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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

Finding Confidence at COMPASS

Walking into Dave & Maggie’s Café, David & Margaret's on-campus café and workforce training center, you are greeted with the scent of freshly baked cookies, hot coffee, and one of the world’s most infectious smiles. Michael, a COMPASS Programs participant, has been working in the café for the past three months while adjusting to his new life in La Verne.

When Michael came to COMPASS, he was in search of stability. In the past year, like too many young adults aging out of foster care, Michael had moved five times, was forced to drop out of college classes, and left his family and community behind due to circumstances outside of his control.

Right from the start, COMPASS Programs was different for Michael. Reflecting on his experience, he said the energy at COMPASS was unlike any program he had been in before; it felt comfortable like he was part of a friend group that he could rely on for support.

Once settled into his new apartment, Michael got connected with the COMPASS Training Program (CTP) which assists young adults in education and employment. Having some experience working in retail, Michael and the Education and Employment Specialist decided that Dave & Maggie’s Café would be a good fit for him.

During the two-week training period, Michael worked closely with the café manager, Brian, and the rest of the staff to learn the menu items and get familiar with his new role. Along with regular check-ins with the Education and Employment Specialist, Michael said the support he received in the beginning made adjusting to the program and a new city so much easier.

It wasn’t long before Michael felt he was a part of the team, suggesting new menu items and brainstorming ways improve the café. His confidence was growing – something he attributes to the nurturing environment at COMPASS. He explained that this was the first job where he felt respected as an equal, where his voice could be heard, and people were willing to invest in him. When he suggested to Brian that they should add matcha to the menu, the ingredients and equipment were there the next day!

While CTP internships typically last three months, Michael’s positive attitude and willingness to learn have been such an asset to the café that his hours were extended for a few more weeks. He has continued to work with the Education and Employment Specialist on fine-tuning his resumé and searching for a new position where he can utilize his talents. His ultimate goal is to return to college for a degree in photography, so he can share his love of nature and landscapes with the world.

Michael has learned a lot during his time in the COMPASS Training Program, but his biggest takeaway has been his increased confidence and self-esteem. After a tumultuous year moving from place to place, Michael is hoping to stay put for a while with his newfound community at COMPASS Programs.

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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