Last year, when my 16-year-old son said he wanted to go on a summer trip to India with his school, I immediately said, "Absolutely not!" Not only is India very far away - farther than he's ever been from DC or from me - but it's next to Pakistan. And yet, as these things sometimes go, he did end up going to India for five weeks this summer. And he had the time of his life.

            When Compass' Associate Program Manager Georgia asked for a two-month, summer sabbatical to go to Italy, I immediately said, "Of course!" She worked on two farms, toured the country, and learned a lot about olive oil and gelato. She had the time of her life.

            I was consumed while they were both away with reading the blogs from their trips. I lived vicariously with the sights and sounds, the food and drink, the people and the outings. These faraway places became part of my experience as well, and began to define adventure for me.

            And then I had an awakening moment. One of my board members invited her nanny's son on vacation with her family. This 16-year-old boy left Washington, DC for the first time to spend two weeks at a beach in Michigan. With little else to do there, he read books - for pleasure - for the first time in his life. For the first time, he experienced waves, walking on the beach, building sandcastles, watching fireworks. And for the first time, he had conversations about college, financial aid and the choices he would have to make as he neared the end of high school. As they talked, she realized that much of the world that she took for granted wasn't part of his life. Going to college could open up this world for him. On this vacation, he had the time of his life, and with my board member's help, he is poised to set out on the adventure of a lifetime.

            At Compass, we work every year with organizations that bring new opportunities to people who wouldn't otherwise have them. We see high school mentoring and college access programs get kids through high school, then into and successfully out of college. Social service organizations provide new skills to individuals who are out-of-work, and help families needing food and shelter return to self-sufficiency. The arts organizations with whom we work bring dance, theatre and music into the lives of people who otherwise wouldn't experience the joy of the arts. All of these nonprofits are providing exposure and opportunities, so people throughout our community can begin their own adventures.

            Compass volunteers and clients also embark on an adventure when they begin their Compass projects. Often they are venturing into unfamiliar territory as they begin learning about the other's world. Compass clients learn from our volunteers who are leaders in the business community. In return, Compass volunteers come to appreciate the challenges under which nonprofit leaders operate. They also come to understand the lives of people whom they wouldn't otherwise encounter. This understanding of why someone is homeless, or abused, or uneducated - why someone is different from them - happens here, not far from home.

            There are many ways to have the adventure of a lifetime. My son saw elephants and bulls in the streets of India. Georgia met women running farms in Italy, producing cheese, olive oil, honey and wine. The son of my board member's nanny may become the first person in his family to attend college.

            My son's school group went to India with the following motto: "We build too many walls and not enough bridges." It's true here in DC as well. I encourage you to break down walls and build bridges here at home by becoming a Compass volunteer.

            We have just announced our 29 new nonprofit clients for 2012-13 (see the amazing list below). We're currently recruiting Project Leaders and team members to work with these nonprofits. I hope you'll volunteer with Compass this year. You could have the time of your life.

Warm regards,

Suzanne

COMPASS ANNOUNCES 2012-13 CLIENTS

The short descriptions that follow hardly do justice to the work of these amazing nonprofits. For more details about each client and the specific project they have requested, click here: Client List, and join us at Compass' Project Launch on October 3 to meet the clients in person. Keep an eye out for an Evite! 

501cTECH (Washington, D.C.)

www.501ctech.org

501cTECH seeks to build and support the technology capacity of nonprofits by providing affordable technology support and services. Strategic Alignment

ACCOKEEK FOUNDATION(Accokeek, MD)

http://accokeekfoundation.org/

The Accokeek Foundation offers a variety of services and programs dedicated to cultural preservation, education and the environment. Strategic Alignment

ADVENTURE THEATER MTC (Glen Echo, MD)

www.adventuretheater-mtc.org

Adventure Theater MTC is the longest-running theater program for children and families in the metropolitan area. Board Development

AYUDA (Washington, D.C.)

www.ayuda.com

Ayuda works to protect the rights of low-income immigrants by providing legal and social assistance. Board Development

THE BARKER FOUNDATION (Bethesda, MD)

www.barkerfoundation.org

The Barker Foundation serves all members of the adoption circle and anyone else whose life is touched by adoption. Strategic Planning (Year 2)

THE BLACK STUDENT FUND (Washington, D.C.)

www.blackstudentfund.org

The Black Student Fund is dedicated to maintaining access to independent schools for African-American children from low to modest income households. Strategic Planning (Year 2)

CAPACITY BUILDERS COLLABORATIVE (Washington, D.C.)

Several Washington area nonprofits that help build the capacity of other local nonprofits have come together to explore opportunities for collaboration. Strategic Alignment

CARPENTER'S SHELTER (Alexandria, VA)

www.carpentersshelter.org

Carpenter's Shelter provides shelter, education and advocacy for homeless individuals and families seeking stability and independence. Funding Strategy

CHELSEA SCHOOL (Silver Spring, MD)

www.chelseaschool.edu

The Chelsea School works to prepare middle school and high school students diagnosed with language-based learning disabilities for higher education. Strategic Planning (Year 1)

CHILD CENTER AND ADULT SERVICES (Gaithersburg, MD)

www.ccascounseling.org

Child Center and Adult Services works to enrich the lives of individuals and families struggling to find mental health help. Strategic Alignment

DC ACTION FOR CHILDREN (Washington, D.C.)

www.dcactionforchildren.org

DC Action for Children is dedicated to ensuring that all children in the District of Columbia have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Board Development

