Featuring David Rout
Executive Director of Homeward Alliance
David Rout worked for several years as a journalist after graduating with his Bachelor’s degree but soon became involved in social work through volunteering at the Sexual Assault Victim Advocates (SAVA) center in Fort Collins. This volunteer work was the driving force behind David’s decision to pursue a Masters of Social Work from Colorado State University. As a part of the degree program, David completed internships with Hand Up and Homeless Gear, programs that later developed into pieces of Homeward Alliance.
As Homeward Alliance was founded, David joined the team in 2012 as one of the organization’s first employees, becoming Executive Director in 2014. The Homeward Alliance exists to empower individuals and families who face homelessness to survive, move forward and thrive. They operate a continuum of programs and initiatives for families, adults, and seniors in the community, such as basic needs, housing-focused case management, behavioral health and employment services. Programs include Resource Navigation, Family Services, Distribution, Parole Re-Entry, Employment Services, Bike Repair, Mobile Laundry, the Homeless Management Information System, and the Housing 1st Initiative. Homeward Alliance operates the Murphy Center and Mason Place, locations for core human services, day shelters, health clinics, partner agencies, on-site case management, and residential services.
As the Executive Director of Homeward Alliance, David has led the organization to grow from a small grassroots organization to Northern Colorado’s leading agency addressing homelessness. David is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming bold ideas into impactful realities, driving innovation, and inspiring change. In addition to overseeing the organization’s programs and services, David works to advance best practices and systemic strategies aimed at making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
David’s words of wisdom to other nonprofit leaders? “It takes a long time but I’ve seen system-level change happen, and that’s where my passion comes from - this cumulative effect of the work we’ve done as a community in the last 10 years, and I am able to look back and see where we are today.”