CEO Corner – July 2026

July 22, 2026

Partnerships Are an Essential Part of the Ecosystem That Transforms Lives

At Homeward Bound, the collaborations and partnerships we invest in are not simply transactional, they are an active and essential part of the lives we help build. Like the components of a finely engineered engine, each partnership contributes unique strengths and function that together work collectively to create a system that works better that one part does on its own. You’ve heard, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”  That’s how it works in fact.  Together, these relationships help HBI extend beyond traditional support services to form a differentiated system of care that create meaningful, impactful experiences for the people we serve every day.

However, this engine metaphor falls short when describing human potential. A more fitting image is that of an ecosystem. By bringing together expertise in healthcare, education, technology, recreation, nutrition, community service, and countless other areas, we create an environment where the building blocks for happiness, health, independence, and belonging align into the conditions people need to thrive.

Building an Ecosystem of Care

So who are these collaborators and partners, and how do they fit into the ecosystem surrounding each Homeward Bound resident?

Day programs and social and vocational service providers play roles that vary from person to person. For some residents, participation may involve only a few hours each week, while for others these programs become a central part of daily life. Regardless of the level of involvement, these partnerships provide opportunities to develop meaningful occupations, build friendships, and receive person-centered, active support that reflects each individual’s goals, interests, and aspirations.

Our volunteers bring compassion, friendship, practical skills, and fresh perspectives that enrich everyday life. Whether widening a doorway to improve accessibility, reading with a resident, helping maintain a home, or simply sharing conversation, volunteers contribute in countless ways. Some arrive because they want to share a particular talent, while others discover opportunities almost by accident. Many are drawn back by the people they meet. Over time, these relationships often become lasting connections, not only because volunteers can see the difference they are making, but because the experience gives something meaningful back to them as well.

Student volunteers add another important dimension. Their enthusiasm and spirit of service bring energy to our homes while providing them with valuable firsthand experience and opportunity for exploration. These intergenerational relationships broaden perspectives and represent an investment in the future of disability services. Today’s student volunteers may become tomorrow’s direct support professionals, advocates, healthcare providers, policymakers, organizational leaders, family members, or community champions.

Our partnership with Bluestone Primary Care Group brings comprehensive medical care directly into residents’ homes. This model improves access to healthcare, reduces unnecessary clinic visits, and supports timely, coordinated care in familiar surroundings. We often think of Bluestone as an extension of our own clinical team, working closely with our nursing staff, outside specialists, direct support professionals, and families to create a proactive, holistic approach to healthcare. Together, these coordinated efforts help improve health outcomes, reduce medical crises, and strengthen the network of care surrounding every resident.

Contract Dietitians and nutrition consultants develop individualized nutrition plans that support each resident’s health, wellness, and personal preferences. Their expertise promotes healthy living while addressing complex dietary requirements and medical needs.

Our network of medical specialists provides access to advanced clinical expertise across a wide range of healthcare disciplines. Working alongside our care team, these professionals help ensure comprehensive, coordinated, and high-quality care that supports the best possible outcomes.

Garden consultants help create beautiful, accessible outdoor spaces that encourage recreation, relaxation, and therapeutic engagement. These environments promote well-being while creating opportunities for residents, staff, volunteers, and neighbors to connect. The hallmark of any healthy community is not simply how it serves those who are already visible and empowered, but how intentionally it includes those who have too often been overlooked. When neighbors gather in Homeward Bound’s gardens, they come to know the people with disabilities who live in their community, and our residents come to know their neighbors as well. These simple interactions build understanding, belonging, and community.

Recreation partners such as Park Tavern Bowling Alley make another important contribution by providing an accessible home base for our bowling league. This partnership allows our residents to participate in the same community spaces where everyone else gathers. In the lane next to yours, you may find Homeward Bound residents and staff enjoying an afternoon together, not in a separate program, but as members of the broader community. Partnerships like these help transform recreation from something specialized into something shared.

Accessible resorts such as North by North make vacations and recreational experiences possible for residents, staff, and families alike. By removing barriers to accessibility, these partnerships create opportunities that might otherwise seem out of reach, fostering independence while creating lasting memories and meaningful experiences.

Our electronic medical record system, provided by Therap, supports safe, coordinated, and person-centered care by giving our clinical team timely access to essential health information. The system improves communication across shifts and disciplines, strengthens care planning, and promotes continuity, quality, and excellence in both healthcare and programming.

Our information technology consultants, Whizkids, provide the expertise that keeps Homeward Bound connected, secure, and efficient. Their work behind the scenes allows our staff to focus on delivering exceptional support while ensuring that the technology residents and employees rely on remains dependable and secure.

Our partnership with the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM) extends the ecosystem beyond Homeward Bound itself. By collaborating with providers across the state, sharing best practices, investing in professional development, and advocating for policies that strengthen disability services, we help build a stronger system of support that benefits both the people we serve today and those who will rely on these services in the future.

 

Every Partnership Strengthens the Community

These examples represent only a portion of the ecosystem that supports the lives of the people we serve. There are many other collaborators and partners whose contributions are equally valuable. In truth, creating a complete list may not even be possible. Person-centered ecosystems are inherently individualized. They grow, evolve, expand, and adapt as each person’s life changes.

That is the ongoing story of Homeward Bound. As the needs, goals, and aspirations of the people we support continue to evolve, so too will the collaborations that help make those lives richer, healthier, and more fulfilling. There will always be new partnerships to cultivate and existing ones to strengthen. What remains constant is our commitment to bringing together the people and organizations that make extraordinary lives possible.

Because at Homeward Bound, partnerships do more than support our mission, they are part of the ecosystem that transforms lives.

Rob Edwards
President and CEO

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