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Earlier this month, Compass Family Services gathered with community members at Manny’s to discuss a question:  What becomes possible when public systems and private partners work together to address family homelessness?   Speakers Erica Kisch, CEO of Compass, and Shireen McSpadden, Executive Director of San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH), discussed the scale of family homelessness in San Francisco and how innovative solutions to the crisis emerge when government, philanthropy, and providers align.  The Scale of Family Homelessness in SF   Erica opened the evening’s discussion by reflecting on how dramatically the landscape has changed over the past three decades. Back in the mid-1990s, the family shelter wait list fit on a whiteboard. Families could move from shelter to housing within a few weeks.  Today, Erica said, “The need is tremendous. It now takes four or five minimum wage jobs to afford a two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco.” The family shelter waitlist recently reached around 400 families, meaning more than a thousand parents, children, babies, and pregnant people were waiting for a safe place to stay.  At Compass alone, more than 500 families are housed each night across shelter, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. The organization served more than 11,000 parents and children last fiscal year and is on track to exceed 12,000 this year. Most of these families are surviving in conditions other San Francisco residents never see: sleeping in cars, garages, overcrowded rooms, and temporary arrangements that strain both parents and children.  Director McSpadden grounded the conversation in system-wide data. In fiscal year 2024-2025 alone, more than 6,700 families with children were served by San Francisco’s homelessness response system. Families accounted for about 13% of households experiencing homelessness that year, and the number of families seeking services continues to rise.  Family homelessness is an issue of poverty,” Shireen said, “and San Francisco’s a very expensive place to live.”  The Innovation Gap   Both speakers named the same tension: families need flexible, timely support, but traditional funding streams are often constrained. Erica noted that HSH is Compass’ largest and most essential partner. Public funding provides the foundation for shelter, housing programs, eviction prevention, and mental health services. But she also noted that government funding is not always as flexible as needed.  When families are facing immediate barriers — medical debt, income loss, eligibility cutoffs, or other unexpected setbacks — those constraints can mean the difference between stability and crisis.  That gap is where innovation becomes critical.  The Importance of Public-Private Partnerships   McSpadden emphasized that innovation often requires philanthropic partnership:  “For things that are really innovative and new, it’s really helpful to have philanthropic partners or donors who can come in and say, ‘let’s try something out and see if this works.’”  Government provides scale and structure. Philanthropy provides agility. Providers bring direct knowledge of what families are experiencing in real time. Erica put it simply:  “We couldn’t do the work we do without our government partners, and there’s so much more we can do when we layer on these more creative, innovative and flexible approaches, doing things that government can’t do.”  This is not about replacing public systems. It’s about strengthening them: testing new approaches, evaluating results, and scaling what works.  Compass’ Innovative Solutions   Erica outlined four initiatives that reflect this partnership model in action.  Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) targets a vulnerable transition point for families when they exit time-limited rental subsidies. Through a randomized control trial, participating families receive $1,000 per month for one year. The initiative is funded by Google, evaluated by NYU and the Turner Center, and implemented by Compass and Hamilton Families. While long-term data is still forthcoming, early indicators are promising.  The Family Stability Fund fills gaps traditional systems cannot. Supported by a single donor, the Fund has distributed more than $2 million to remove barriers to stability by covering unique, one-time needs like tuition, medical bills, workforce training, and other critical expenses. Eighty-five percent of participating families report increased stability. As Erica described it, the Fund allows Compass to respond quickly and holistically when families face destabilizing challenges.  Compass Housing Location Services (CHLS) provides housing support to those who aren’t being served by the homelessness response system. It was created to support families who would otherwise be falling through the cracks including those not eligible for services through Coordinated Entry or not well served by Coordinated Entry, but experiencing or on the brink of homelessness. Through hands-on housing search support, Compass Housing Locators work directly with families to identify units, engage landlords, and move families into housing. Compass also provides financial counseling for these families, and is in the process of adding shallow subsidies to aid families on the path to stability.  The Family Homelessness Prevention Pilot , launched with support from Tipping Point Community and in partnership with four sister organizations, adapts the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) model to reach families early and with more flexibility. Over the past year, Compass served 27% more families through this approach, with 242 families supported across partner agencies.     Across all four initiatives, the philosophy remains consistent. “We are committed to Housing Fist, but not housing only,” Erica said. “A family needs more than a lease and a key.”  Looking Ahead   The conversation at Manny’s underscored both the scale of the challenge and the promise of partnership.   Public funding provides the backbone of the homelessness response system. Philanthropic investment provides the flexibility to test, refine, and strengthen that system. Providers bring direct insight into what families actually need to stabilize.  When those pieces work together, innovation becomes possible, and families move more quickly from crisis to lasting stability.

