You may know that families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population in the US—now at 40% of our nation’s total. But did you know that on any given night, 1.2 million children are among those affected by homelessness?

Supporting Compass Community Services helps to ensure that programs providing low-income and homeless families with the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness are there when they need them most.

Laura and Nathan's Story

Cool. Awesome. Amazing.

Three words you're guaranteed to hear if you as Laura about her son, their future and Clara House.

Laura and Nathan, 21/2, moved into Clara House, Compass' intensive transitional housing program, in March of 2008. They lived in a private apartment for two years while Laura attended school and worked hard to achieve stability so that she could provide a happy and healthy home for Nathan.

At the time she applied to Clara House, Laura and her son were living in a local emergency shelter for families. They had become homeless when Laura's relationship with her partner deteriorated and turned violent.

Submitting an application to Clara House was not a choice that Laura took lightly. She wanted to make sure that she was ready for the intensity of the program and the expectations that it sets for its participants. "It was a big decision to make," said Laura. "They wanted people who were ready to work."

The choice proved to be a good one for Laura and Nathan. Clara House staff helped Laura to set educations goals and to create a plan for maintaining her sobriety. During her stay, Laura attended San Francisco City College and completed a public health certificate program. She is now working toward her associate's degree with plans to transfer to a four-year college to complete a bachelor's degree in public health.

The program was not without its challenges for Laura. She had to learn to be open to new ways of doing things. As she prepares for graduation, she reflects, "I was able to put my dead set opinions aside, open up and listen."

While Laura pursued her education, Nathan spent his days at Clara House's on-site licensed daycare center. Nathan blossomed under the care he received and has learned important social skills and routines. Nathan celebrated his second birthday in the Clara House courtyard with balloons, pizza, cake and a group of kids that Laura says are like his siblings.

"This has been Nathan's first idea of what it's like to have a home," said Laura.

Compass Community Services

For more than 90 years, Compass Community Services has helped low-income and homeless individuals find their way out of the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Today, Compass focuses on families, filling the needs of more than 3,000 low-income and homeless parents and children each year. Its services include intake and referral to shelter, emergency shelter, transitional housing, and childcare—in addition to a broad spectrum of counseling, parenting education, prevention, and support services. With its deep understanding of homelessness and personalized support, Compass equips clients to regain a solid footing and move toward long-term stability.

Donate

Your contributions support programs and services that provide San Francisco's most vulnerable families with the support and services they need to lead dignified, self-sufficient lives. Compass spends $.84 of each dollar donated on direct program services. Additional information about our agency, including detailed financial information is available in our 2008 annual report.

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