Compass supports local ballot measures that align with our values and directly affect the children and families we serve. Check out our endorsements for the November 2024 San Francisco ballot below, and don't forget to vote!

For anyone who spends much time at Compass, you’re likely to encounter an enthusiastic woman loved by clients and staff alike. You might see her in the middle of helping a mother get a snack for her hungry children, catching up with the front desk manager at 37 Grove Street, or dropping off donations she’s collected from friends and family—all with a big smile. This warm, ever-moving presence is Bertie Mandelbaum, Compass’ longest-standing employee. When Bertie started at Compass, it wasn’t actually called Compass. She joined Travelers Aid of San Francisco in the late 1970s under a Nixon-era public service work program called CETA, later repealed by the Reagan administration. At that time, Travelers Aid included a drop-in main office on Mason Street, a childcare center at the YMCA Hotel, and a few kiosks at bus stations and the airport. The organization served vulnerable transient populations—immigrants, runaways, and others in need of resources to help them relocate or return home. Bertie began her journey at the childcare center, a small room at the YMCA hotel offering care to 24 children of all ages. She started as a receptionist, then later became the office manager, and eventually a case manager. Bertie loved meeting the people who walked in from all over the world, hearing their stories, and helping them find resources. As Compass evolved to meet the growing needs of homeless families, Bertie’s role naturally expanded. In the early 1990s, Travelers Aid began noticing a shift in the population they served. More and more families were coming to the doors  in need of help—families who were often homeless and needed more than a bus ticket: they needed a place to stay. In response, Travelers Aid opened its first shelter and began the transition to what we now know as Compass Family Services. Bertie relocated to the shelter, where she found new purpose in supporting families in crisis. She loved the work, connecting deeply with the people she served and helping them navigate the complexities of social services, secure jobs, and meet their unique needs. Bertie formed close bonds with young mothers under 25 years old, many of whom had grown up in foster care. She took great joy in helping them find their path. For many, social work can be draining. It’s challenging to see people struggle and not always know how to help. But for Bertie, she has found peace in her work. She takes time to wind down on her commute and finds joy in her clients' successes. When asked if it is troubling to see her clients struggle, she says, “Yeah, but the other part is the zen of this work. My clients—they have the right to have their ups and downs. I read a book called The Zen of Social Work , and it promotes the idea that everyone has their path. I can’t rescue everybody—maybe I shouldn’t—but instead give them the eyes wide open to make good choices.” Today, Bertie works part-time in Compass’ aftercare program. She supports clients who have been stably housed through Compass, helping them focus on maintaining that stability. Remarkably, Bertie still keeps in touch with clients she worked with 35 years ago. Some of them have found their path, like one client who was inspired by Bertie to get a degree in social work and now works for Homeless Prenatal Services. Others are still struggling, and for those clients, Bertie maintains a list of available services to direct them to. For Bertie, the work of helping others find their way is never truly done. As long as she has help to give and people who want support, she’s there to support them in whatever way she can. Bertie’s decades of service remind us of the power one person can have in shaping a community and offering hope to those in need. As Compass continues to evolve, Bertie’s lasting impact is felt throughout our programs. If you’re ever at Compass, you’re likely to witness that impact firsthand—and perhaps even be inspired to follow in her footsteps, helping others find their way.