Roberto turned 1 this August and was able to celebrate his birthday in his new home with his family. He received a cake from Cakes 4 Kids inspired by Roberto's love of carne asada. Compass teams work hard every day to support families, but we also know we can’t do it alone. We partner with other organizations that share our commitment to uplifting the community as a whole. Together, we help ensure that families feel seen, valued, and like they truly belong.   So what exactly does Cake4Kids do? The organization began when founder Libby Gruender watched a video about a young girl in foster care who received a chocolate birthday cake for the very first time. Overwhelmed with joy, the girl ran upstairs crying, simply because no one had ever celebrated her birthday with a cake before. That moment inspired Libby to start Cake4Kids in 2010 with only 13 volunteers. Today, the organization has thousands of volunteers nationwide.  Our partnership began in late 2022, when a Compass case worker was supporting a family whose child’s birthday was approaching. The family couldn’t afford a cake, and the case worker wanted to help make the day special. She reached out to a former colleague, who connected her with Cake4Kids, and that’s when the magic began.  Cake4Kids encouraged her to register Compass as a partner agency, and by December 2022, we were officially part of the Cake4Kids network. Since then, staff receive monthly reminders about this wonderful partnership and how it can brighten a child’s special day—and brighten days it has.  Cake4Kids has collaborated with several Compass programs, and the impact is remarkable. At our Grove Street and Clara House locations alone, more than 350 families  have received cakes. Across The Margot, Compass Children’s Center, and Compass Family Shelter, volunteers have delivered 328 cakes  since our partnership began.  Many families have benefited from Cake4Kids through Compass, and we are deeply grateful. Every child deserves to celebrate their birthday, and having a cake, something so simple yet so meaningful, helps make that possible. In a city as expensive as San Francisco, providing even basic necessities can be challenging. But thanks to generous partners like Cake4Kids, parents can worry a little less and enjoy the happiness on their child’s face when they see a cake made just for them.

This week, children from all over the Tenderloin came to Civic Center to delight in a day of games, treats, entertainment, and lots of pumpkins at the Compass Family Services Halloween Pumpkin Patch for Tenderloin Children! This first ever event was put on with the support of over a dozen organizations that came together to make the day special for often underserved Tenderloin families. The Tenderloin, frequently associated with crime or drug use, is in fact home to the largest population of children of any neighborhood in San Francisco. These children often miss out on a lot of the fun experiences that make childhood joyful. Many had never been to a pumpkin patch before, given the urban environment where they live. So, Compass decided to bring the pumpkin patch right to the kids. Activities included crafts, a bounce house, corn hole, pumpkin picking and trick-or-treat. Special guests included Mayor Daniel Lurie, Per Sia, award-winning drag queen who read to the children in Spanish, a magician, a clown, and three members of San Francisco's pro women's basketball team the Golden State Valkyries. Kids left with books, pumpkins, snacks, and goody bags filled with toys and treats. Check out all the fun! Thanks to the incredible partners and sponsors who donated money, goods, and time to make the event one of a kind for Tenderloin families: Koret Foundation KPMG Visa Royal Auto Group of San Francisco Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Brenda's French Soul Food Britex Fabrics Earl's Organic Produce The Golden State Valkyries Gus's Community Market Per Sia Presidio Hills School San Francisco Fire Department San Francisco-Marin Food Bank San Francisco Recreation & Parks San Francisco Police Department S&L Wholesale Produce Tony's Pizza Napoletana

Support families in crisis. Give to Compass Family Services and make a real difference for those facing homelessness in San Francisco. GIVE TODAY Help create a safe and stable future for families in San Francisco. Compass Family Services helps families in San Francisco break the cycle of homelessness for good. Your gift fuels the essentials that make lasting stability possible: housing support, childcare, mental health care, and career pathways; so parents can build income and children can grow up with security and hope. Families come to Compass at the hardest moment in their lives; your donation is the turning point that keeps them housed and moves them forward. Prefer to donate another way? A Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA is a great tax-advantaged way to make an impact. Please reach out to your IRA manager to make a charitable gift. Recommend a gift through your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) directly to Compass Family Services. Donating stock/appreciated securities may provide tax advantages while making a lasting difference for families. Donate Stock Contact Sarah Meike , Director of Development, for support in making your donation. Contact Sarah

