About COMPASS
SUPPORT. EXTEND. ENHANCE.
COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Inc. offers positive youth development programs five days a week throughout the school year to support, extend and enhance students’ academic success in a seamless transition. We serve more than 600 youth between the ages of 10 and 17, and provide educational, cultural, community service learning and recreational programming at each site.
Complementing our school year program is our highly regarded summer program that works with the school to prevent summer learning loss and expose students to fun and innovative programs.
Now in its fifth year, COMPASS continues to partner with the City of Hartford to implement Peacebuilders, a violence-prevention initiative. The Peacebuilders Initiative’s mission is to increase peace on the Hartford streets by mediating individual and group conflicts and linking youth who are immersed in violence to resources and support that leads them toward more positive lifestyles.
OUR MISSION
COMPASS raises the expectations of youth, inspires families, and builds peace in the community.
OUR VISION
In pursuing our mission, COMPASS Youth Collaborative’s efforts focus on helping young people navigate through and around challenging social and economic obstacles to educational achievement so that they can realize their fullest potential—in school and beyond.
OUR HISTORY
COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)3, was established in 1995 as the Southend Knightriders Youth Center. The youth center was created in response to the rash of gang activity in the Barry Square and Southend neighborhoods in Hartford. As our funding changed, it became evident that the best preventative method for reaching youth was to go through the school system.
In 2004, through a very competitive selection process, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving awarded COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Inc. a grant to implement and coordinate quality after-school programs in two Hartford schools: Bellizzi Middle School (BMS), and Hartford Magnet Middle School (HMMS). In September 2008, COMPASS expanded to serve Burns Academy for Latino Studies, and has since partnered with the acclaimed violence prevention initiative, Peacebuilders.
OUR PROGRAMS
Guided by its fundamental objective—to raise the expectations of youth—COMPASS Youth Collaborative fulfills its mission by offering high-quality programs and services designed to enrich youth, empower residents and build assets through partnerships.
INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT MORE?
OUR VALUES
Partnership
with families, schools and communities
Courage
to create change
Integrity
of the individual and the organization
Knowledge
is power
Perseverance
to overcome obstacles
Commitment
to excellence
COMPASS IN THE CLASSROOM
COMPASS collaborates with teachers to align school day lessons with after school learning. Together we create fun, hands-on and disguised learning opportunities for youth. Together we work with families to encourage leadership, positive behavior and academic success.
COMPASS IN THE FAMILY
COMPASS guides parents and families through challenging times by pointing them toward strategies, support and other resources designed to help them achieve their full potential as effective, engaged caretakers.
COMPASS IN THE COMMUNITY
COMPASS partners with local businesses, neighborhood associations and other Community-Based Organizations to maintain peace in our neighborhoods, nurture youth leadership through community service opportunities and provide access to necessary services including clinical, dental, food pantry, and social!