“Compass Point” by Katie Damien
Angry Unicorn Entertainment: A Katie Damien Documentary produced in association with Homeward Bound
Program Spotlight: Civilian Rapid Re-Housing/HACA Program
Our Rapid Re-Housing/HACA Program provides short-term rental assistance and supportive case management services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Unlike Permanent Supportive Housing, which provides long-term assistance, the goal of Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) is to help community members secure housing quickly, stabilize, and increase their ability to maintain housing independently. Homeward Bound can provide rental assistance for up to two years, but many clients successfully graduate from the program within 6 to 12 months of entry.
The main point of entry for our Civilian Rapid-Rehousing Program is the AHOPE Day Center. We also have a Rapid-Rehousing Program for Veterans through our Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program. Non-veterans experiencing homelessness meet with our Coordinated Entry team at AHOPE, who identify their situation and current needs. In other cases, individuals and families have entered the program through referrals from the Coordinated Assessment Meeting, where housing and shelter service providers in Buncombe County meet with Asheville’s Homelessness Strategy Division.
Together, they determine which program best fits a person’s needs and history of homelessness, such as RRH. This collaboration allows us to increase our level of outreach and house people currently supported by other non-profits, including Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministries (ABCCM), Salvation Army, Safe Shelter, and Eliada Homes.
“We’ve helped a lot of people through small and major circumstances that could evict them” and for individuals who were previously unhoused, “force them back to homelessness,” shares RRH/HACA Program Manager Amanda Thomas. “They have income or the potential to earn income; they just need that extra support. Having our folks prioritized is pretty critical.”
Currently, Amanda’s team includes one Civilian Rapid Re-Housing Case Manager and two HACA Case Managers. Together, the program supports 45 clients living in homes managed by private landlords or the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville (HACA). Case management often involves addressing barriers that might seem small but have a huge impact, such as helping clients struggling with literacy complete applications or rental assistance forms, or assisting a parent who works day labor jobs and isn’t able to show proof of regular income. Other times, the team collaborates with community partners like Pisgah Legal Services to prevent disastrous situations, such as an eviction order, which can impact and limit a person’s housing opportunities for more than seven years.
While meeting, the team shared two stories of clients they assisted in the last year. One client, who was already housed, received an eviction notice after missing the deadline to submit an important annual recertification form required by HACA. Facing homelessness again, she informed her Case Manager, Nicholas, who connected her with Pisgah Legal Services’ Homelessness Prevention team. Pisgah Legal, which is experienced in tenant rights and discrimination cases, resolved the eviction in court, enabling Nicholas’s client to remain housed. When the next annual recertification form was due, Nicholas’ client submitted it on time and was stable enough to continue paying her rent.
Another client had been living in her car while working full-time as a Certified Nurse Assistant. She regularly checked into AHOPE until she became eligible for the program. Our RRH Housing Specialist, Sara, found her a home, and six months later, she was stable, consistently paying her rent, and successfully graduated from the program.
Thanks to the dedication of our staff, partners, and supporters like you, Homeward Bound’s RRH/HACA Program continues to help people get back on their feet.
“You built me a castle.”
James was living in Florida when COVID hit and he lost the ability to keep a roof over his head. His mother had passed away the year before, and without any nearby friends or family, he moved back to his home city of Detroit to stay with a friend. However, just a week later, his friend decided the lockdown and stay-at-home mandates were too difficult and left town, leaving James to continue his search for a stable home.
“That was the start of searching for places to stay where I didn’t have to walk or move through quickly enough to avoid being noticed,” James shared. “Nobody wants to see you standing around in front of their place. I learned how to move quick.” Like many experiencing homelessness, the fear of being kicked out or arrested constantly loomed while stopping to rest or sit down.
Attempts to stay with a girlfriend in Detroit and later with his aunt in Tennessee proved unsuccessful, leaving James uncertain what he was trying to accomplish or how to move forward. As someone who deeply values perseverance, he couldn’t accept the idea of getting on disability and living in an unfamiliar apartment complex surrounded by strangers. He felt stuck.
For six months, he lived in an abandoned building in Johnson City, Tennessee, dealing with the new thoughts and feelings that emerged from his mother’s passing.
“I still thought I had some progression in my life,” he expressed. “When my mother passed away, it felt as if she released these things she was holding onto. I was fortunate enough to gain a lot of knowledge from that.”