This past Friday, Mayor Breed proposed  a citywide ban on overnight parking by RVs. The proposed legislation would make overnight parking on any San Francisco street a towable offense between midnight and 6 AM, but “only if an offer of shelter, housing, and/or services are rejected.” This ban will only exacerbate San Francisco's family homelessness crisis. The 2024 Point-In-Time (PIT) count, released in August, confirms what many of us on the frontlines of the homelessness crisis have long known: family homelessness in San Francisco is astronomically high and continues to rise. Today, 528 families–801 parents and 751 children–languish on the homeless shelter waitlist with no quick path to housing stability. Almost every shelter bed is full, and every subsidy is exhausted.  According to city data, the RV community in San Francisco constitutes about one-third of the unsheltered population , totaling over 1,400 individuals. Unsheltered homeless families are rarely living in tents and often opt for living in vehicles in order to shelter their children: the PIT count revealed that 90% of unsheltered families are living in vehicles. 29% of families currently living in Compass’ shelter programs experienced vehicular homelessness prior to their shelter stay. The majority of the families living in RVs across the city are newly arrived immigrants and non-English speaking, representing an already vulnerable population. Following Mayor Breed’s call for “ very aggressive sweeps ,” these families face harassment, tickets, and towing . While the city claims that it will offer services before towing, the reality of limited resources means that needlessly displacing people living in RVs, who already have existing shelter, will place further strain on nonprofit providers and shelter waitlists. The city has created a zero-sum game: even if the city sets aside shelter beds for people living in RVs, it would only make it harder for the hundreds of people already on the waitlist to get off the waitlist and into shelter. Anecdotally, it is also clear that not every family living in their RVs are offered connection to services before punitive citations and tows. Numerous families have reported falling through the cracks in the city’s outreach efforts, which have been inconsistent and inaccessible to many of them. One mother lived in an RV in the Bayview with her newborn son, who was born with a heart condition and required surgery. After the surgery, the hospital did not want to release the baby until she was housed. Her case was referred to the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, who sent over outreach workers that offered her shelter. Although she had said yes to the shelter offer, she was never connected; communication dropped off. It was not until the mother was referred to another service provider outside of the city’s purview that she was able to get into housing and be reunited with her baby.  Where efforts were made, they have not been comprehensive. More than 50 families were living in their RVs on Zoo Road in the first week of August. While 13 families have been supported in moving into housing, 37 families have not been supported in finding long-term solutions and now face being towed. While more affordable housing is a clear solution for this crisis, an immediately viable solution is a safe parking site. Three years ago, Mayor Breed and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing committed to providing safe parking to the families living in their vehicles on Winston Drive; time and again, they have failed to deliver on that promise . While there is one safe parking site in San Francisco for people living in RVs, it is at capacity.  On October 1st at 12 PM, Compass and the End Poverty Tows Coalition will hold a rally followed by public comment at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency hearing to oppose Mayor Breed’s harmful, short-sighted ban. Join us to stand up for those in our community who rely on their RVs for shelter, work, and transportation. For more information or to join the End Poverty Tows Coalition (community members welcome), contact Compass’ Policy and Organizing Manager, Alisha Zhao, at azhao@compass-sf.org .

San Francisco’s 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) count recognized a startling 97.6% increase in families experiencing unsheltered homelessness since 2022. This radical change was largely thanks to methodological changes such as the addition of Compass staff texting clients and informing them of the PIT count’s follow-up telephone survey.   Still, a few hundred families missed the opportunity to confirm or deny whether they were experiencing unsheltered homelessness that night because they did not respond to the call,  and some who did respond were hesitant to disclose critical data. Because the PIT count is such a publicly accessible, widely-cited metric of homelessness, an inaccurate count of unsheltered homeless families can have serious consequences. Higher numbers shown by this year’s PIT count pressured policymakers to address the urgency of family homelessness through the Safer Families Plan. Although this growing need has been recognized for years by anecdotal experience of direct service providers and non-PIT count administrative data collected by local family-serving systems, the Plan was only announced a day before preliminary PIT count results were released. So, why does San Francisco struggle to count families accurately for the PIT count? What can be done to address this issue? I had the privilege of partnering with Compass’s policy team on a new white paper that helps to provide some answers. Why are Homeless Families Hidden? Families experiencing homelessness tend to fall into categories of “hidden homelessness” because homeless families are less likely than single adults to be unsheltered or living on the streets [1]. Many low income San Francisco families seek to stay close to their own communities and informal support networks despite rising housing costs, so they may be temporarily housed or doubled-up in studio or one-bedroom apartments with relatives. In addition, raising children away from public spaces reduces exposure to encampment sweeps, unsanitary sidewalks, open-air drug use, and violence [2][3],  For these reasons and others, many families experiencing homelessness are left out of the PIT count because they live in conditions that do not reflect “unsheltered homelessness” by PIT count standards; or, they are meant to be included, but are not easily identified, such as families living in cars or recreational vehicles (RVs).  