Elizabeth Giannetta

Burns Community School Program Director
Founding member of COMPASS 1995

"COMPASS has changed my life. Literally. Being a founding program participant in COMPASS I knew the impact a program like this one could have in a young person’s life. So when I graduated high school I started working at COMPASS as a youth counselor. Originally, I wanted to get my degree in social work. I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. But when I attended a state college, I wasn’t sure social work was the right medium for me to do this. The COMPASS President and CEO, Robert Pawloski, and another COMPASS employee told me about a weekend college in Massachusetts and told me I should check it out. I did and I met with the recruiter who informed me I would be a great match for the program but there was one snag. The program was intended for adults aged 24 and older. She told me she wanted to make a case for me and I should write an essay about something that has had a great impact on my life. I wrote about COMPASS, which was known as the Southend Knightriders at the time. That’s what got me into college. My essay on the program made such a huge impact on the committee they admitted me the very next day. And I haven’t looked back since. I know a lot of people who are not happy in their jobs and I don’t understand. I love my job. I love that every day I get to give back to the community where I grew up. These kids mean everything to me."