Compass for Kids

✨ Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Back to School Brunch and celebrated 10 years of Compass for Kids as an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. Seeing our community come together for the kids we serve meant so much to us. A more detailed look back is coming soon! 💚💙❤️

Couldn’t make it? You can still take home a piece of the celebration! Our exclusive Compass candles, made by Wooden It Be Lovely, art note cards and necklaces featuring artwork created by Compass kids are available to order here:

https://www.compassforkids.org/compass-for-kids-10-year-anniversary-merch/

Watch your email inbox for the full recap!

What a wonderful celebration! 💙

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Back to School Brunch and helped make the day so special. We’ll be sharing more photos, stories, and highlights soon!

Sign up for our e-newsletter so you don’t miss the recap:
https://mailchi.mp/compassforkids.org/newsletter

Club Compass is back! 🎉

Our kids are returning this week, and we’re just getting started! Club Compass combines academic support, social-emotional learning, enrichment activities, caring mentors, and hearty dinners to help kids learn, grow, and build confidence throughout the school year.

Learn more about Club Compass: https://www.compassforkids.org/programs/club-compass/

We are so happy to have Illinois Educators Credit Union back as a sponsor this year! Their continued support helps to make the Compass programs possible. Thank you!

On Friday, we had the privilege of dropping off a check to support Compass for Kids! 💙

This incredible organization works to support underserved students in Springfield Public Schools - District 186 through meaningful after-school and summer programs that help students learn, grow, and thrive.

Can’t make it to our Back to School Brunch? We’ll miss you, but you can still join in the celebration!

Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive a recap of the event and a special opportunity to shop some of our Compass Marketplace goodies afterward.

Sign up now so you don’t miss out: https://mailchi.mp/compassforkids.org/newsletter

Congratulations to Kidzeum of Health and Science on a successful inaugural "For the Kids Awards" event! We were honored to have two of our team members recognized for all the work they do for kids in our community! Congrats to Sarah Oglesby, Chief Operating Officer, and Shelly Kinner, Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator, for this well-deserved recognition!

Oh yum! We are so happy to be chosen for the Donation Creation Flatbread fundraiser! Head over to Engrained Brewing Company and order this special flatbread! Enjoy!!

❤️ NEW DONATION CREATION! ❤️

Eat good. Do good. Support local! 🍕

Our newest Donation Creation Flatbread is here, featuring sausage, pepperoni, fresh basil & a drizzle of hot honey! 🌿🍯

For every Donation Creation Flatbread sold, $1 goes directly to Compass for Kids of Springfield!

"Compass for Kids provides academic and social-emotional support to empower children and families underserved by our community, with a vision that all children in our community experience success and reach their full potential. ❤️"

Come enjoy a delicious flatbread and help us support the kids and families in our community—one flatbread at a time! 🙌

It’s that time of year again! Illinois Times readers are voting for their Springfield favorites, and Compass for Kids is honored to be nominated! 🎉

You can find us under Civic & Community → Nonprofit.

If Compass for Kids has made a difference to you, your family, or our community, we would be grateful for your vote. 💙💚

Vote here: https://www.illinoistimes.com/springfield-bestofspringfield-page/ #//

Thank you for supporting our kids and cheering on our mission!

Thank you Kidzeum of Health and Science for shining the light on all of these amazing people!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the privilege of introducing you to an incredible group of nominees. Educators. Advocates. Mentors. Doctors. Leaders. Neighbors. People who show up for kids in ways big and small, often without ever expecting to be recognized for it.

Tomorrow night, we get to put them in the spotlight.

To every nominee: thank you for what you do, for who you are, and for the difference you make in the lives of children across Central Illinois.

Just ONE more day until we celebrate!

Dr. Aida Adlimoghaddam
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, SIU School of Medicine

Lydia Auble
Student & Youth Volunteer, Lincoln Land Community College

Candice Bacon Jennings
Family & Community Engagement Liaison, Dubois Elementary Springfield Public Schools - District 186

Ashanti Beler, MSN, RN
School Nurse, Jane Addams Elementary School

Melissa Blankestyn
Volunteer Services Coordinator, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum

Dr. Gregory Brandt
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Hematology & Oncology, SIU School of SIU Medicine

Detective Timara Craven
Springfield Police Department

Amanda DeFord
Family and Community Engagement Specialist, Birth to Five Illinois

Katryce Dent
Early Childhood Educator

Ashley Earles
Regional Council Manager, Birth to Five Illinois

Dylan Flowers
Manager of Youth Leadership and Development Programs, Springfield Urban League Inc.

Ashlynn Frey
Education Assistant, Springfield Art Association

Taryn Grant
Founder & Executive Director, Springfield Youth Performance Group

Melissa Hostetter
Science Teacher & Literacy Advocate, Franklin Middle School

Shelly Kinner
Volunteer & Special Events Manager, Compass for Kids

Natalie Mitchell
Behavior Support Systems Strategist, Springfield District 186

Sarah Oglesby
Chief Operating Officer, Compass for Kids

Melissa Fisher Paoni, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Springfield Psychological Center

Ali Peden-Stade
Founder & Executive Director, Journey Like June Foundation

Lucy Schmadeke
Student & Community Leader, Springfield High School

Judge Karen Tharp
Associate Judge, 7th Judicial Circuit

David Wallman
Head Coach, Boys & Girls Cross Country, Springfield Christian School

Amber Walters
Early Childhood & Family Engagement Advocate

Vyvyan Wesley
Assistant Director of Discovery & Success, University of Illinois Springfield