DANCE EXCHANGE (Takoma Park, MD)

www.danceexchange.org

Dance Exchange is an intergenerational dance lab dedicated to multiple artistic voices. Strategic Planning (Year 2)

DC BAR FOUNDATION (Washington, D.C.)

www.dcbarfoundation.org/

The D.C. Bar Foundation helps organizations that provide affordable civil legal services to low-income individuals in D.C. Strategic Planning (Year 1)

EDUCATION STRENGTHENS FAMILIES PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL (Washington, D.C.)

http://www.maryscenter.org/literacy.html

ESF aims to empower families by providing education for children and parents through a culturally sensitive literacy model, focusing on the immigrant community. Board Development

GOOD SHEPHERD HOUSING (Alexandria, VA)

www.goodhousing.org

Good Shepherd works to reduce homelessness, increase family support and promote self-sufficiency. Strategic Partnerships

GREEN AMERICA (Washington, D.C.)

www.greenamerica.org

Green America supports individuals, businesses and communities to increase green living, strengthen green business practices and grow the green economy. Strategic Planning (Year 1)

HOMESTRETCH (Falls Church, VA)

www.homestretch-inc.org

Homestretch provides housing and support services to homeless families to help them attain self-sufficiency. Strategic Planning (Year 2)

LATINO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Washington, D.C.)

www.ledcmetro.org

LEDC provides services and loans for small businesses, and helps low- to moderate- income residents gain financial independence. Strategic Alignment

THE LEVINE SCHOOL OF MUSIC (Washington, D.C.)

www.levineschool.org

Levine offers a range of music courses to over 3,500 students every year, as well as performances. Strategic Planning (Year 1)

MARY'S CENTER FOR MATERNAL AND CHILD CARE (Washington, D.C.)

www.maryscenter.org

Mary's Center works to save lives, stabilize families, and strengthen communities by providing health and social services to Latino immigrants and other minority groups. Funding Strategy

MARYLAND HALL FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS (Annapolis, MD)

www.mdhallarts.org

As a multi-disciplined arts center, Maryland Hall provides opportunities for community participation in the visual and performing arts. Funding Strategy

NORTHERN VIRGINIA THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAM (Clifton, VA)

www.nvtrp.org

NVTRP is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities, youths-at-risk, and veterans through the sport of horseback riding. Strategic Planning (Year 1)

OAR OF FAIRFAX COUNTY (Fairfax, VA)

www.oarfairfax.org

OAR works to rebuild lives and break the cycle of crime with Opportunities, Alternatives, and Resources for offenders and their families. Board Development

PUBLIC ALLIES (Washington, D.C.)

www.publicallies.org

Public Allies recruits young adults from diverse backgrounds and prepares them for leadership through nonprofit apprenticeships. Strategic Alignment

QUALITY TRUST FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES (Washington, D.C.)

www.dcqualitytrust.org

Quality Trust is a catalyst for change in the lives of people of all ages with developmental disabilities. Board Development

STUDENT SUPPORT CENTER (Washington, D.C.)

www.studentsupportcenter.org

The Student Support Center works at the intersection of school reform and youth development to help D.C. charter schools meet the needs of students. Board Development

UNITED PLANNING ORGANIZATION (Washington, D.C.)

www.upo.org

UPO offers programs to move people from poverty to self-sufficiency, including education, youth programming, and job placement. Strategic Alignment

WASHINGTON BALLET (Washington, D.C.)

www.washingtonballet.org

The Washington Ballet presents classical and contemporary ballet programs, and has an extensive community engagement program. Funding Strategy

WONDERS CHILD CARE (Chevy Chase, MD)

www.wonderschildcare.org

Wonders Child Care is one of the largest nonprofit child care organizations in Montgomery County and the District of Columbia. Strategic Planning (Year 2)

PROJECT LEADER APPLICATIONS DUE SEPTEMBER 12

Compass is seeking MBA graduates from top business schools to lead pro bono consulting projects for the amazing nonprofits listed above. If you want to have a personal impact on the broader community, Compass offers a substantive, intellectual experience addressing the unique challenges facing a particular nonprofit.  

Project Leader applications are available here:

 Project Leader Application 

VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE NOW

Compass has begun accepting applications for team member positions. Applications are available on the Compass website at www.compassdc.org

Preference for volunteers goes to MBA graduates from top business schools, however, Compass also accepts non-MBA volunteers, with preference going to those with consulting or nonprofit experience.

The Washington Post highlighted Compass' pro bono consulting program in Capital Business Section on Monday, September 3.

Read about the Compass client and volunteer experience here: Nonprofits get free MBA professionals

We encourage you to keep up with Compass during the year through our many Social Media networks: 

Facebook

We share pictures, announcements, articles and provide networking opportunities. Make sure to "Like" us! Compass Facebook Page

Twitter

Compass is a tweeter! Stay up to date with news from Compass. Find us on Twitter at Compassprobono.

YouTube

To hear from some of Compass' former clients, check out our Compass YouTube channel.

LinkedIn

If you or your organization have a LinkedIn page, we would love for you to connect with Compass through LinkedIn. We have a Company page called Compass DC.

We also have a Group page for sending messages and networking. Join our group, Compass Volunteer Network.

Blog

Last year, Compass launched a blog. We share testimonials from volunteers, clients, Board Members and share personal stories from our own staff. Check out the Compass blog, give it a read, write a comment if you like, and think about contributing.

"After working for Compass for two years, I was given the incredible opportunity to take two months off to recharge my batteries and to explore two of my greatest passions: traveling and food."

Read more here: Taking Time to Recharge the Batteries