URBAN COMPASS

Established in 2004, Urban Compass (UC) was created to address the negative outcomes and academic challenges experienced by children in South Los Angeles, one of the most economically depressed communities in Los Angeles. A crucial reason for our success is a model built on community partners, including a volunteer workforce of over 200 high school, college and community volunteers, who play a vital role in creating our success-oriented culture and inspiring our kids to envision high school graduation and college success.

UC provides intensive, long-term support for children that substantially influences their school experience and their life trajectory. The core of UC’s model is an after-school enrichment program serving children in K-5th grade at 112th Street Elementary School in Watts and St. Thomas in Pico-Union. Each school day, the elementary students receive daily academic tutoring, homework assistance, and enrichment services. In 2018, Urban Compass proudly launched the College & Career Pathways program focusing on leadership, life skills, college planning, and career exploration for middle school students. Ultimately program participants are invited to return as high school tutors and mentors. Urban Compass is proud to have created a continuum of academic, enrichment and support services that keep children out of gangs and on a path to college, giving youth in these communities every opportunity to succeed.

UC provides services in 2 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 greater Watts area has one of the highest concentrations of gangs within Los Angeles County. LAPD estimates that there are at least 59 known and active gangs in the Southeast Division with major rivalries between the Bloods and the Crips. Similar to Watts, gang activity is rampant in the Pico-Union area. Ten different gangs consider the Pico-Union/Westlake area their “territory”, with the notorious MS13 gang present in this area.

Program components include: Nutrition, Academic Tutoring, Arts and Crafts, Music, Fitness/Sports, Social Development, Summer Camp, STEAM activities, Music, Mentoring/Leadership, Field Trips, Family Engagement, Student Recognition, Middle School Transition, and High School/College Volunteerism.