The Compass Housing Alliance Ambassador Council is a gathering of community members who desire to be of service, expand their networks, and become ambassadors to the larger community on behalf of Compass and the people we serve. Recently, they SERVED the Compass community directly by cooking a fantastic BBQ for the Veterans at our Blaine … Continue reading Filling & fulfilling
Compass Housing Alliance was selected to host a Harm Reduction Vending Machine to increase access to lifesaving Naloxone and fentanyl test strips for our program guests and their extended community. This location serves people who are currently or formerly homeless with a trauma informed, harm-reduction model that includes guests currently using substances and at risk … Continue reading This machine saves lives
The Outstanding Community Partner Award recognizes all that Compass’s partners do to enrich and amplify our work. Everyone has a role to play in tackling the complex issues of homelessness in our community, and this year’s winner, Anita Souza, PhD, plays her role masterfully! Anita (center) is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of … Continue reading Anita Souza, PhD, wins the Outstanding Community Partner Award
We have the privilege of working with some truly amazing people. It never ceases to amaze us the level of strength and resilience members of our Compass community display when overcoming life’s unexpected challenges. Melvin is a testament to that incredible strength and perseverance. Melvin lost his father at a young age, and it turned … Continue reading Spring into Action — “It’s all due to Compass”
Heinrich works as a maintenance technician at our Compass on Dexter location. He usually starts his day by grabbing his broom and making sure the outside grounds are cleaned up. He then looks at his work orders for the day and fills them as efficiently as possible. “I pretty much do anything and everything in … Continue reading “I feel like it is my calling.”
Candice is the program manager of two Compass programs, Compass on Dexter (COD) and Cascade Women’s Program.
From Streets to Home — Compass is There Compass Housing Alliance works tirelessly to walk alongside people experiencing homelessness to help them find safe and stable housing, connect with resources, and overcome barriers to stability. Sometimes, we are able to provide a direct continuum of Compass services to a neighbor in need, from streets to … Continue reading Spring Into Action 2023
Mary Steele, Executive Director When I first began climbing mountains, women were seldom invited on Himalayan expeditions. No American woman had yet climbed Everest. Annapurna: A Woman’s Place, is the story of the first American and first women's expedition to climb Annapurna I, the tenth tallest peak on earth. The book first came out in … Continue reading Women’s History Month – Reflections and More
I want you to be among the first to know that I plan to retire by the end of this year. I came to Compass as an interim executive director in October 2019 planning to be here for six to nine months. Instead, I fell in love with the mission and the Compass team and agreed … Continue reading A Special Announcement from Mary Steele
Mary Steele, Executive Director - Reflections I’m going to date myself by telling you that Black History Month was first recognized the year I graduated from high school. I loved studying history, yet nothing about the history I studied in school gave me any real understanding of the experience of Black Americans. In fact, until … Continue reading Black History Month – Reflections and More