Furthermore, misinformation and mistrust may keep families from participating in the count. Some families involved in the homeless response system are also involved with the child welfare system. Fear of losing custody of children can make it difficult for families to engage with and trust outreach workers. Families who are homeless, especially Black, Indigenous, and other BIPOC families, may fear engaging with the child welfare system, which historically intervenes at disproportionately high rates in Black and Latinx communities [4]. Similarly, undocumented families may hesitate to engage with outreach workers due to language barriers, fear, trauma, or misinformation about the public charge rule which ended in 2022 [5]. During my internship with the Public Policy and External Affairs team at Compass, I had the opportunity to support the End Poverty Tows Coalition in their advocacy for RV residents displaced by parking restrictions from street paving on Winston Boulevard.   The families, many of whom are newly arrived immigrants, were forced to leave on short notice without guarantee of shelter, a safe parking site, or long-term housing. Many were not offered support from DHSH because they were unable to be present for DHSH’s limited outreach; those who were offered support heard mixed messages about the type of housing subsidy they would receive. By observing the stress that arose from these complicated interactions between the City, service providers, and families, I witnessed firsthand the importance of informed, consistent outreach that prioritizes clear communication in the language and vocabulary of the clients. Those who are overlooked by the PIT count tend to be those who hide away for the safety of their children [6]. Homelessness service providers agree that the number of families they serve has increased in recent years due to an increase in migrant families and families no longer receiving COVID-era benefits. Because BIPOC individuals and newcomers make up a large proportion of San Francisco’s growing population of families experiencing homelessness, service providers and PIT count administrators must acknowledge the needs of individuals with multiple marginalized identities to execute effective outreach. Recommendations for improving unsheltered family engagement in the PIT count: Build trust with families prior to the count by leveraging partnerships with service providers who already have long standing relationships with the people.  Elevate the power of personal networks within tight-knit communities of families living in RVs and cars. Extend the period of education and communication prior to outreach so that case managers can inform their clients, providers can host workshops, families can prepare, and information can be shared within communities. Diversify volunteer teams to feature at least one guide who identifies with each marginalized identity of the target population. Strategically deploy volunteer teams across neighborhoods based on the identities of the target population. Sharing the same language, race, nationality, gender, or age with a volunteer can promote understanding and cooperation amongst those being counted. Other cities have seen success in pairing a surveyor team with an individual who has current or past experience of homelessness [7]. A guide with this experience can provide real-time expertise on where people may reside, show volunteers how to engage in a safe manner, and build credibility for claims of privacy and confidentiality.  Revise outreach to explicitly communicate who has access to data and how it is used for the families’ benefit.  This year, Compass Family Services texted clients about the phone survey and mentioned that the survey was anonymous and confidential. To alleviate the stress of engaging with a hostile system, DHSH administrators may consider emphasizing the confidentiality of the information as it pertains to undocumented families or other marginalized groups. Clarify safe, respectful, and non-invasive instructions that all volunteers and Access Point providers implement consistently. Train volunteers to abide by objective counting metrics where possible to ensure data is gathered consistently across the city and across subgroups of the homeless population. Standardize the language within text and spoken communication across providers.  A Step Towards Ending Family Homelessness The crisis of family homelessness in San Francisco is a complex issue that demands innovative and compassionate solutions informed by the lived experiences of families themselves. While the recent increase in reported family homelessness due to improved methodology is a step towards acknowledging the problem, the true scale of the crisis is still hidden from the public eye. To improve upon this year’s methodological changes for future PIT counts, DHSH and policymakers must design equity into the counting processes and deepen partnerships with service providers and members of the community. By making changes such as investing in trust-building communication, diversifying outreach teams, and emphasizing data privacy, we can begin to dismantle the barriers that prevent families from being seen. But the PIT count is just one tool to push San Francisco towards the changes it must make to end family homelessness. It is time to move beyond merely counting the homeless and towards creating a city where all families have the opportunity to thrive. Increased investment in social services for families can be demonstrated through the City’s administration of subsidies from the Safer Families Plan or prioritization of prevention interventions that keep families from falling into homelessness in the first place. As DHSH and other city department administrators continue to iterate on PIT count methodology for families, the Mayor, City Supervisors, and other policy makers must prepare to address the larger and more complex truths about family homelessness that more comprehensive and transparent data will reflect.  About Erin Erin Su is a senior at Stanford University from Cupertino, CA who completed a summer internship with Compass’s Public Policy and External Affairs team. She studies public health and urban planning as a human biology major and plans to pursue a career in city planning, land use, or environmental law.  Citations Compass Family Services. (2023). “Homelessness FAQ.” Compass Family Services , Compass SF. Evans, C. (2024). “San Franciscans awaken to the cruelty—and futility— of homeless sweeps.” The San Francisco Standard.  Har, J. (2024). “Terrified residents of San Francisco’s Tenderloin district sue for streets free of drugs, tents.” Associated Press News. California Child Welfare Co-Investment Partnership. (2018). Housing Insecurity and Child Welfare. In sights, Volume XV.  San Francisco Immigrant Support. “Public Charge.” City and County of San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs. Alvarado, M. (2024). “SF Homeless Shelters Struggle to Accommodate Migrant Families.” San Francisco Public Press.  Bergmann et al. (2021). Strategies to Improve Point-In-Time (PIT) Counts of Unsheltered Homelessness: An Evaluation of Hennepin County’s Current Approach and Summary of Lessons Learned from Other Communities. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota.

