About Us

Mission Statement: To provide positive direction to youth by encouraging the development of personal and community responsibility.

The Compass Project is an experiential program that teaches job training and life skills through boat-building and rowing. Through hands-on programs, participants find new directions in work and in life.

The Compass Project serves youth in Greater Portland schools drawn from a group of 2500 youth identified as at-risk. Since 2002, more than 600 youth from Greater Portland middle and high schools have benefited from Compass Project programs which teachers, school social workers and principals cite for their effectiveness in helping disadvantaged and underserved youth.

"The patience it takes for students to learn to build this boat translates into increased ability to stay on task and do work in the classroom," says Tyler Thompson, Westbrook teacher.

The Assistant Principal at Portland High School, Steven Connolly, said this about the impact of the boat building program on potential drop-outs:

The at-risk group of young ladies who are currently involved with the Compass Project are attending classes regularly at school now and are experiencing more success in school by making better decisions -- avoiding social conflict. The girls report they love the work, want to go on Fridays as well, and want to build a second boat. One girl told me she intends to work for the program. Other girls were excited about the chance to help out with the July 19-20 Family Boat Building Event -- as experts of course! This program is meeting and exceeding the desired outcomes - turning a group of students around to help them make better decisions in life.

Values:

• Youth are innately capable of positive development when given a constructive environment and proper tools.
• Youth deserve to have access to Maine's natural resources, its waterfront, shoreline and maritime traditions.
• Youth are the future custodians of our society and our environment.

Vision:

The Compass Project envisions the development of innovative programs such as:

• Boatbuilding
• Rowing
• Family and community boat programs
• Youth Entrepreneurial Program

We envision a boating center for people in the Greater Portland area which will provide access to waterfront activities that will promote personal development and positive change through opportunities to learn boat building, rowing and related activities.

Friends of the Compass Project

The Friends of the Compass Project are an enthusiastic group of people who actively support the Project through:

• Fun- and fund- raising
• Organizing launches
• Staffing boatshow events
• Helping with mailings
• Call 774-0682 or Contact Us to volunteer