Seeking change, James decided to keep traveling and pursue sobriety, enrolling in a year-long rehab program in Brevard, NC. However, the program wasn’t what he expected, and the challenges overwhelmed him. He ended up homeless on the streets of Brevard, using alcohol to cope. Four days later, James was arrested and jailed for a month before the city decided he’d be better off elsewhere. The city drove him to Asheville, leaving him at the airport with two things: $5 and a short piece of advice,
“Find 19 North Ann and you’ll be okay.” The address of the AHOPE Day Center.
James spent the $5 on Dunkin’ Donuts and coffee before making his way toward AHOPE. He stopped along the way on Tunnel Road at the former Ramada Inn to ask for food, shelter, and resources.
“When you’re homeless and land in a new area,” he said, “you ask, ‘What does everybody do? Where does everybody go?’ You find out where all the resources are.”
It was the end of 2020, marking the start of another chapter in another new city. This time, James was on his way toward a real place he could call home.
Once he secured his North Carolina ID, James was approved for Permanent Supportive Housing. His perseverance finally paid off when he became one of the first residents of Compass Point Village in October 2023.
Over a year later, James has embraced the opportunity to grow, build a family, and learn how to communicate. His empathy and understanding of others is abundantly clear to anyone who knows him. When another resident had a tough day, James gathered a few dollars to buy him a milkshake from Cookout. When his case manager, Abby, took time off to handle personal matters, he expressed hope that things would work out for her. James says he’s someone who’ll give up to half of what he has to make anyone’s situation better. Sometimes, he jokes, he gives too much—whether it’s the last of his sugar or his patience.
He’s also learned to take the time to care for himself and not dwell on difficult situations. He enjoys staying busy, listening to music, and collecting interesting items with stories behind them, including a river stone with a face-shaped surface he found at Compass Point Village. When he saw the face from his window, he said “I’m going to give that guy a home!”
When asked about the future, James says, “I want to maintain my home, my family, and my friends who live here. I want this place to be okay. For us to be all alright. You built me a castle and it runs itself. We’re still going to be as taken care of tomorrow as we are today.”
Meal Partners
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 10.4 million Americans spend half or more of their income on housing, forcing them to choose between shelter, food, and other basic needs. For those experiencing homelessness, these choices become even more difficult. Hunger and homelessness often intensify one another, creating a cycle of physical and emotional challenges.
Organizations like Food Connection, Equal Plates Project, and World Central Kitchen are working to change that, and we witness their impact every day.
Food Connection believes access to nutritious food is a human right. Their mission to rescue surplus food, repack it into meals, and distribute it to the farthest reaches of our community is integral to fighting food insecurity in WNC. Our AHOPE Day Center wouldn’t be able to serve our unhoused neighbors as effectively without their tireless support.
Equal Plates Project believes in a connected community where local farmers thrive by providing healthy, accessible meals to everyone, regardless of barriers. Since October 2023, they have included our community’s most vulnerable members by providing daily meals to Compass Point Village. On top of that, their team is committed to building genuine relationships with our residents.
World Central Kitchen also understands the profound role food plays in restoring hope. After Hurricane Helene struck and Western North Carolina faced power and water outages, they immediately stepped in to coordinate daily meal deliveries to Compass Point Village, ensuring that hope remained alive for all.
Thank you for standing with us as we continue the fight to end hunger AND homelessness together. Learn more about how hunger and homeless intertwine here.
Appalachian Mountain Health
Our mission to end homelessness would not be nearly as successful without the dedication of community partners like Appalachian Mountain Health. Each member of their Mobile Medical Unit is not only compassionate but also personally invested in addressing the individual needs and goals of our residents at Compass Point Village. Most importantly, the team understands the barriers our unhoused community members face when accessing and trusting healthcare providers.
“A lot of folks with an extensive trauma history have had different experiences with different kinds of treatment that have worsened their trauma,” says behavioral specialist Judi Schultz. “The thought of talking to a behavioral health clinician can be off-putting. That’s why I use an integrated model of therapy. It softens the process when it’s naturally integrated with their primary care.”
When residents come seeking help for physical needs, family nurse practitioner Summer Hettinger often introduces them to Judi whenever mental health becomes a topic. In most cases, it takes multiple introductions and interactions before residents feel ready to discuss these deeper needs.
“The longer we’ve been here, the more rapport we’ve been able to build,” Summer says. “At first, we had a lot of primary care appointments, but it’s slowly increased to addressing more needs as Judi builds relationships with each client and makes them feel comfortable. Now, residents are coming in, chatting about their trauma, asking for Hepatitis C treatment, and saying things like ‘Hey, my blood pressure is high’—all things they may not have cared about in the beginning. But now, we can care about that.”
