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COMPASS Programs

Permanent Supportive Housing

In 2016, David & Margaret in collaboration with A Community of Friends (ACOF) and Tri-City Mental Health Services, opened a Permanent Supportive Housing program for disabled and/or special needs families.

This housing complex consists of 28 units for disabled and/or special needs individuals and families who need intensive supportive services and are not ready to live on their own without these resources.

These no-cost, on-site supportive services and resources include:

  • Case management
  • Mental health support
  • Life-skills training
  • Vocational training
  • Necessary resources
  • Specialized community events
  • And more

Some residents have their supportive services provided by ACOF and others by Tri-City Mental Health- each tenant is aware of their assigned service provider prior to moving in.


All units and common spaces in the property are managed by EAH Housing which has over 50 years of experience in expanding the range of opportunities for all by developing, managing, and promoting quality affordable housing and diverse communities.  As the management company, EAH enforces the lease to maintain a safe environment for all. This is essential as this affords an opportunity for tenants to learn expectations in a real-world setting, while also having access to a supportive learning environment. EAH is experienced working in supportive housing environments and is able to offer a unique and educational environment for the tenants.

Although each plays a different role, David & Margaret, ACOF, Tri-City, and EAH, along with other community providers, work collaboratively to ensure stability for individuals most at risk of homelessness due to their mental health barriers. This model, therefore, promotes sustainable stable/permanent housing for those otherwise most at risk of eviction and ultimately, homelessness.


To be eligible for these permanent supportive housing units, young adults must meet the following criteria:  

Be between 18-24 years of age;

  • formerly in foster care;
  • at risk of homelessness or chronically homeless; and for identified units
  • diagnosed with a mental health disability
  • Actively enrolled in mental health services
  • Youth from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, or Ventura Counties are all eligible to apply for housing here. 

Apartment homes range in size from 700 to 1,000 sq. ft. The Village Common Center provides 1,500 sq. ft. of space for residents to train, study, learn, socialize, and participate in programs of interest. There is also ample gated parking.

This Apartment complex provides the majority of permanent supportive beds in the San Gabriel Valley for young adults.   


Other Disabled and/or Special Needs Family Housing Resources
For information about permanent supportive housing for people with mental illness on behalf of ACOF click here.

For more info about housing resources for TAY on behalf of the LAHSA, please reach out to:
Youth Moving On (YMO) at (626) 765-6010

For more information about other properties managed by EAH, please reach out by:
Phone: (310) 622-9236 or on their website

COMPASS Programs Supports Youth with a History of Foster Care

In California, AB-12, or Extended Foster Care, allows young adults to stay in the system until age 21 while engaging in transitional services that help to prepare for independent adulthood. For youth who lack supportive connections and financial resources, programs like COMPASS’ Transitional Housing Program can provide the tools and resources necessary to thrive in adulthood.

Brandon joined COMPASS in July of 2021 after aging out of his previous placement. As a requirement of AB-12, youth must be employed, enrolled in school, or actively working towards one of those goals. After struggling to graduate high school given the virtual environment, Brandon chose to obtain employment at Walmart working in the back of the store. While he enjoyed the position, Brandon lacked adequate transportation and had to take three buses to get to work.

After deciding that Walmart was not the right fit, Brandon asked COMPASS’ education and employment specialist for assistance finding a new job. Luckily for Brandon, the COMPASS Training Program works directly with Dave & Maggie’s Center, the on-campus discount store, to provide internships for these young adults to develop retail, warehouse, and customer service skills. Proceeds from the store also help to support the essential services and resources provided by COMPASS Programs.

Since the store is located on campus, Brandon found it much easier to get to work and keep up with case management and workshops at COMPASS. In the five months Brandon has been at the store, he has learned many skills like unloading boxes, organizing products, time management, and how to work with customers. Brandon excelled in his role and has been promoted to a peer coach, training new interns from the COMPASS Training Program.

In addition to the skills he is learning at the store, Brandon attends the COMPASS Training Program workshops weekly. The workshops are hosted by the education and employment specialist and cover topics like making a resume, how to dress appropriately, interview skills, and more that can be used throughout their lives and careers.

On top of the assistance he receives from the COMPASS Training Program, Brandon values the support from his Transitional Social Worker, Frankie. When he came to COMPASS, his old placement had lost his birth certificate and social security card, an unfortunate reality for many young adults in foster care. Working together, Brandon and Frankie were able to apply for replacement documents, which are essential for his future employment and housing.

One of Brandon’s favorite aspects of COMPASS Programs is having access to the Drop-In Center and all the amenities offered there. You can often find Brandon watching movies on the couch with his pet chinchilla, waiting for his laundry to finish using the on-site machine. From resource fairs, to workshops, to holiday parties, Brandon is almost always in attendance making everyone laugh. Brandon is very social and has made several friends within the program with whom he spends time regularly. In the future, Brandon wants to work with people, either as a nurse or a teacher. COMPASS Programs at David & Margaret is so proud of this young man’s accomplishments and will continue to support him on his journey to independent adulthood through case management, educational and employment services, life skills, and social opportunities.  

 

Read the full April 2022 Newsletter 

Our Impact This Year

  • Youth & Families Served

    486

  • Youth Internship Hours

    625

  • Housing Provided

    44

© 2023 David & Margaret Youth and Family Services

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