COMPASS Youth Collaborative
Changing Lives!

We first opened our doors as an after school program in 1995 as the Southend Knightriders Youth Center. In response to the rash of gang activity in the Barry Square and Southend neighborhoods in Hartford, our mission was to offer at-risk youth other options—to open minds and hearts, and to infiltrate the entire community with a sense of what a healthy, productive society looks like. In short, we went into this with the goal of raising expectations across the board.

Since then, we’ve witnessed the power of determination when it’s facilitated by caring, directed leadership. Our kids not only succeed, but thrive, and, in the ultimate pay-it-forward manner, give back to the community they came from.

Want to know more?

Click on our profiles to the right to read some inspiring stories about some of our alumni and view our video.