Appalachian Mountain Health visits Compass Point Village every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., providing essential medical and behavioral care from their fully equipped van and in our two dedicated provider rooms.
The rest of the AMH team plays a crucial role in building this trust with our residents. Medical assistants Carrol Rinaldi-Lemieux and Colby Reed, along with community resource advocate Doris Bennet, are often the first points of contact for residents, conducting check-ins, EKGs, blood pressure checks, and helping with Medicaid applications. While Summer can see up to 15 people a day for primary care, the team has dozens of short yet significant interactions.
“A lot of people stop by just to talk, ask questions about what we do,” says Colby. “Plus, all the relief donations we’ve been able to provide have helped people stick around longer and have more conversations before their appointments. Being able to pick through items they need while they’re waiting helps take their minds off some of the challenges they’re going through without feeling judged. They feel like they’re being helped by someone who cares about what they’re going through versus someone who’s just here for a 9-5 job.”
Our partnership with AMH began one week before Compass Point Village opened and became home to 85 of our community’s most vulnerable population. When Summer met with our Housing Director, Jenny Moffatt, we immediately knew their goals and approach to serving our unhoused community aligned perfectly with our Housing First model.
“It’s really cool at a year’s mark seeing someone come directly off the street and into a housed neighborhood.” Summer reflects. “This place and these Case Managers here, working together with Judi and our team–that’s our model. Listen to the person, see what their goals are, and help them reach those goals. That’s what I like the most about coming here.”
Judi, too, finds joy in collaborating with our case managers to find creative solutions for each resident’s needs, checking in with them at the start and end of each day, and always considering ways to improve, expand services, and reach more people.
“That’s what’s so special about this place and model. Housing these folks and integrating accessible services consistently improves outcomes. We are building a community, building trust, and we are a constant presence. I love it because this model—combining these resources—is really rare. Taking a chance on a high-acuity population that is typically difficult to reach takes adjustment, but over the past year, we’ve seen not only community support coming in but also strong relationships forming among the residents at Compass Point Village. They’re connecting in a way that’s meaningful and helpful to their overall well-being.”
One powerful example of this community spirit appeared the Tuesday after Hurricane Helene. Without power or water at their main offices, 15 other AMH providers volunteered to join the mobile team to set up a free walk-up clinic in front of Compass Point Village for everyone needing medical care. When they arrived, they were overjoyed to see residents checking in on one another, clearing fallen debris, and helping each other—just as neighbors do everywhere.
We’re grateful to Appalachian Mountain Health’s Mobile Medical Unit for stepping up in such a big way for our community. Their dedication ensures that all our community members receive the medical care they deserve, exactly when they need it.
“From the darkness to the light”
Content Disclaimer:
The following story contains content that may be triggering for some readers. Scenes include domestic violence, kidnapping, human trafficking, and rape.
Kathaleen is from Central North Carolina and is 49 years old. She’s one of the strongest and kindest people I’ve ever met.
When she was 16 years old, Kathaleen’s life changed when she was raped at a party by four white boys. At the time, her grandfather and father were both validated members of racist prison gangs, motorcycle clubs, and hate groups. The boys, who knew her family’s connections, said they did it as a punishment for speaking to a Black schoolmate earlier at the party. The same schoolmate found her after they left and stayed by her side until she got help.
“That changed my perspective,” says Kathaleen. “I didn’t want to be like those white boys, so I left home and started bouncing around. It was hard having no money, having to steal to eat, and not knowing where to sleep every night. I didn’t want to be a part of my family’s gang, but if I had stayed with them, I probably wouldn’t have been homeless.”
Kathaleen moved between friends’ homes and hotels for over 10 years until she was able to move in with her son’s father when she was 27. However, her new home wasn’t all that she hoped for and her son’s father became physically abusive.
“We had hard lives. It wasn’t a good environment. My son’s dad was an alcoholic and crackhead. There were just drugs and drugs, and when it’s around you all the time, in your face, what are you going to do? I felt like when I did drugs, I could breathe. Everything went away for about 20 minutes. And then I lost everything.”
Kathaleen and her son were kicked out of their home with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The two of them spent the next five years uncertain where they would stay each night, sleeping behind churches in the country, in her car when possible, or on the couches and porches of people she knew.