Last week, Family Advisory Committee alumni and professional chef, Jennifer Johnson, led a ‘How to Make the Most of Your Food Bag’ workshop to teach parents how to use classic ingredients from the food bags they receive at Compass to cook healthy meals at home. More than a dozen Compass parents attended, with the workshop facilitated in English and Spanish, and each parent was greeted with prepared print outs of recipes and a grocery list. Families can often struggle to create delicious and nutritious meals with the items provided in their grocery bags, because they are not personally selecting the items. While Compass works hard to provide culturally appropriate and well-balanced bags, some families may find certain items unfamiliar. Additionally, given the stress of navigating homelessness, families often lack the time and capacity to prepare complex meals. Donning a chef’s hat and coat and seated at a table spread with various ingredients and supplies, Jennifer taught the group how to use food bag ingredients to create a quick and easy jambalaya dish, which included teaching parents how to cut onions and prepare key ingredients. After walking everyone through the recipe, Jennifer brought out a large and delicious pan of jambalaya that she had cooked earlier that morning for everyone to enjoy.  Jennifer also presented her list of 21 grocery essentials to the group and walked through how to incorporate the essentials into different dishes and recipes. The group had many questions for Jennifer, but she also spent time asking everyone what were their favorite recipes to cook at home, and what grocery essentials they think should be included in food bags. Parents went around the room and excitedly shared with the group some of their favorite dishes and ingredients that represent their own unique upbringings and cultures. At the end of the workshop, each parent received a food bag to be able to bring what they learned home and try some of Jennifer’s recipes on their own. Jennifer’s cooking class is one of two summer opportunities organized for this year’s Family Advisory Committee cohort, which wrapped up its activities in June. The opportunities are part of an effort to continue to engage the cohort in meaningful ways. While Compass staff facilitated planning meetings with Jennifer, she took the lead on planning the class itself. We’re thankful to Jennifer for sharing her knowledge and talent with other Compass parents, and for reminding us that food is central to building and nurturing community. Check out Jennifer’s jambalaya recipe below! Cajun Jambalaya Jambalaya is a savory rice dish of mixed origins that developed in Louisiana with African, Spanish, and French influences, consisting mainly of meat or seafood (or both), and vegetables mixed with rice and spices. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon oil 1 onion, chopped  1 green bell pepper, chopped  1⁄2 cup chopped celery 3 garlic cloves, minced (paste also works) 2 cups  water 1  diced tomatoes, undrained  1/2 can tomato sauce 1⁄2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning 1 tablespoon creole seasoning  1 cup uncooked long grain rice 2 cups of vegetable stock  Instructions: Step 1:  Sauté the onion, bell pepper, celery, onion and garlic using 1 tablespoon of oil until soft. Step 2: Add in the uncooked rice, chicken or vegetable stock, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce Cajun/Creole seasoning and Italian seasoning. Give everything a good stir. Step 3:  Then cook for 30 -45 minutes, being sure to stir the mixture every 5 minutes or so (to prevent burning) until the rice is tender. Step 4: Lastly add browned protein  And cook for a final 8 minutes or so, until the shrimp is pink and opaque. Add the chicken and sausage back in. (These items are are brown by previously cooking for 8 minutes with 1 tablespoon of oil) Jennifer’s 21 Grocery Essentials - always keep on hand These items can all be cooked using a variation of techniques and flavors and pair well with multiple dishes throughout the day. With these key ingredients you can always make a delicious dish.  