Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Compass
Legal Name (if Different): La Vida Compass Inc.
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 9 Marion Way
City: Gloucester
State: MA
Postal Code: 01930
Main Phone: 978-646-7926
Main Fax:
Organization Website: compasspath.org
Employer ID Number: 85-2897661
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/31/2022
Requested Amount: 10000

Project Title: Compass Year
Project Description:

Compass believes that today’s generation of students (ages 13-18) can change the world, but they’re on the brink of an existential crisis that could cripple their potential. Compass provides wilderness experiences, academic interactions, and service trips to Iceland to inspire creativity and engage their curiosity among participants. Our staff implements a ‘Story-Based Mentoring’ model that empowers students toward self-articulating their identity and calling. The combination of experiential learning and leadership engagement hits the ‘on’ switch of their potential and motivation. Since the summer program began in 2001, Compass has served over 600 students from 35 states and three countries. Compass launched as an independent organization at the start of 2021 which allowed us to broaden our offerings, focusing not only on the flagship summer program but adding a year-round non-residential program and serving non-faith-based communities.

The Compass Year program engages teenagers who are still in middle or high school who are seeking direction to better understand their identity and purpose. Compass partners with local organizations in the Greater Boston area with established relationships among their communities and youth. Inviting mentors from the community to join the youth on their journey, this strengthens the most crucial bonds for mentorship and future success. The organizations the Compass Year partners with are located within communities that are typically low-income and under-resourced, and this program offers these students the opportunity to be engaged with real change happening on a global scale. The students learn that they have value and are able to be leaders and contribute to this change, that their opinions and perspectives are important. Too often these communities are told that their role is to be solely the recipient of charity, and Compass strives to empower these students to go beyond this narrative.

Total Project Budget: 62421

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Committed: The Church Home Society ($15,000); Potential: Theodore Edson Parker Foundation, Eastern Bank, Newburyport Bank Foundation, private donations

Project Duration: One year
Geographical Area Served: Greater Boston Area
Age Group To Be Served: 13- 18 year olds

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms
Contact First Name: Kathryn
Contact Last Name: Entner
Contact Title: Grants Manager
Contact Phone: 978-219-7299
Contact Email: kathryn.entner@compasspath.org