We are COMPASS. We have impacted the lives of over 20,000 students, parents and families.

We are a community-based, non-profit, social service agency and special needs school that provides comprehensive educational, counseling and support services to high-risk youth and families. Our 4 school- and home-based programs serve over 1000 clients per year. Our mission is to equip those we serve with the skills to become self-sufficient productive members of their communities and society.

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COMPASS' Spring Fundraiser - May 12th, 2011

COMPASS' Spring Event, held on May 12th, was a wonderful success. Ned Devine's in Faneuil Hall Marketplace provided a festive background for the event, and the occasion provided an opportunity for COMPASS supporters to catch up with staff, Board members and friends of COMPASS, accompanied by great music, hors d'oeuvres, and a variety of interesting and fun raffle and auction items.

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Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation Grant Helps COMPASS School Spice Up Culinary Arts Program

The Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation Corp., a nonprofit, tax-exempt entity established by attorneys from Brown Rudnick LLP, has awarded a Community Grant to the COMPASS to purchase a Point Of Sale (POS) computer system for the COMPASS Café, part of our Culinary Arts Program. The new system will replace an outdated cash register, improving overall efficiency. More importantly, students will learn to use the systems and equipment that are used in most food service establishments, increasing their chances of employment.

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Quote:

"I wanna thank you for helping me and my family. Thank you for being there when we needed you. Also helping us know that we can love and care for each other and not be afraid. And for helping me to take compliments and for being proud for my self. ... thanks a lot for everything you done. And making me laugh and making everyone else happy. I will keep your advice in my head and use it more often."

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ASAP Overview

A remediation and academic enrichment program for students at the Middle School Academy in South Boston and Orchard Gardens K-8 in Roxbury.

COMPASS Partners with Northeastern's Service-Learning Program

COMPASS is pleased to have established a partnership with the Service-Learning Program at Northeastern University's Center of Community Service. Stephanie, our Northeastern student this fall, represents the course Child Intervention and Treatment led by faculty member Emily Mann. Stephanie has been working with School staff member Brandy Crawford, under the supervision of Anne-Carol Malone, to strengthen the school's Violence Prevention programming.

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After School Action Program Expands to Orchard Gardens K-8

Building on its recent success at Boston's Middle School Academy in Dorchester, COMPASS' After School Action Program (A.S.A.P.) has expanded its services to the Orchard Gardens K-8 School located on Albany Street in Roxbury.

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A Parent's Gratitude Letter

"I'm wiritng you to acknowledge and recognize the dedication, wisdom and earnestness of two COMPASS employees, Mundo and Steve, and to thank COMPASS for its support of our family last year. Words cannot begin to describe the tremendous gratitude I feel toward Mundo and Steve for their help working with our teenage son, A. It was a very difficult and dark period for our family.

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COMPASS' Violence Prevention Day Celebration

On Wednesday, June 9th, students, parents/guardians and staff celebrated COMPASS' Violence Prevention Day with a theme of "Violence Prevention Through a Recognition of Success," a day which provided an opportunity to recognize achievements in COMPASS' four school and famiily based programs. All attendees were given t-shirts which featured the creative expressions of students who participated in designing a message and/or artwork for this year's event. Students were rewarded with a $25 gift certificate to a store or restaurant of their choice.

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Summer School Joins with Habitat for Humanity

4 COMPASS high school students worked with the Boston Area Habitat for Humanity Program this summer, helping to construct a garage door and ceiling in low income housing in Dorchester. Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston, Inc. is a Massachusetts charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to building simple low-cost homes by forming partnerships with low-income families in need of decent and affordable housing. The organization believes that homeownership is a vital step to help families break the cycle of poverty and contributes to pride in families and communities.

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Summer School Photography Program

COMPASS School's summer session included a Photography Program sponsored by Newmarket Business Association, which consisted of students taking pictures on outings including The Freedom Trail, Castle Island, the Franklin Park Zoo, and Whale Watching. The students used the pictures they took to construct five sentence paragraphs, to complete history projects, and to write childrens' books.

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