Meet Two Members of the 2026 Family Advisory Council

As Compass concludes the third year of our Family Advisory Council (FAC), we're celebrating the parents who are helping shape a stronger family homelessness response system. This year, six parents spent six months sharing their expertise, providing feedback on Compass programs, and advocating for families experiencing homelessness in San Francisco. For participants like Naeemah Hall and Michelle Watson, the experience has strengthened their confidence, amplified their voices, and created opportunities to lead on behalf of their children and community. 

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Over 200 people applied to participate in this year’s Compass’ 2026 Family Advisory Council (FAC), Naeemah was one of six moms selected. The mother of an eighteen-year-old boy and six-year-old girl, she first came to Compass while working as a homeless housing navigator in Oakland and sleeping in her car, shelter, and eventually transitional housing.  

“Now that I am housed through Compass, I’m able to focus on new entrepreneurial paths and endeavors” - Naeemah Hall 

Committed to financial stability, Naeemah is pursuing a commercial real estate license, serves on a nonprofit board and is growing a horticultural therapy brand. Participating in the FAC has also improved her stability, amplified her voice, and enabled her to advocate in ways her children can be proud of.  

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Michelle Watson, mother of an eleven-year-old girl, has been experiencing chronic homelessness since she was nineteen. She believes that her FAC participation demonstrates strength and resilience to her daughter at a crucial time.  

This opportunity has empowered her professionally, explaining that “it makes me feel like I can continue to do the daycare business. It makes me feel like I can start that nonprofit for women.” 

“Now I got to raise a strong, Black, little girl and let her know that you got a mom that is a strong woman that is trying all she can.” - Michelle Watson 

The impacts of this program extend beyond its six-month duration, creating bonds that last. The FAC discussed both Compass as an organization, homelessness in San Francisco overall, and met directly with policymakers.  

Both moms are entrepreneurs and leaders who used this opportunity to speak out for the needs of other homeless parents. Everyone deserves the right to be in San Francisco, to overcome systemic barriers to housing and have economic opportunity. 

“FAC is truly making me be like ‘you have a voice ... you are speaking for so many even when you think you are not.’” - Michelle Watson