacy technician training program, but needed help from her parents to care for her 4-year-old, Derric.

It wasn't long before the family realized the cost of housing in Marin could put them in dire straits. They asked for help from Homeward Bound.

"I always felt like we could do better out here than South Dakota and I needed help to watch Junior," says Wendy, a member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe who became part of Homeward Bound's Family Park program. "Luckily a place for us was available."

She enrolled at Everest College in San Francisco, earning a 4.0 grade average in the nine-month program and completing an externship at Kaiser Hospital in Terra Linda. Wendy immediately accepted a full-time job at Walgreen's Pharmacy in San Anselmo.

Her work involves filling prescriptions, registering new patients and organizing patient records. While she works, her son can enjoy preschool at a Head Start center in San Rafael or spend time with his grandparents.

Wendy praises Homeward Bound for keeping her household running as she completed her training and helping her plan for the future. Eventually, Wendy hopes to return to school to become a pharmacist.

"The support system at Homeward Bound has been really important to me -- just having someone to talk to and to put me in touch with people when I need something," Wendy says. "I have a lot of hope for the future."

• Stevie Ray B.

There's a whole new smile on the face of Stevie Ray.

He loves his job as maintenance supervisor at The Mall at Northgate, where he makes sure visitors enjoy a sparkling environment with shining floors and thriving plants. In 12 months, he's risen from rookie to supervisor of a 14-member staff.

And he's put his dental plan to work correcting what he calls "neglect past the point of neglect," with results that have him smiling.

"I was afraid to smile before or I wouldn't open my mouth," says Stevie Ray, who came to New Beginnings Center in 2005 as a veteran in need of housing. "Now my teeth are white again and I can smile for real."

Stevie Ray served 10 years in the U.S. Navy's submarine force, but found his life running aground when he left the military. "I had to make a change," he says.

He enrolled in a recovery program and found a home at New Beginnings Center, which reserves 16 beds for homeless veterans. "Through the support of the counselors, I realized I didn't have to be so tough," he says. "I realized I can trust in people and, mainly, trust in myself. I'm grateful for what this place has done for me."

Stevie Ray has moved to Sonoma County, where he rents the top half of a farmhouse, and occasionally returns to New Beginnings Center on weekends as a volunteer.

"I can fix anything but a broken heart," says the former machinist's mate and submarine maintenance technician. And with the help of Homeward Bound, he says, he's close to shipshape himself.

"I've achieved every goal that I set when I left here," he says. "I lost weight, I quit smoking, I've got a great job, I'm fixing my teeth." He passed a big milestone when he graduated from his outpatient treatment program and marked two years of sobriety.

"Just watch me go," he says. "There's no stopping me now."

• Peter M.

As a peer counselor for people with mental health problems, Peter Mathieu fits the bill. "I've had disputes with doctors and side effects from medications," says Peter, a resident of Homeward Bound's Voyager Carmel Center for adults with persistent mental illness. He recounts time in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and group homes, along with periods of living with family members.

After a decade at Voyager Carmel Center in San Rafael, Peter says he's reached a comfortable place where he enjoys giving back to the community as a peer counselor at Enterprise Resource Center, operated by Community Action Marin.

"I like the idea of peer counseling," says Peter, who took two courses at College of Marin to prepare for the position. "We learned what to do with clients who have problems, how to meet clients' needs and the effects of different medications."

Peter helps clients find support services and leads a group counseling session on Thursdays. "Clients talk about what moods they're in, problems they're having with doctors, symptoms they're having," he says.

Peter credits life at Voyager Carmel Center for putting him on a stable path. "I came here from Alta Bates Hospital after a severe breakdown," says Peter, who has been diagnosed as bipolar. "I have overcome a lot of shyness. I was a very quiet person, I'm getting over nervousness that I had. What's been helpful to me is the availability of staff. They help provide a good atmosphere here and give excellent support for our outside activities."

A native of Evanston, Illinois, Peter visits yearly with a sister in Maryland and says he may head East again to live with her when she retires. For now, he's content to work in the community with help from Homeward Bound. "As a peer counselor, I bring my experience, my helpfulness and my willingness to meet people," he says. "I like doing this job."

• Dana and Dennis V.

Dana and Dennis enjoyed life as Marin homeowners until, out of the blue, Dennis lost his job. Unable to keep up with mortgage payments, their finances spiraled out of control and they found themselves homeless. Their parents took in their two daughters while Dennis and Dana lived in a camper van for four months, eventually finding their way to Mill Street Center in San Rafael, the entry point into Homeward Bound's Adult Services Program.

"When you've hit rock bottom, you don't know where to start addressing your problems," Dennis says. "Homeward Bound provided a structure and a focus on what we needed to do, one step at a time." They focused on getting healthy and Dennis was able to begin working again.

Dennis and Dana moved to Homeward Bound's Family Emergency Center to reunite with their children, Jolie and Alena. With both girls attending the same school, Dennis and Dana began working on goals like improving their money management skills and cleaning up their credit, acquiring knowledge that they said they'll use for the rest of their lives.

The family has moved from Homeward Bound to independent housing and was chosen as a "Family of the Year" by Family Works in San Rafael in 2007. "All of this success is because of your programs. In such an affluent county, to find that people really do care and support a program like this is amazing."

• June F.

As a homeowner who worked full-time for the San Francisco Muni transit system and cared for twin sons, June F. struggled to maintain the American Dream. Her work schedule kept her busy from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. as she supplemented her income by working with her mother to run a licensed home day care service where her boys stayed after school.

When June's stepfather became ill and her mother could no longer help care for the boys, Molefi and Saaiki, June turned to family and friends for child care help. But she began to feel the lack of consistent care affected her boys badly, so she left her long-time position with Muni to care for them and run the day care. Her income began to fall short, her house went into foreclosure and she was forced to declare bankruptcy.

She arrived at Homeward Bound's Family Emergency Center in transition, but made quick progress with her personal action plan. She enrolled at Fresh Starts Culinary Academy, showcasing her talent by winning second place in a chili cook-off and second place in a dessert contest in short order. Her children attended summer camp and she became more involved with her church as well as a local mentoring program.

Now moved into independent housing for several years, June has worked for Beth's Fine Desserts producing a variety of delectable treats. "My goal now is to stay focused and to remain positive. As a friend at Homeward Bound once said to me, "We're not homeless; we're houseless," June says. With her boys navigating their teen years, she plans to return to school eventually to continue pursuing her long-term educational goals.