2007 Compass House Statistical Information

Compass House Emergency Shelter

A total of 353 youths were provided with 3,305 days of shelter, food, and care. In total, 55% were runaways, 28% were homeless, and 16% were throwaway. Average daily population was 9 youth. Average length of stay was 9.42 days. There were a total of 902 calls to the help-line.

Sex:        47%        Female                    Age:       18%        12-13 year olds

               53%        Male                                      31%        14-15 year olds

                                                                          50%        16-17 year olds

Race:           53%        African American

                    30%        White

                      1.5%     Native American/Asian of these 16 % were Hispanic

                      15%      Multi-racial

Placement:         37%   had previously been in residential placement

Residence:          66%   from City of Buffalo

                            18%   from Erie County outside City of Buffalo

                            13%   from outside of Erie County

Outcomes at Exit:

                                 99% of youth went to safe living arrangements, with

                                           61% living with parents or family members

                                           14% living with friends or adult homes

                                           12% placed in residential placement

                                           13% in cuatody of INS

                     Compass House Resource Center                                                         

A total of 222 youths were provided with case management. Between 16-20 youths come to the center daily to meet with their Case Managers or the Independent Living Instructor to access needed services. Seventy-five percent remained active with the program for over a year.

Sex:        57%        Female                    Age:       25%        16 year olds

               43%        Male                                      34%        17 year olds

                                                                          41%        18-20 year olds

Race:      52%        African American

               32%        White

                 6%        Hispanic               

               2.5%       Native American/Asian

               7%        Mixed Heritage

Placement:    56%        had previously been in residential placement

Residence:    78%        from City of Buffalo

                      16%        from Erie County outside City of Buffalo

                        5%        from outside of Erie County

Outcomes at Exit:

                             98% of youth went to safe living arrangements, with

                                         41.5%    entered independent living

                                         37%       living with parents or family members

                                         14%       living with friend                                                

                                           1.5%    were living residential/institutional placement

At termination 38% of the 98% of youth in safe living situations had remained in stable residence for 5 months or longer.  83% of youth had no contact with the legal system during program involvement.

ALL OF OUR SERVICES ARE FREE, VOLUNTARY, AND CONFIDENTIAL

We are the only shelter and service provider in Erie County to provide for both young men and women, twelve through twenty, who find themselves on the streets of Western New York.  Without the preventative services and intervention provided by Compass House, these young people will be left to street survival, be vulnerable to crime, gangs, and involvement in drugs, prostitution, and institutionalization in our correctional and mental health systems.  Our services link at-risk youth with caring adults who can provide the help and support needed to prevent the decline into chronic homelessness.  With our assistance, these youth can step up to life's challenges and become responsible, self-sufficient, and participating community members.  It is up to all of us to provide the tools and resources so that they can hope for the future.