COMPASS for kids' (formerly Parenting Resource Associates) COMPASS for homeless families
program has provided direct services for homeless parents and children living in under-resourced shelters since 2002.
In 2007, COMPASS partnered with the Massachusetts Community Colleges to kick it up several notches - and end
family homelessness in Massachusetts through education, workforce development training, life skills development, and long-term
support. The resulting program is the COMPASS Community College Collaborative (click for brochure)
Watch the COMPASS Community College Collaborative videos:
THE COMPASS MISSION
COMPASS for homeless families prepares homeless families to be successful in communities going forward
– preventing future family homelessness one family at a time.
COMPASS works intensively
with families while they are in shelter. Families are provided with a range of direct support and empowerment services
that individually and collectively serve to strengthen families while they are waiting for permanent housing.
COMPASS
addresses issues that families bring into shelter as well as serving to prevent the well documented, deleterious impacts
associated with shelter life.
COMPASS serves a leadership role in bringing together other agencies and organizations
to provide a constellation of coordinated, complimentary services that provide critical workforce development skills;
life skills – including communication, problem solving, conflict resolution and advocacy; parenting skills;
family literacy; and parenting skills, grounded in an understanding of child development.
The COMPASS team believes
that parents, particularly those who have histories of deprivation and/or trauma need nurturing, support and direct
education to best fulfill their parental responsibilities.
COMPASS ensures the healthy development of homeless
children, making sure that the adults responsible for the care and welfare of homeless children – their parents
– are best equipped to do their job as parents. Successful parenting includes providing children with the emotional,
financial, and educational support that will best facilitate their becoming productive and contributing, well-adjusted adults.
COMPASS facilitates homeless mothers in becoming the best parents they can be by empowering them to be strong mentors
for their own children.
COMPASS provides single parent, homeless families with intervention services that support
family cohesiveness and economic self sufficiency, ensuring that families are successful in communities beyond shelter.
COMPASS works to promote the end of family homelessness, one family at a time.
HOW
CAN YOU LEARN MORE?
COMPASS INFO SESSIONS Plan a COMPASS Information
Session for your group (businesses, civic groups, private groups, etc.) E-Mail us at: jodihill@compassforkids.org for further information.
WHAT
CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
6th
ANNUAL SHARING TREE GIFT CARD DRIVE-- click to read our press release. Help put a smile on the face
of a homeless parent involved with COMPASS for homeless families. COMPASS for homeless families partners with homeless parents and their children to help them find a way to
a brighter future. The path from homelessness to stability is long and COMPASS stays the course with families.
The Sharing Tree is a great way to show homeless parents that they are rememberd during the holidays!
Join
our growing list of supporters, by contacting our Executive Director Jodi Wilinsky Hill at jodihill@compassforkids.org
