As we reflect on the recent commemoration of Memorial Day, our thoughts turned to those who served and to the sacrifices made in uniform. At Compass Housing Alliance, we honor that service year-round not only with words but with action.
The Veterans we serve in our emergency shelter and affordable housing programs come to us from many different places. Some have been without stable housing for months or years. Others arrive after a job loss, a health crisis, or a stretch of circumstances that just became too much to manage alone. Many are living with mental illness, traumatic brain injuries, or the lasting effects of post-traumatic stress. What they have in common is that they served this country, and they deserve real support to support the next chapters of their lives.
Thanks to a generous $100,000 grant from Boeing, we are improving access to mental health support, creating community-building opportunities, and providing the hands-on, practical support that helps veterans wherever they are on their journey.
The road to stability is rarely straight
A lot of our residents have been carrying so much for so long. Boeing’s partnership plays a critical role in helping us expand access to meaningful, healing-centered supports. – Teena Ellison, Senior Director of Housing Services
For Veterans navigating housing insecurity while also managing the effects of long-term trauma, mental illness, or a brain injury, there are real and very often significant barriers to achieving stability. Our partnership with Boeing helps us address those layers directly, supporting veterans with the one-on-one time, practical tools, and community connections they need to move forward.
This might mean finding permanent housing, securing a job, or simply learning to manage the day-to-day when life feels overwhelming. Boeing’s funding helps us work toward all of it, while also creating space for personal connections that matter just as much — sharing a meal, working in the garden, or having a real conversation with someone who genuinely cares.
When I got here, I couldn’t see past the next day. Now, I’m thinking about what comes next. I didn’t think I’d get to say that. – Shelter Guest, Blaine Veterans Center Enhanced Shelter
Showing up in person
Boeing’s commitment goes well beyond its grant funding.
Over the years, Boeing’s support has shown up in ways big and small: employee-driven grants that have funded equipment and ADA modifications at our sites, Spirit of the Holidays giving opportunities that have brought gifts to children and families across Compass communities, and a consistent willingness to connect us with experiences and partners we wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
On May 6, Boeing volunteers joined Seattle Seahawks staff for a day of service at Blaine Veterans Center Shelter. Together, they assembled furniture for the shared community space, prepared meals for residents, and sat down to share a meal with the Veterans who live there.
For residents who have experienced isolation and instability, seeing a room full of people show up, roll up their sleeves, and then pull up a chair sends a powerful message that they are not alone and that their community cares.
A partnership that honors service
Honoring those who served means more than a moment of reflection. It means showing up consistently, with real resources and genuine care, for veterans who are still fighting their hardest battles. We are grateful to Boeing for doing exactly that, and proud to stand with those who served.
November 2025: Compass staff unfurl the flag on the field after receiving the “Honoring our Heroes” award from Boeing and the Seattle Seahawks.
Boeing’s commitment to veterans is seen and felt every day at Compass Housing Alliance. We are honored by this partnership and inspired by what we can build together.