Compass Family Services to Assume Operations of Holy Family Day Home

Holy Family Day Home to Become Part of Compass Family Services in Move to Secure Long-Term Sustainability

SAN FRANCISCO (August 14, 2026) — Compass Family Services and Holy Family Day Home today announced that the 125-year-old Day Home will become part of Compass Family Services, ensuring its long-term sustainability while expanding support for the children and families it serves.

Beginning in January 2027, Compass Family Services will assume operational responsibility for Holy Family Day Home. The school will continue operating at its current location, maintaining its longstanding commitment to high-quality early childhood education and its pedagogical approach.

The announcement follows a thorough review by Holy Family Day Home’s leadership and Board of Directors to identify the best path for preserving the school’s mission amid significant financial challenges that threaten its long-term sustainability. 

Since 1900, Holy Family Day Home has provided exceptional early childhood education, primarily serving children from low-income families. Compass Family Services, founded in 1914, has also spent more than a century helping San Francisco families achieve stability through housing, family support services, and early childhood education programs. 

Early childhood education has long been a core part of Compass Family Services' work supporting families. Compass Family Services operates two early childhood programs, providing licensed and accredited childcare and preschool at no cost to San Francisco families. Compass’ portfolio of early childhood education programs will now include Holy Family Day Home.

Together, the organizations see this next chapter as an opportunity to carry their shared purpose forward: ensuring children and families have access to the education, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.

“Holy Family Day Home is a treasured institution with a remarkable legacy of serving San Francisco families,” said Erica Kisch, Chief Executive Officer of Compass Family Services. “This decision ensures that the Day Home can continue serving children and families for generations to come while benefiting from the operational infrastructure, stability, and family support services that Compass can provide. Our goal is not to reinvent what makes the Day Home special, but to help ensure it remains strong in the long term.”

As part of Compass Family Services, families attending Holy Family Day Home will gain access to a broader network of family support services over time, such as housing support, behavioral health resources, parent educational resources, and emergency financial assistance.

“Throughout this process, our Board and leadership team focused on one question: how do we preserve Holy Family Day Home and its mission for our families?” said Carrie Blanding, Interim Executive Director of Holy Family Day Home. “We explored multiple options and ultimately determined that Compass Family Services was uniquely positioned to provide the operational support, expertise, and shared values needed to sustain this beloved institution. We are confident this decision honors the Day Home’s history while creating new opportunities for the children, families, and educators who make up our community.”

The transition comes at a time when early childhood education providers across California face increasing financial pressures, rising operating costs, and changing enrollment dynamics.

“Early childhood education programs across San Francisco are navigating significant challenges, making long-term sustainability more important than ever,” said Ingrid X. Mezquita, Executive Director of S.F. Department of Early Childhood. “This model represents a thoughtful approach to preserving access to high-quality early learning opportunities while strengthening support systems for children and families. It demonstrates a commitment to continuity, stability, and the long-term health of San Francisco’s early childhood education landscape.”

The organizations expect the transition process to continue through the remainder of 2026, with Compass assuming full operational responsibility in January 2027.

About Compass Family Services

Compass Family Services is passionate about helping families who are experiencing homelessness in San Francisco—and those who are at risk—become stably housed, emotionally and physically healthy, and economically self-sufficient. Compass provides a comprehensive range of support services designed specifically for those in distress including everything from shelter and housing to childcare and basic needs support. They have been service innovators for more than 100 years, and approximately 90% of the families who complete their housing programs achieve lasting success. Learn more at compass-sf.org.

About Holy Family Day Home

Founded in 1900 by the Sisters of the Holy Family, Holy Family Day Home has provided high-quality early childhood education to generations of San Francisco children and families. Located in the Mission Dolores neighborhood, the school is recognized for its commitment to care, community, and its Reggio Emilia-inspired educational approach.