The Compass Center

The Compass Center provides transitional and emergency services to homeless men and women at 16 locations in the Puget Sound region. In the Lutheran tradition of caring through serving, the Compass Center offers unique services and structured programs that promote the dignity of each person and lead individuals from homelessness to independence and healthy community life.

Description:
The Compass Center has served homeless adults since 1920. The agency provides 40 homeless men and 40 homeless women with emergency shelter and case management. At the Compass Cascade Women's Center, 32 women receive transitional housing, mental health and alcohol counseling. At the Pioneer Square Men's Program, 78 men receive similar services. The Compass Center offers hot meals, mail, banking, representative payee and hygiene services for those living on the streets of Seattle. The Compass Center also manages seven transitional houses in area neighborhoods.

History:
Established in 1920 as the Lutheran Compass Mission to aid sailors and loggers who used Seattle as a home base, the Compass Center is now a social service organization providing services to homeless men and women. Since 1941, the Compass Center has owned a six-story building at 77 South Washington Street in Pioneer Square, offering shelter and emergency services to homeless and low-income individuals at that site. The 100 year-old building sustained substantial damage from the February 28th earthquake and on March 1, 2001 was red-tagged and closed. After a major capital campaign, the building was restored and transformed into 23 permanent low-income studio apartments managed by the Compass Center. The new adjacent building at 210 Alaskan Way now houses the Pioneer Square Men's Program, Banking and Mailing services, a Hygiene Center, and Administrative offices.

Contact people:

Kristi Weber, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Cindy Jackson, Development Director, (phone), (email) Kim Sather, Emergency Shelter Manager, (phone), (email) Carol Staggers, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (206) 461-3874

Address:

77 S. Washington St Seattle, WA 98104 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.compasscenter.org

Directions:

From I-5 southbound take the James Street exit. Turn right onto James. Take a Right onto Yesler St and then an immediate left onto First Ave. Turn right onto Jackson Street. Turn right into the parking lane under the Viaduct. It is easiest to look for parking under the Viaduct. The entrance to the Compass Center is at 210 Alaskan Way S., between Main and Washington Streets. From I-90, or I-5 northbound take the Fourth Avenue South exit. The ramp is very long and curves like a “J”. Turn left onto Fourth Avenue. After several traffic lights, bear left and turn left onto Jackson Street. Go all the way down to the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Turn right into the parking lane under the Viaduct.   Nearest Bus Stop: 15, 18, 22, 21, 56--1st and Yesler, 2 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	Yes
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	No
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes

Last updated on March 1, 2010