COMPASS Youth Collaborative

08/24/2026

There are moments that can change the direction of a young person’s life.

A conversation.
A relationship.
Someone who shows up.
A second chance.
A choice to take a different path.
Most of those moments never make the news.
But they matter.

At COMPASS, we believe that every young person deserves a way forward. Every day, our team works alongside young people to build relationships, create opportunities, and help them navigate the challenges that can change the course of their lives.

This is what prevention looks like.

It isn't always dramatic. Sometimes, it is simply a young person making a different choice because COMPASS was there.

This year, we are inviting you to look at violence prevention differently.

Not through fear.
Not through statistics alone.
But through possibility.

Because when young people find their way, Hartford moves forward.

Over the coming months, we'll share the moments, relationships and possibilities that show what's working in Hartford.

We hope you'll follow along, and find your place in the way forward.

Learn more: https://compassyc.org/

07/22/2026

We are incredibly honored to have represented COMPASS Youth Collaborative at the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention conference, where we proudly accepted the Lifesaving Service Award on behalf of our entire team and the young people we have the privilege of serving.

Over the past few days, we attended powerful sessions, listened to insightful plenaries, and connected with both new and longtime partners & friends from across the country who are committed to building safer, stronger communities.

This recognition belongs to every staff member, partner, and young person who reminds us each day that violence prevention is rooted in relationships, opportunity, and hope. We leave inspired, energized, and even more committed to this work.

Thank you to Giffords for this incredible honor, and to everyone working every day to create communities where every young person has the chance to thrive. 🧡
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06/26/2026

https://giffords.org/stories/champions-for-peace-a-conversation-with-diego-lopez/

In this series, we highlight the invaluable contributions of CVI workers and foster a deeper understanding of this work.

06/26/2026

COMPASS Youth Collaborative held its Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 25, and we were delighted to welcome Greg Jackson, former Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Special Assistant to President Joe Biden, to our panel discussion.

WTNH News Anchor Kathryn Hauser moderated the panel that examined the Community Violence Intervention Model and its role within a community violence intervention ecosystem. Joining Greg on the panel were Commissioner Gary Roberg, Executive Director for the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch’s Court Support Services Division, Sergeant Christopher Masteroianni of the Hartford Police Department, Attorney Trudy Condio, COMPASS CEO Jacquelyn Santiago, COMPASS Team Lead Diego Lopez, and a COMPASS youth.

Thank you to all who attended and made this year's meeting so special. Special thanks to Liberty Bank for sponsoring the morning’s breakfast.
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06/26/2026

Meet COMPASS Education Coordinator. Working with youth reminds Corey that there is always time for growth and that time heals all.

06/24/2026

What a great day celebrating our youth and sharing our work with Gregory Neal Jackson Jr.. ✌🏽 ✌🏽🫶🏽☮️ 🫶🏾

06/24/2026

COMPASS is bursting with pride for the 13 youth enrolled in our program who recently graduated from high school. They persevered through obstacles and overcame challenges; their dedication and hard work paid off.

We can’t wait to see all they accomplish next. 🧡 ✌🏽️ 🎓❤️

06/23/2026

For the past three years, COMPASS Youth Collaborative has received funding from the Connecticut Department of Public Health through its Community Violence Intervention Grant Program. The grant supported COMPASS's Hospital Violence Intervention Program. This morning, during the grant closeout session, our team presented the outcomes of our work.

Over a three-year period, COMPASS’s Hospital Violence Intervention Team supported 125 victims of violence under the age of 25. We met their basic needs, connected them to wound care, arranged transportation to medical appointments, provided mental health support, reconnected them with education, and advocated for them in the workplace.

COMPASS was honored to receive funding from the Department of Public Health. We value their collaboration in building a safer community. 🧡 ✌🏽️

06/19/2026

Meet COMPASS Job Specialist Diamond Jenkins. Diamond believes in our youth and their futures. That's why she does this work.

06/12/2026

Meet COMPASS Director of Data and Digital Systems. We asked Chris why he does this work. His answer was, " Our youth are more than just numbers.