Meat / Seafood  Chicken (good source of protein) A Ground Turkey (healthy alternative to red meat, lean protein, full of b vitamins)  Salmon (rich in Omega 3 supports heart health)  Shrimp (high in protein, low in calories) Starches  Rice (It's low in fiber, fat, and calories, and can be paired with fiber-rich foods to boost a meal's nutritional profile) Buttertop Bread (Dammit it tastes good!) Potatoes (Rich in vitamin C)  Pasta noodles (Carbohydrates like pasta provide glucose, the crucial fuel for your brain and muscles)  Vegetables  Spinach (anti inflammatory, full of vitamins A, K and good source of iron)  Mushroom (low calorie source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants) Yellow Onion (superfood)  Green Bell Pepper (high in iron)  Diced tomatoes  Dairy and Eggs Eggs (no they aren’t dairy) Unsalted Butter (because you’ll always be seasoning your food anyway) Heavy Cream (multitude of uses)  Cheese (The Best Dietary Source for Calcium) Fruit Strawberries (rich in nutrients) Grains  Oatmeal (excellent source of fiber) Pantry Olive Oil (Boost Heart Health)  Chicken Stock (rich with essential fatty acids and protein)

Every year, thousands of children in California confront the brutal reality of homelessness, a situation that can profoundly affect their development and future prospects. In 2024, the Point-in-Time count identified at least 2,493 youth experiencing homelessness in San Francisco alone. The consequences of homelessness on children can be both immediate and long-lasting, affecting their day-to-day lives and shaping their futures well into adulthood. The impacts can be particularly severe for young children, especially those under five, who are in the critical stages of developing essential cognitive and social-emotional skills. Homelessness is correlated with an increased risk of developmental delays, illness, and emotional and behavioral challenges in young children.  Thoughtful early intervention is needed to create safe and stable environments where these vulnerable children can receive the support they need to thrive and prepare for life’s challenges. Barriers to Early Childhood Education for Homeless Families Beyond helping families find housing to provide a more stable environment for their children, it is critical during these fundamental early childhood years that children who experience homelessness receive high-quality childcare and education so they do not fall further behind their peers. Quality childhood education programs can improve outcomes by reducing the achievement gap and positioning children to be ready to enter school, learn, and succeed. However, accessing appropriate services to assess and address the unique needs of children, especially those with developmental delays or special needs, is often incredibly challenging and cost-prohibitive for homeless and at-risk families. Limited transportation options for appointments, time off work to take children to appointments or to meet with childcare providers, no consistent mailing address, a lack of access to internet and email, language barriers, and more, all cause additional challenges for homeless children and their parents looking to secure early childhood care and education. Solutions and the Role of Compass Children’s Center Compass Children’s Center (CCC) provides critical solutions to some of these barriers. Located in the heart of the Tenderloin, where many homeless or at-risk families reside, CCC has developed a holistic approach to early education, collaborating with school districts, therapists, and a dedicated on-site speech language pathologist to identify and address the unique needs of each child. CCC has invested in spaces like the gross-motor-skills playroom and outdoor, rooftop playground to help give the children a safe space to learn, grow, and achieve important developmental milestones. Additionally, we provide therapeutic shadowing through our Compass Behavioral Health Services program to support any student who is having significant behavioral challenges to help them learn more productive behaviors. Currently, approximately 40% of CCC students have special needs. This is an alarmingly high number and shows the level of support needed to help these children be kindergarten ready upon graduation. In addition to our Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist, we are currently hiring for a dedicated Special Educator and are working on a plan to add an Occupational Therapist in order to provide our kids with the full spectrum of support that they truly need.  While programs like CCC offer valuable support, comprehensive efforts are needed to tackle the root causes of homelessness and ensure access to high-quality early childhood education for all homeless families.  Learn more about CCC and their new speech-language services in our FY 2022-2023 Annual Report.