In 2021, Kathaleen was offered a more permanent place to live with another ex-partner and his girlfriend, whom we’ll call Jane. At that point, her life seemed to be improving. She had a stable home, her son moved in with his girlfriend, taking some weight off Kathaleen’s shoulders, and her ex-partner was sent to jail for drug charges, leaving the house to her and Jane. However, she didn’t know that her incarcerated ex began a close friendship with another inmate in the same prison gang Kathaleen knew from her childhood, and the two of them, along with Jane, began planning the most malicious chain of events.
The first step was to introduce Kathaleen to their new friend from jail, whom we’ll call Mike. Kathaleen and Mike’s personalities seemed to match and they began talking as pen pals. To lure her further into a relationship, Mike told Kathaleen he wanted her to live with him at his new house near the beach when he’s released. This was a lie. In reality, Mike and Jane were planning to kidnap and traffic Kathaleen for sex and drugs. Back home, Kathaleen sensed a sudden shift in everyone’s intentions. Jane grew increasingly hostile, accusing her of stealing and insisting Kathaleen needed to go to rehab. When Kathaleen fought back, Jane persisted and said she didn’t have a choice.
“She said she was taking me to a special rehab… at the beach.”
It was then that Kathaleen realized her so-called “friends” wanted to harm and hurt her. Unfortunately, what followed was a nightmare. When Mike was released on bail, Kathaleen was kidnapped, sold, and sex trafficked. She was locked in a room for three days without access to a toilet, food, phone, or medication. Her trafficker subjected her to physical abuse and tried giving her prefilled syringes containing “hot shots”—dangerous, unknown drugs that can cause kidney and liver failure in hours. Kathaleen, determined to survive, avoided the injections by dumping them in the sink.
After months of being moved around motels and trap houses, Kathaleen’s son was fed up and began planning a way to get her out of the situation. While they were moving between motels, he told her to act like she fell in the bathroom. He then went out and convinced her traffickers that her blood sugar levels were too high and she collapsed. Jane told him she “didn’t want a body on her hands” and allowed her to go to the hospital. When she arrived, Kathaleen needed a way to secure her escape and checked herself into the hospital under a mental health crisis.
“It was pretty hard. I was devastated and didn’t know what to do. But I knew I was on my way. I wanted to get clean, I wanted my kids back, I wanted my life back.”
Kathaleen spent the next two years trying to heal and recover, moving between medical and psychiatric units in 17 hospitals until she moved to Mission Hospital in May 2023. While there, a compassionate and caring nurse wanted to know more about her, concerned about why she wasn’t getting the help she needed. When Kathaleen explained her story involved sex trafficking and abuse, the nurse was shocked and immediately reached out to Helpmate, a domestic violence support agency in Asheville, and RHA Health Services. She didn’t want Kathaleen to leave the hospital without finding a safe place to live.
When Kathaleen was discharged from Mission, Helpmate paid for her to stay in a hotel for four weeks and contacted Homeward Bound for help with permanent housing and case management. Three months later, Kathaleen was approved for Permanent Supportive Housing and became one of the first people to move to Compass Point Village when it opened in October 2023.
“I was still having a lot of problems in my head. I don’t go out much, and when I do, I don’t go alone. When I would get on the bus, I was afraid of who’d be there. I was afraid I’d be taken back or killed. And those feelings and emotions were holding me back. Then, I moved here, and I’ve just blossomed!
One year later, Kathaleen’s physical and mental health has drastically changed. She’s developed a passion for painting and loves sharing her artwork with others. She’s been sober for two years, her diabetes is under control, she’s losing weight, and her IBS has completely disappeared. Kathaleen is especially grateful for the daily support from her best friend, Jake, who helps with chores and errands, and for her Case Manager, Sunni, who has been with her since day one.
“Sunni is just wonderful! She sits down to talk with me to see how I’m doing. When she’s off and I text her, she texts or calls me right back. I once had an issue at the front desk, called Sunni, and she was here in five minutes. She is a bright, bright woman. I love her.”
As a survivor of domestic violence and sex trafficking, Kathaleen deeply values the safety and security provided by Compass Point Village. The presence of a front gate, a check-in desk, and on-site staff give her a sense of protection, something she once feared she’d never have. She urges the public to believe those who come forward as victims or survivors of human trafficking,
“I went to 17 hospitals and no one believed me. Take the time to understand what someone is going through. It could happen to anyone at any time.”
- Over 100,000 cases of human trafficking involving over 190,000 victims have been reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline since 2007. Over 10,000 trafficking cases were reported in 2021.
- According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 29% of women and 10% of men in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner.
- According to the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, 27.6 million people were in forced labor during 2021.