Urban Compass

URBAN COMPASS PROVIDES A SAFE, WELCOMING, AND INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT CHALLENGES OUR YOUTH TO ENVISION AND NAVIGATE A COURSE FOR A REWARDING FUTURE CHARACTERIZED BY ACHIEVEMENT, INDEPENDENT THOUGHT, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH EDUCATION, MENTORING, AND PLAY. WE GUIDE YOUTH TOWARD A HOPEFUL FUTURE

URBAN COMPASS PROVIDES SERVICES IN TWO LOS ANGELES COMMUNITIES - WATTS AND PICO UNION. WHILE THESE COMMUNITIES ARE DIFFERENT IN MANY WAYS, BOTH COMMUNITIES ARE PLAGUED BY GANG ACTIVITY, BOTH EXPERIENCE WIDESPREAD ACADEMIC CHALLENGES, AND BOTH ARE EXTREMELY UNDERSERVED BY SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. THESE AREAS ARE STARVED FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF ACADEMIC SUPPORT. THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION REPORTS THAT CHILDREN ARE MOST LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN RISKY BEHAVIORS, SUCH AS VIOLENT CRIME, DURING THE AFTER-SCHOOL HOURS OF 3-7 PM. THE NEEDS OF THESE COMMUNITIES ARE WIDELY ACKNOWLEDGED, YET THE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THESE NEEDS REMAIN SCARCE. THROUGH EARLY INTERVENTION, URBAN COMPASS WORKS TO KEEP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS OUT OF GANGS BY PROVIDING ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND ENRICHMENT IN A SAFE AND SUPERVISED SPACE DURING VULNERABLE AFTER SCHOOL HOURS - PUTTING OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES ON A PATH TO COLLEGE AND A POSITIVE FUTURE. BY ENGAGING CHILDREN DURING THE AFTER SCHOOL HOURS, URBAN COMPASS PROVIDES A POSITIVE DIVERSION DURING THE HOURS WHEN CHILDREN ARE MOST LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN RISKY ACTIVITIES. THIS TIME IS USED TO POSITIVELY IMPACT ACADEMIC PROGRESS, WHICH MOVES CHILDREN FURTHER AWAY FROM A LIFE OF GANG ACTIVITY AND TOWARD A POSITIVE TRAJECTORY OF HOPE. URBAN COMPASS PROVIDES INTENSIVE, LONG-TERM SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN THAT SUBSTANTIALLY INFLUENCES THEIR SCHOOL EXPERIENCE AND THEIR LIFE TRAJECTORY. THE URBAN COMPASS MODEL BEGINS WITH K-5TH GRADERS FROM 112TH STREET SCHOOL & ST THOMAS, WHO RECEIVE DAILY AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING AND ENRICHMENT SERVICES. UPON REACHING MIDDLE SCHOOL, URBAN COMPASS STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND TWICE-MONTHLY SATURDAY SESSIONS WITH URBAN COMPASS COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS AND ULTIMATELY, THEY ARE INVITED TO RETURN AS HIGH SCHOOL TUTORS AND MENTORS. THE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE MODEL INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF SERVICES: ACADEMIC SUPPORT, FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT, ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SPECIAL EVENTS/FIELD TRIPS.