Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means, don’t do it just for yourself. You will want to leave the world a little better for you having lived in it. – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
These inspiring words capture for me what our recent merger with Lutheran Community Services Northwest signifies for the future of Compass Housing Alliance. Together, we will be able to leave bigger tracks than either of our organizations could have done alone.
As of January 1, Compass and LCSNW are one, as we are now one of the largest human service organizations in the Pacific Northwest. As one organization, we have strengthened our ability to expand housing today and in the years ahead. As one, we have deepened how we meet the needs of the people we serve, including integrating housing with behavioral health care, support for older adults, and programs that strengthen families.
What is not new is our cherished values as Compass remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that everyone in the Puget Sound region has a safe place to call home. We continue to prioritize advocacy, community, compassionate curiosity, and love as we provide trauma-informed care through our emergency services, enhanced shelter, and affordable housing programs. Looking ahead, Compass is excited to advance new initiatives, including offering a root-cause solution to help prevent and mitigate homelessness.
When it comes to leaving some memorable tracks, Reverend Otto and Alva Karlstrom, back in 1920 and 1921, founded the organizations that would eventually become Compass Housing Alliance and Lutheran Community Services Northwest. The path they blazed will continue to lead us in the years ahead, as we walk alongside those who rely on our support and remain deeply grateful to the many friends and partners whose generosity makes this work possible.
I also recently spoke with the Puget Sound Business Journal about how this merger is a positive boon for our community. This was an exclusive to the PSBJ interview, so there is a paywall, but we summarized it on our blog.
You can read the blog summary here, including the article link.
Here is to making some sizable tracks together.