As a numbers & data person, it drives me crazy that there isn’t an agreed upon way to quantify the number of homeless families in San Francisco. It is more difficult to see and count homeless families  than homeless adults; families remain out of sight for their safety, and are less often visibly unsheltered. Meanwhile, many city departments maintain different definitions of homelessness; a family the school district considers homeless may not be homeless according to the city shelter system. To address a problem like the housing crisis that has dire implications for children and families, we need to honestly measure the scope of the problem; and collectively refer to the same number. Yet, everywhere I look, the numbers are opaque, conflicting and incomplete. (For more in-depth information on issues with counting, check out this report  that Compass Family Services worked on in coalition with a group of other local providers.) In May, the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) released preliminary findings from the biannual Point in Time (PIT) count, which aims to provide a snapshot of unsheltered homelessness in the city. The 2024 San Francisco PIT count revealed a staggering 94% increase in homeless families since 2022 (437 this year vs. 205 in 2022).  The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considers the PIT count the most accurate reflection of unsheltered homelessness.So , does the recent family PIT increase get us closer to a real count? It's true that the figure is more aligned with what I see at Compass every day: a lobby full of families with nowhere to sleep that night. But is it a sign that we’ve fixed our data problem? Well, yes and no.  Historically, the biannual family PIT count has mostly been a census of how many families are staying in shelters (87% of families captured in the 2022 PIT count were in shelters). Because unsheltered families often try to stay out of sight for the protection of their children, they aren’t visible when volunteers do the visual part of the count, looking for people on the street. When the counters look at vehicles and tents at night, they assume there is just one person in each, even if there are more. Thus, the count of family street homelessness is virtually non-existent, despite the on average 300+ families waiting for shelter every night (511 as of July 26, 2024).  So what changed in 2024? Compass and Catholic Charities partnered with HSH to call through the lists of families on the various shelter and housing waiting lists the night of the street count to ask if they were homeless that night. If they picked up their phone and confirmed that they were unsheltered that night, they were counted. That's why we see the increase - because we tried harder to count people .  Don’t get me wrong, family homelessness is increasing;  the higher 2024 count is not solely due to the improved methodology. Outside of the PIT, there is other administrative data that could help us see the full picture. The closest true measurement is the number of families that are assessed for homeless services. It is an exact total of the number of families verified as homeless within San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing’s own database(See that number, here .).  But this number is rarely invoked by policy makers or journalists. I look at this number regularly and there are over 1,650 families so far this fiscal year that have been identified as unsheltered, a 34% increase from last fiscal year, and a much bigger increase than the 143 unsheltered families in this year’s improved PIT count. For better or worse, the PIT total directly correlates to the amount of federal funding San Francisco’s homeless response system receives to provide services. As long as this is the case, we will have to get creative on how to accurately count people on that one night every two years. HSH and homeless service providers must work together to publicize the count and encourage families to be counted. How often do you pick up your phone when you see an unknown number? I’d guess not very often. The same is true for unsheltered families. We know that a few hundred families did not pick up their phone and were not given the opportunity to confirm or deny whether they were homeless that night. Think about the attention and resources that the Census puts into outreaching to ‘hard to reach’ populations in the year leading up to the count. They care because money is attached to those numbers.The same is true for the PIT count. The implications are local, too: when Mayor Breed saw the dramatic increase,  and the advocacy around addressing the needs of homeless families, she moved to increase investment into the family system via the unprecedented  Safer Families Plan .  So let’s count better. Let’s resource the PIT to truly count the number of families with no safe place to live. Let’s uplift the assessment numbers to track homelessness in an ongoing way. Most crucially, let’s acknowledge the true scale of unmet need so we can resource honest, effective solutions.