Compass Family Services helps homeless families and those at imminent risk to achieve housing stability, economic self-sufficiency, and well-being. 1/6 Last year, we helped over 10,000 parents and children find their way home. GET HELP Asset 41homepage 1/7 1/5 OUR MISSION We help homeless families and those at imminent risk to achieve housing stability, economic self-sufficiency, and well-being. How We Work A BIG EMBRACE We wrap our arms around families, offering housing and a full range of other resources needed to build long-term stability. UNDIVIDED ATTENTION Our team works with families one-on-one, providing unique and individualized support for parents and children. ALWAYS LEARNING Compass is committed to creating a tangible impact. Like the families we serve, we set goals and make measurable change. 11,110 parents and children received services last year 92% of families achieve housing stability after completing our programs 48% are children under 18 years old IMPACT GET INVOLVED Compass helps thousands of families facing homelessness each year. But we can’t do it without you. DONATE What's Happening at Compass READ MORE → Key Takeaways from the Innovative Responses to Family Homelessness Panel Earlier this month, Compass Family Services gathered with community members at Manny’s to discuss a question: What becomes possible when public systems and private partners work together to address family homelessness? Speakers Erica Kisch, CEO of Compass, and Shireen McSpadden, Executive Director of San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH), discussed the scale of family homelessness in San Francisco and how innovative solutions to the crisis Claudia Taylor Feb 24 4 min read The Sweet Progression of Cake4Kids and Compass Family Services Roberto turned 1 this August and was able to celebrate his birthday in his new home with his family. He received a cake from Cakes 4 Kids inspired by Roberto's love of carne asada. Compass teams work hard every day to support families, but we also know we can’t do it alone. We partner with other organizations that share our commitment to uplifting the community as a whole. Together, we help ensure that families feel seen, valued, and like they truly belong. So what exactly Ricardo Leiba Nov 19, 2025 2 min read Compass Brings the Halloween Fun to Civic Center This week, children from all over the Tenderloin came to Civic Center to delight in a day of games, treats, entertainment, and lots of pumpkins at the Compass Family Services Halloween Pumpkin Patch for Tenderloin Children! This first ever event was put on with the support of over a dozen organizations that came together to make the day special for often underserved Tenderloin families. The Tenderloin, frequently associated with crime or drug use, is in fact home to the large Claudia Taylor Oct 30, 2025 2 min read The Journey Indoors for One RV Family Carlos, Laura, and their two children sit gathered together in the RV that has been their home for years. After years of living in their RV, Carlos could hardly believe his family’s move indoors was finally in reach. He drove their vehicle to a pop-up RV outreach event in Bayview/Hunter’s Point. The home that kept his family safe for years stalled at a stop light one block away from the event, five minutes before it was scheduled to end. Outreach workers help Carlos complet Megan Rohrer Oct 27, 2025 2 min read 1 2 3 4 5

COMPASS FAMILY SERVICES THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026 The Hibernia 1 Jones Street, San Francisco JOIN US FOR AN EVENING OF PURPOSE AND POSSIBILITY The magic begins with a cocktail hour rich with food, drinks, and engaging activities. Seated dinner and program to follow. Cocktail Attire TICKETS & SPONSORSHIP If you cannot attend, but want to join the magic from afar, you can donate to this year's event! DONATE For questions or additional information, please contact Natalie Morean, Events Manager, at nmorean@compass-sf.org THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! $50,000 JPMorgan Chase Qatalyst Partners $25,000 Steffany and Rob Chisholm Royal Auto Group - Mazda of San Francisco Visa $10,000 Allied World Assurance Company Amazon JoAnn and Jack Bertges Merritt Richmond and Fred Chung Tree Line Capital Partners $5,000 Carolyn and Andrew Chatham Carolyn and Chris Colpitts Dana Corvin and Harris Weinberg Melinda Ellis Evers and Will Evers Kimberly and Jonathan Garfinkel Kaiser Permanente KPMG Okta for Good Anne and Michael Parish Jennifer Schaeffer and John Cummings Janice and Geoff Sears Linsey Thornton Waymo Nicole and Ken Whiting $2,500 Acrisure AR Events Sapna Boze Crankstart Jennifer DaSilva Katie and Nicolas Giometti HeidiSays Jeanne Hormuth Mariposas & El Dorado Restaurants Lauren Thornhill