A Message from The Executive Director

Dear Friends,

A new year brings continued growth and renewed purpose at COMPASS. I am excited to share updates about our meaningful work throughout 2025, along with a look ahead to what’s coming in 2026.

Since our founding in 1974, COMPASS has remained one of Massachusetts’ leading providers of special education and human services. For more than five decades, we have been committed to supporting youth and families as they work toward stability, growth, and brighter futures.

Our strong reputation would not be possible without the dedication and compassion of our staff, whose commitment drives our mission forward every day. We are equally grateful for the continued support of our community—our donors, sponsors, grantors, and partners—who believe in our work and help amplify our impact by sharing our story.

Learn more about the following updates below:

• Winter Appeal: Our clients need the most support during this time of year. The John J. Lydon Help Fund is a significant resource for COMPASS families, with 200 requests expected this year for help cover one-time emergency costs of groceries, clothing, transportation, utilities and other urgent needs.
• A New School Year: We have many new staff and wonderful students who are learning new skills and already making significant progress at the COMPASS School.
• East Project Pilot Program: CSEC Services will be formally structured with dedicated staff beginning in Lawrence then expanding to Boston and Worcester.
• Holiday Parties: Salvatore's hosted their annual Christmas Party for our Lawrence families.
• Social Media Engagements: Stay tuned to COMPASS on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn as we share memories, stories, and more.

Tell us your own COMPASS experience so we can share stories and information about the work we do.

• Share Your Story: We would love to hear from you or your organization, sharing your stories and memories about COMPASS.
• Partner: Join us throughout the year on various projects and initiatives. Your time and dedication will help us continue making a positive impact on the lives of our youth and families.
• Stay Connected: Make sure to stay connected with COMPASS through our social media channels and look for updates on events and opportunities to get involved.

Thank you again to all you do for COMPASS - whether you're local to one of our service areas and spreading the good word about us in the community, or you've helped organize a donation drive for our youth and families - we appreciate everyone who has been a part of the COMPASS journey. Cheers to 52 years!

Laura Lajewski, Ph.D.

Executive Director

Community Providers of Adolescent Services (COMPASS)

2025 - 2026 Winter Appeal

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Supporting The John J. Lydon Help Fund today allows COMPASS to deliver urgent financial assistance and planning support to families and students facing emergencies during the winter months when heating costs, housing instability and food insecurity all spike at once. 

Every day, COMPASS staff meet youth and families who are doing their best but are one crisis away from losing housing, heat or access to essentials. A gift to The John J. Lydon Help Fund powers the emergency grants and planning support that help families weather the storm and rebuild a more secure, hopeful future.

Each year, more COMPASS families turn to The John J. Lydon Help Fund as emergencies become more frequent and more costly, from rising rents and utility bills to unexpected gaps in income. Your gift helps us keep pace with this growing need so that when a family reaches out for help, a strategic grant is there to provide immediate relief and a pathway back to stability.

Every donation makes a difference!

Visit the links below to view our 2025 - 2026 Winter Appeal:

Letter to Friends and Supporters

Help Fund Bookmark

COMPASS Organization Brochure

2025 - 2026 School Year Updates

We are halfway through the 2025-2026 School Year with both new and familiar faces, including students and many new staff who are joining us. Our BMR (Building, Maintenance and Repair) program remains a student favorite; this year, students designed and built an outdoor library hutch for the community to enjoy and share their love of literature. 

Compass Café has has also started the year strong, with unique menu items that highlight student creativity, culinary skills and diverse cultures. Each week, students plan menus, go grocery shopping and prepare lunch for the entire school on Fridays. 

If you are interested in joining us for lunch or scheduling a tour, please contact Veronica Parsloe, Director of Community Engagement & Development, at (617) 721-89898 or veronica.parsloe@compassboston.org.

Thank you to our Community Partners!

Our holiday events kicked off at Salvatore's, who host the Annual Christmas Party for our Lawrence area families. We are grateful for owners Michael Agricola and Philip Wood who effortlessly create a winter wonderland with a beautiful space, decorations and delicious food. This was a record-breaking year with over 90 youth in attendance - each took turns picking out their gifts from a wide variety of donations provided by Salvatore's, Novia Corporation and COMPASS staff.

All students at the COMPASS School received a gift from Santa. Despite a maintenance emergency at the school, which halted our holiday activities before break, our dedicated staff divided and conquered by delivering gifts to all students located cross Eastern Massachusetts.

For the third year in a row, COMPASS was invited to participate in Debbie's Treasure Chest's Annual Toy Drive. We are honored to be one of only a handful of providers invited and thankful for the opportunity to pick gifts our clients love.

COMPASS STAFF ANNIVERSARIES

In 2026, the following COMPASS staff will celebrate anniversaries:

New Kids on the Block

1 YEAR

Landen Bates | Christopher Blaquiere | Amanda Bostwick | Jesse Browder | Rory Carrara | Caitlyn Dawe | Sara Dunphy | Jessie Ewing | Janessa Fletcher | Cara Giovanoni | Darryl Grant | Victoria Gratke | Jessica Heller | Michelle Henry | Jahvae Handsom-Fields | Dyreke Johnson | Wayne Joachim | Alyssa Jerry | Sonia Miranda | Yamelie Merard | Shaquan Murray | Melanie Norton | Esther Omeler | Edwin Paulino | Veronica Parsloe | Branden Robinson | Florence Russo | Michael Soremekun | Conor Sullivan | Kris Tyler | Samantha Vargas | Emma Weeber

High Five Achievers

5 YEARS

Leah Amil-Pandolfo | Peter Bernard | Carly Bloom | Amy Bulger | Charlie DeLoach | Julianne Fahey | Joelly Gomez | Ashley Greene | Shane Hart | Daryl Loreus | Brian Matheson | Yezenia Pichardo | Saraliz Ramirez | Kareem Saygbe | Aaron Torres | William Watkins | Carla Wilson | Beatrice Zama-Morales

The Decade Dynamos

10 YEARS

Edgar Acosta | Sandrine Andrade | Marlee Brown | Matthew Emerson | Alan James | Melany Moreno | Kevin Pepen | Alexander Pichardo | Carlos Sprouse-Veloz

Guardians of the Culture

15 YEARS

Zacharie Brisson | Denise Monteiro

Titan Team

20 YEARS

Sean Harrison | Joanne Wilkinson

Lasting Legends

30 YEARS

Sharde Berry

COMPASS Champions

35 YEARS

Edmundo Aguero

Thank you for your loyalty to COMPASS as well as the youth and families we serve! You are the reason for our history and growth - we thank you and look forward to celebrating at the staff anniversary ceremony!

MAKE A DONATION TODAY!

Please make checks payable to “COMPASS”

and send to 294 Bowdoin Street, Dorchester, MA 02122.

Click here to make an online donation.

Community Providers of Adolescent Services (COMPASS) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and donations are tax-deductible.

COMPASS Website