Last month, the Compass Family Advisory Committee's inaugural cohort wrapped up their six-month journey with a celebratory gathering. Families came together to reflect on their shared experiences, celebrate their achievements, and look forward to the future. About the Family Advisory Committee Compass, dedicated to supporting families in need, established the Family Advisory Committee to empower its clients through advocacy and community building. The committee's mission is to equip members with the skills and knowledge to effectively advocate for themselves and others, fostering a supportive network in the process. Journey of Growth and Learning Over the past six months, the eight dedicated members met weekly to engage in a series of workshops and discussions. They learned about the inner workings of Compass, developed critical advocacy skills, and found solidarity in their shared experiences. Key activities included: Advocacy Training: Members participated in workshops on effective communication, policy analysis, and public speaking. Community Building: Weekly meetings provided a safe space for sharing personal stories and building a sense of community. Compass Learning: Members spoke with directors at Compass, learned about different programs and services, and provided feedback. Impact and Achievements The committee's efforts culminated in several significant outcomes: Advocacy Day Success: Members engaged with city supervisors and showcased their ability to drive policy discussions, highlighting their commitment and influence on a citywide level. Feedback for Improvement: Members provided Compass with actionable feedback on enhancing internal systems, directly contributing to improved service experiences for families. Media and Social Media Presence: Members shared their stories with the media and on Compass's social media channels, raising awareness and inspiring others. Reflections from the Final Meeting At the final meeting, members shared what they took from the experience: “The positivity that has come with working towards an end goal has made me feel empowered walking out these doors. I found another family here. This has been a really good phase in my life because I felt very secure here and felt I could learn. My kids pushed me to do this, so I could provide a better future for them.” - Mirian “These types of situations can be very isolating, not knowing how I’ve ended up being in the situation I’ve been in. And being in this space and hearing similar stories has been really helpful in developing a sense of connection and removing the isolation.” - Jennifer “It’s beautiful to know that you’re not alone. I realized that it’s not just me. Your stories have really helped me. It’s clear that Compass is really concerned with its clients’ opinions.” - Leslie Looking Ahead The Family Advisory Committee will take a break for now with a new cohort convening in the winter. Members from the first cohort will continue working with Compass, helping to mentor the next cohort and advocate for the community. Compass is committed to empowering families and ensuring their voices are heard. If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more about our initiatives, please reach out to us at info@compass-sf.org .

Joana, her mother Marisol, and her sister Vivian lived at Compass Clara House from 2019 to 2021. After years of teamwork and growth, they were able to find stable housing. Read about their journey to find a safe and stable home. Joana: My name is Joana, and I was born in Mexico. I've been living in San Francisco since I was 5 years old. Growing up, it was just me, my mom and my younger sister. We moved a lot, and the three of us always shared a bed due to the lack of space. When I was a teenager, my mom had a severe infection on her back that required surgery, leaving her unable to work. Because she is undocumented, she couldn’t apply for unemployment benefits and used up all her savings while she was recovering. We couldn’t pay the rent and eventually received an eviction notice. We ended up sleeping in various family shelters, our car, and even in hotels. I would wake up early to go to school and we’d shower at the gym. My mom always went to Compass Family Services to apply for housing. After two years on a waitlist, we got a call from Compass Clara House, and our lives changed. At Clara House, we each set goals and worked hard to achieve them. They provided after-school care for kids and helped my sister with her homework. They assisted me with applying to community college and covered some of the school expenses. They also offered my mom job training, helping her improve her skills. During the pandemic, my mom took Special Education workshops to better support my sister Vivian, who has autism. She also volunteered at an agency called Support for Families, running a virtual support group in Spanish. Clara House required us to maintain a monthly calendar and apply for housing regularly to ensure our stay was temporary. They trained us on navigating the DAHLIA San Francisco housing portal and other websites for housing applications, providing the support we needed every step of the way. My mom and I became stronger as a family unit and I feel extremely blessed to have been able to overcome this together. I earned my Associate's degree and then transferred to SF State to get my Bachelor's in Sociology. Now, I work as an Outreach Specialist, collaborating with Community-Based Organizations and families in San Francisco. Having been on the other side, I truly relate to the families I help, and I understand their struggles. I'm extremely grateful for Compass and the incredible passion and services they offer to families fighting to survive. Thanks to Clara House, we were able to turn our lives around and move towards a stable future. Marisol: During all those months at Clara House, my daughters and I learned good daily habits and we also participated in many events. My favorite were the Christmas events, because it allowed me to cherish my daughters and give them a stable place during the holidays. We were supported with food, clothes, and gift cards. But more than anything it was the support from the Compass staff, Jane and Barbara, who were always available from early morning Monday to late night Sunday, that made the difference. The building also had security personnel, making it feel like  a safe place for us.  When we came to Clara House, we had our dog, Juliette, with us. I couldn’t abandon her, she was my emotional support dog and also a part of our family. We were thrilled that Compass was able to accommodate and let us bring her. Juliette recently passed away, in September 2023. Thanks to Clara House, Juliette was also able to have emotional stability and a stable home.  Fortunately, by applying so many times in the housing portal, we won a housing lottery and moved into a stable place.  I am very grateful for having been in transitional housing. Without the time at Clara House, more than anything, I would not have been able to achieve all the learning I did in the education workshops. I was able to take workshops and take care of my daughters in a way I had not been able to do before.  Now I work for the Support for Families of Children with Disabilities Agency as a Family Resource Specialist. I am very grateful for having been at Clara House, and I hope my experience serves other families. Clara House really supports and helps families, they help unite families and help families focus on and achieve their goals so that when one leaves, they can continue stronger outside. Vivian: My favorite memory at Clara House was going out with the other children to the beach house and having a place to sleep without having to wake up early. I have good memories there and I am happy that they helped us find a home.

