10/14/2026
A Brighter Day at Homeward Point!
A family tradition of hard work and giving back is making a difference for people in our community.
Chad Wilkinson, owner of Cold Smoke Cleaners, has spent years making windows sparkle across the Gallatin Valley. Recently, he brought that work to HRDC, donating his time and services to clean windows and brighten the spaces where people in our community find support.
For Chad, giving back was a way to make a difference without needing a big budget. After living in the area for 16 years, he had seen people experiencing homelessness and wanted to find a practical way to help. By donating his time and expertise, he could make the places where people stay a little cleaner, brighter, and more welcoming.
One moment at Homeward Point, our emergency shelter, has stayed with him. “Seeing families come through the doors was emotional, as was later seeing friends need housing support themselves. Those experiences were a reminder that circumstances can change for anyone, and that having a safe place to turn matters.”
“The workers of HRDC are very friendly and genuine,” Chad shared. “They are there to give back and support. They don’t judge and give the benefit of the doubt.”
And the family connection? In the first photo Chad is pictured on a ladder at just two years old, helping at his parents’ house 32 years ago. In the next is Chad’s son now helping with the same type of work.
It’s a full-circle moment for a business owner who wants giving back to be part of what he passes on. Chad hopes to make the window cleaning an annual tradition, helping us keep our spaces bright and welcoming for the people who rely on them.
Where would we be without community members like Chad, who find meaningful ways to show up for their neighbors? We’re grateful to Cold Smoke Cleaners for helping make Homeward Point a brighter place.
Cold Smoke Cleaners
