Compass

🌟 Make a difference for families in need! 🌟

Every family deserves a home that offers comfort and security, a place where children can rest in a warm bed and gather around a table for meals. But for many hardworking families, the cost of essential furniture is simply out of reach, leaving them without the basic comforts that make a house a home.

Your donation can make a profound difference, helping to provide beds, tables, and other necessary items that bring dignity and peace of mind to those who need it most. By supporting this cause, you're not just furnishing a home—you’re helping to build a foundation of stability and hope for a brighter future.

Join us by donating at https://www.compassnebraska.org/beyond-us/give/?form=HOPEINTHEWILDERNESS or send a check to 514 W 11th St., Kearney, NE 68845, and help us make a difference in the lives of these kids.

Join us on August 29th at 7pm for our free, no-pressure VIRTUAL Foster Parent Info Night. Discover how you can become a Compass foster parent, get answers to your questions, and make a difference in a child's life.

RSVP Here to receive the meeting link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FACA828A2F9CE9-50840210-virtual

✨ Exciting News! ✨
This week Pastor Tevin from Hastings Berean Bible Church and their Point Person, Daniel, met their FIRST CarePortal Request! They were able to provide several items to a local family in need!
🙌🏽

There are a few items that this family is still in need of - If you're interested in serving this family and would like to help supply the remaining items needed, please respond to request #189594 on http://CarePortal.org

🎉Join us for Foster Parent Training!🤗

Our training classes are group trainings where we discuss all of the joys, challenges and unforeseen considerations involved in being a foster family.

Our group training classes take place weekly on Tuesday nights from 6-9 pm, for 10 weeks, and are designed to prepare you for this incredibly rewarding experience.

Classes start August 27th at the Compass office! (514 W. 11th St., Kearney, NE)

PLEASE RSVP HERE!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FACA828A2F9CE9-48465236-compass?fbclid=IwY2xjawEo6URleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTezXbaUusk2jRhP7N3bO5npRLev51FSTPR2e9LfIPRGjwiCd5bJdkl8Yw_aem_llzjYtu3hWH-pn2zVRzkEQ

Our new Mobile Produce Pantry schedule will take place on the following dates:
September 27-Kearney, beginning at 9:00 AM
October 25-Holdrege, beginning at 9:30 AM
November 1-Kearney, beginning at 9:00 AM
December 6-Kearney, beginning at 9:00 AM

Our 11th Street Food Pantry schedule will remain unchanged.
Please contact Megan at (308) 865-5683 for any questions.

🌟 Make a difference for families in need! 🌟

Imagine coming home after a long day of work to a house filled with darkness, not just from the absence of light, but from the weight of financial stress. For the many families we serve, this is their reality. Despite working tirelessly to provide for their children, but life challenges have left them unable to keep up with their utility payments, and now their home sits in the dark.

But with your help, we can change that. Your donation can turn the lights back on for this hardworking family, bringing warmth, comfort, and hope back into their lives.

Together, we can brighten their future and show them that they are not alone in this journey.

Join us by donating at https://www.compassnebraska.org/beyond-us/give/?form=HOPEINTHEWILDERNESS or send a check to 514 W 11th St., Kearney, NE 68845, and help us make a difference in the lives of these kids.

A single counseling session can change a life. Imagine a child overcoming anxiety, a parent finding peace, or an individual regaining hope—all because someone like you cared. Your donation helps us provide these essential services to uninsured and underinsured families. Together, we can make a difference. 🌟

Give today by visiting
https://www.compassnebraska.org/beyond-us/give/?form=HOPEINTHEWILDERNESS or mailing a check to 514 W 11th St., Kearney, NE 68845.

🌟 Make a Difference for Kids in Foster Care! 🌟

Our Placement Packs are specially designed bags filled with age and gender-appropriate items that provide comfort and meet the needs of children as they are being placed in foster care. Every donation helps us provide a sense of security and hope to children who need it most. Together, we can ease their fears and show them they are not alone.

Join us by donating at https://www.compassnebraska.org/beyond-us/give/?form=HOPEINTHEWILDERNESS or send a check to 514 W 11th St., Kearney, NE 68845, and help us make a difference in the lives of these kids.

A clean, safe home can be the foundation for a brighter future. Imagine a family finally able to create a healthy environment for their children to thrive in. Your donation could make the difference for a family in need.

Consider giving by visiting
https://www.compassnebraska.org/beyond-us/give/?form=HOPEINTHEWILDERNESS or mailing a check to 514 W 11th St., Kearney, NE 68845.

🎉Join us for Foster Parent Training!🤗

Our training classes are group trainings where we discuss all of the joys, challenges and unforeseen considerations involved in being a foster family.

Our group training classes take place weekly on Tuesday nights from 6-9 pm, for 10 weeks, and are designed to prepare you for this incredibly rewarding experience.

