As 2017 comes to a close, we want to say thank you to all of our friends and supporters for a fantastic year.  With the help of donors, dedicated staff, and our treasured 200-plus volunteers, we've served more than 5,000 clients on their journey to safer, healthier, more self-sufficient lives.  And we're not slowing down!

We're kicking off 2018 by launching a Spanish-language art therapy series for survivors of domestic abuse. Our Latinx team of Dulce Castillo and Jailene Nieves-Mercado are working hard to spread the word and get the program off the ground. If you know of folks who might be interested in taking part in the group, contact Jailene at latinxgroups@compassctr.org.

Now that we're celebrating five years as Compass Center, we have responded to feedback from stakeholders and are shifting from our traditional art show fundraiser to a new, mission-centered event that highlights the journeys of our clients. Phoebe Judge, award-winning journalist, co-founder of the popular podcast "Criminal," and WUNC anchor is helping us tell these stories as a special guest speaker at the event. The Compass Center Benefit Luncheon: Empowering Journeys will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, 11:30 am - 1 pm at the Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel. Save the date!

As a reminder, if you are planning on donating to Compass Center this holiday season, there's no time like the present. Visit the Donate section  of our website!

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Cordelia Heaney
Executive Director
Compass Center for Women and Families


Cheers to Five Years!

It's been five years since two outstanding community resources merged to become Compass Center.  In that time, we have served thousands, implemented new programs, and expanded our staff to meet community needs. Let's keep the momentum going!  Donate today to make positive change in our community and help support our self-sufficiency services, adolescent health programs, and domestic violence advocacy services.  If you donate in December, you can still count this as a tax exemption for the 2017! Visit our new donation landing page to give online.


Welcome to Our New Director of Court Advocacy and Community Response
Madison Burke

Madison Burke is a native of Charlotte, NC and a recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, with degrees in piano performance and communication studies.  She was actively involved in interpersonal violence prevention education during her time at UNC and gained experience working in both nonprofit and university settings. After a year spent working in indigenous land rights defense in Mexico City, Mexico, Madison is excited to return to Chapel Hill and serve in her new role as court advocate for Compass Center. Welcome, Madison!
Art of Healing in Spanish
New Spanish-language Art Therapy Group Begins in January

The Art Therapy Institute (ATI) was recently awarded a grant from the Strowd Roses foundation to fund an art therapy group for Latinx survivors of domestic violence. In collaboration with Compass Center, ATI will be providing trauma-informed art therapy services in Spanish in order to promote empowerment, self-expression, identity exploration, peer support, and positive coping skills in a safe, therapeutic space. The group will also provide psycho-education on the effects of domestic violence and trauma on mental health. 

The group will meet on Monday evenings for 10 weeks. For more information or to sign up for a screening, please call the Compass Center at 919-929-7122 and ask to speak with Jailene Nieves-Mercado. The last day to register will be January 12 th, 2018.  


Partner Spotlight
Family Success Alliance Awarded GSK Impact Award!

EmPOWERment Inc.  and Family Success Alliance were recently awarded $40,000 GSK Impact Award for their Zone Navigator Program. Navigators work closely with families in Orange County to connect them to much needed resources such as Compass Center's financial program and crisis services.  Learn more about this fantastic community partner at familysuccessalliance.org!

Save the Date
Help Us Further Our Mission
Holiday Schedule

Board of Directors: 
Jane Sommers-Kelly, Chair; Gillian Hare ,  Vice Chair;  Briggs Wesche , Treasurer;  Halley Kueffer,  Secretary; Amy Blanchard; Ilouise Bradford; Pegi Brady; Betsi Harris;  John Miskey; Patrick Phelan; Liz Skiba; Jeff Spinner-Halev

Henderson Street House Foundation:
Mimi Fountain; Joan Gillings; Margie Haber; Jay Miller; Sara Morgan 
 210 Henderson St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 | 919.968.4610 | www.compassctr.org
For help with domestic violence issues, please call our 24-hour hotline: 919.929.7122