Last week, Compass took part in the city-wide celebration of the Week of the Young Child. 58 families (over 180 people) came together for a day of enriching activities as part of the movement to shine a light on the importance of early childhood education. At Compass, families learned and played together while establishing skills that the whole family can employ to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Families learned about food preservation and protective factors, made instruments, took family photos, and built community with other families!  What is Week of the Young Child? Week of the Young Child (WOYC) is an annual celebration of early childhood education, enrichment, and development, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). WOYC was started over 50 years ago to call attention to the importance of early childhood development—specifically development in the first 5 years—in a child’s life. In these first five years, a child’s brain develops more than during any other period of life, making it an incredibly important time for the people who raise, teach, and influence children. WOYC celebrates the programs and services that provide quality education to children during the crucial 0-5 stage of life, and encourages parents, educators, and service providers to focus extra attention on nurturing children’s development during these years. What activities did families take part in? Families explored Compass’ main office, visiting a variety of stations to learn, play, connect, and grow as a family. Here are some of the activities that they took part in: Food Preservation Station:  Families learned about ways that they can preserve their produce, so they can minimize food waste in their household! At this station, parents and children tasted different kinds of dehydrated fruits and learned more about dehydrating, pickling, freezing, and making jam. Now families have a number of activities they can do together to maximize the amount of fruits and vegetables they have in their regular diet! Music Station:  Families had a blast making shakers out of toilet paper rolls, rice, and paper, as well as making paper guitars that they got to decorate to reflect their own personal style. Throughout the room, kids showed off their musical skills with the instruments they made, as well as the brand new slide whistles and recorders that they received. We love to get kids excited about music, as exposing young children to music is an amazing way to help them grow. Studies show that when kids engage with music from an early age, their brain development accelerates, particularly in the areas of language and reading.  Protective Factor Wheel:  Each child got to take a turn spinning the wheel for a chance to win a prize, which included different resources that align with certain protective factors. These factors, about which parents learned more at this station, include parental resilience, social connections, concrete support in times of need, social and emotional competence, and parental knowledge of child development. When these protective factors are present in a child’s life, the risk for negative outcomes in that child’s life decreases. For children whose families face unstable housing—something which is considered a risk factor for the outcomes of a child’s life—the presence of protective factors can help to disrupt cyclical and generational poverty and trauma.  Family Photo Booth: Families got to take professional family portraits! Not only did this station give families the opportunity to have a professional photographer capture them, but it also encouraged the feelings of dignity that we want all families to strive for. Having a professionally shot family portrait gives families something to display–something to be proud of. This instills a sense of pride in families which can empower them to maintain self-sufficiency and promote overall family wellbeing. Food Station:  Families concluded their day at Compass with a healthy lunch and a bag full of groceries that they got to take home. Providing families with a hearty meal and groceries helps combat food insecurity. Young children who grow up in food insecure households struggle to reach their full potential in their social, physical, and cognitive development. While this is a big hurdle to overcome for families who struggle financially, especially as grocery prices rise, Compass takes every chance possible to maximize the amount of healthy food we can provide, so that children and families can thrive. We are proud to have shared so much joy, knowledge, and hope among families of young children. We see more and more organizations pushing towards an equitable future for families and their developing kids, and we take events like WOYC as a signpost that we are on the right path.