PLEASE RSVP HERE!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FACA828A2F9CE9-48465236-compass?fbclid=IwY2xjawEo6URleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTezXbaUusk2jRhP7N3bO5npRLev51FSTPR2e9LfIPRGjwiCd5bJdkl8Yw_aem_llzjYtu3hWH-pn2zVRzkEQ

Join us at Livin' Out Loud on August 17th in Gothenburg, NE!

Compass is thrilled to host a tent with activities and a chance to win custom corn hole boards🏆🎉 Don't miss out on the fun! See you there!

Want to learn more about CarePortal? Visit

https://www.compassnebraska.org/careportal/ to learn more!

Some tips and guidance if you donate to food pantries derived from feedback by those who use them:

1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food banks.
2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of.
3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.
4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.
5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of.
6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift.
7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.
8. Sugar and flour are treats.
9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores.
10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growng can be easy for some.
11. Protein sources are so helpful and rare.
12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
13. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread.
14. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake. (Sprite is a substitute for oil and eggs.)
15. Dish Soap / Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.
16. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that.
17. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing.

Most people buy what they think food pantry users want, but have never asked them. If you help families, single people, foster youth and the homeless, this list can help better tailor your donations!

Every child deserves a loving home. In Nebraska, over 4,000 children are in the foster care system, with 500 removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect in Compass’ service area alone. Due to a shortage of foster families, these children are often moved far away from their communities.

Compass is on a mission to change this. By 2030, we aim to have 150 licensed foster homes to provide each child with a safe and loving family.

But we can't do it alone.

Help us bring joy and peace to these children's lives by donating today at https://www.compassnebraska.org/beyond-us/give/?form=HOPEINTHEWILDERNESS or sending a check to 514 W 11th St., Kearney, NE 68845.

Are you passionate about empowering families and staff with the tools they need to thrive? We provide educational resources like parenting curriculums, trauma-informed trainings, and life-skill resources to parents and foster parents.

This summer, we provided a three-day Adulting 101 class to youth in foster care, teaching them essential skills such as cooking, meal-prepping, grocery shopping, and budgeting. They also developed resumes, honed interview skills, and discovered employment opportunities available in their community.

Your support can help us continue to offer these critical resources to parents, foster parents, and children who are facing unprecedented challenges. Join us in our mission to support the heroes in our community by donating today at https://www.compassnebraska.org/beyond-us/give/?form=HOPEINTHEWILDERNESS or mailing a check to 514 W 11th St., Kearney, NE 68845.

Compass helps facilitate CarePortal in Buffalo, Hall and Adams County! We do this by recruiting, training and supporting local churches, requesting agencies, and other partner agencies in the CarePortal Network!

Visit https://www.compassnebraska.org/careportal/ to learn more!

Want to learn more about CarePortal? Visit
https://www.compassnebraska.org/careportal/ to learn more!

❤️

Therapist Spotlight - Meet Keesha!

Keesha earned her Bachelor’s in Science in Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She is currently completing her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Keesha has experience working with children, teens, and adults. She’s spent many years providing in-home services to families that need additional support. Keesha has a particular passion for working with those who have complex mental health histories. She has additional training DBT, TBRI, Circle of Security, ADHD treatment, Integrative Attachment Family Therapy, and treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. Keesha is currently accepting new clients.

Call our office to schedule an appointment and ask about availability! 308-237-4085 or mailto:[email protected]

Visit our website to learn more about Compass Counseling!
https://www.compassnebraska.org/counseling/

Foster care, family crisis, and trauma have created a perfect storm of challenges for vulnerable families. Our staff stands ready to help families navigate these hardships and secure a brighter future.

But we still need your help. Your donation could go towards training and licensing a new foster family, allowing them to open up their home to children needing safe, loving homes.

Please consider giving today to support the heroes in our community - parents, foster parents, and children who are overcoming incredible challenges and carrying out an incredible mission.

Together, we can help children and families find their way out of the darkness into marvelous light.

Visit
https://www.compassnebraska.org/beyond-us/give/?form=HOPEINTHEWILDERNESS
or mail checks to 514 W 11th St., Kearney, NE 68845

The 4th Little Free Pantry will be located near our Compass Office!

Question: "Where are the Little Free Pantries?"

Answer: These are the locations that United Way is responsible for, although there are others around town we encourage you to donate to as well.

Stay tuned for information about a 4th Little Free Pantry coming in a much needed area of town!

Join us in championing the journey to hope for parents, foster parents, and children in our community. Your gift today will help us raise the funds needed to support our programs and services, empowering more families to thrive. Every donation counts!

Donate by visiting
https://www.compassnebraska.org/beyond-us/give/?form=HOPEINTHEWILDERNESS
OR, mail checks to 514 W 11th St, Kearney, NE 68845