Project Kompass

08/29/2026

Another fun-filled day with our friends from Aaron’s Presents at Hidden Pond Farm & Stables in Derry!

One of the sweet benefits of having our own little orchard is being able to send everyone home with some fresh fruit. Today, it was all about the peaches! 🍑

We always enjoy welcoming the Aaron’s Presents crew to the farm and sharing a little fresh air, time with the animals, and plenty of fun together.

To learn more about Aaron’s Presents and the wonderful work they do with young people in our community, visit:
https://www.aaronspresents.org/

One Mission. Many Paths.

08/27/2026

So... what is Project Kompass? It’s a question we’re asked often, and the answer has never been just one thing.

Project Kompass is a young woman finding safety, stability, and the confidence to begin again. It’s a parent walking through the doors of our Community Center because the grocery budget simply didn’t stretch far enough this month.

It’s someone living unhoused receiving a bag of food, a cold drink, basic essentials, and perhaps most importantly, being reminded that they are seen.

It’s a student receiving a scholarship and realizing someone believes in their future.

It’s families who have lost everything in a fire discovering that their community will not let them rebuild alone. And sometimes, it’s simply a conversation, a connection, or helping someone figure out where to turn next.

The numbers on this page tell an important story. They show growth, impact, and an increasing need within our community. But behind every single number is a person, a family, and a story that matters.

We cannot solve every challenge that walks through our doors. But we can meet people where they are, treat them with dignity and compassion, and do everything we can to help them find the path forward that works for them.

That is Project Kompass. One Mission. Many Paths.

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day from the PK Dog Family!

Today, we’re giving a special shout-out to a few very important members of the Project Kompass family. The ones with four legs, lots of personality, and absolutely no understanding of personal space.

Meet the PK Pack:

🐶 Bernetta (aka Bernie), the leader of the pack. She takes her role very seriously.

🐶 Curry, the smallest, but mighty by far. Never underestimate the little one!

🐶 Daisy, our sweet girl who, after an unfortunate encounter with a skunk this week, isn’t smelling quite as much like a flower these days.

🐶 Georgia, our newest family member, the largest in size, but quite possibly the sweetest in temperament.

They bring plenty of barks, lots of protection, unconditional love, and more than a little chaos. They are a huge part of our PK Family.

Today is simple. We just want to send a shout-out to all of our dog-loving partners, friends, volunteers, staff, clients, and supporters, and of course, to all the pups who make our lives a little happier.

Happy National Dog Day from our pack to yours! 🐾💙💚🧡

08/25/2026

The need is rising, and at Project Kompass, we are seeing it firsthand.

Changes to SNAP eligibility are affecting thousands of Massachusetts residents, and we are already seeing more individuals and families turning to community food resources for help.

At the Project Kompass Community Center, we meet working families struggling with grocery costs, seniors stretching fixed incomes, parents choosing between food, rent and utilities, and people who never imagined they would need a food pantry.

We could not meet this growing need without our partnership with the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Inc. Approximately 80% of the food we distribute through our pantry is provided through MVFB, making this partnership essential to our ability to keep food on the tables of the families we serve.

Project Kompass receives no local, state or federal funding to operate our programs. Through partnerships, grants and donations, we continue working to fill the gaps with food and other basic necessities.

As SNAP changes impact more households, organizations like Project Kompass and the Merrimack Valley Food Bank will undoubtedly feel that impact too.

Behind every statistic is a person, a family, a senior, a child, a neighbor.

And as the need rises, we will continue to show up.

One Mission. Many Paths.
Together we are Better.

New federal rules are sharply reducing the number of people accessing SNAP, the nation's largest food assistance program.

08/25/2026

What happens when our Executive Director helps out during pantry hours? Playtime! 💙

She was so excited to take this fun little crew into the back room to pick out a new plushy while Mom and Dad took care of business out front.

We met this beautiful family for the first time at our Back-to-School Event on Saturday, and we immediately connected. These kids were an absolute blast, full of smiles, personality, and plenty of laughs. Today, they came back to visit us, and we are so grateful to officially welcome them into our Project Kompass family.

Sometimes community looks like food on the table. Sometimes it’s connecting a family with the resources they need. And sometimes, it’s a room full of kids laughing and trying to decide which new plushy gets to come home.

These are the moments that make our days.

This is community. This is connection. This is Project Kompass.

One Mission. Many Paths.

08/24/2026

Today, we recognize Dee Drolet.

Dee came to Project Kompass when we needed her most. As our Senior Residential Program Manager, she has taken on the responsibility of helping create a program that supports, embraces, and responds to the individual needs of every young adult we serve.

From intake and case management to navigating some of the most complex situations our young people face, Dee has never wavered in her professionalism, compassion, or commitment.

In addition to her work with Project Kompass, Dee holds a full-time position as Community Support Manager at the Lowell Transitional Living Center. For the past nine years, she has been instrumental in supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Her own personal journey, much like the journeys of many of the people she serves, has taught her firsthand what resilience, commitment, and hard work can accomplish. That experience is reflected in the way she approaches her work and the people she serves.

We have witnessed Dee step into challenging situations that many people would shy away from. She handles them with dignity, respect, compassion, understanding, and, when needed, a whole lot of strength.

Dee is an advocate for all. She will do whatever she can to make sure the people she serves feel supported, respected, cared for, and valued.

We are incredibly grateful for Dee and everything she has brought to Project Kompass and our community.

Her work is also another beautiful example of what true collaboration can accomplish. When organizations and people who share the same commitment to our community come together, everyone benefits.

Today, Dee Drolet, we recognize you. Thank you for the work you do, the lives you impact, and the heart you bring to it every single day.

08/23/2026

Yesterday showed us exactly what COMMUNITY looks like, and we’re not stopping here.

Our first annual Project Kompass Back-to-School Event supported 237 students with backpacks, school supplies, new clothing, sneakers, haircuts, vaccines and, most importantly, a community that showed up for them.

A special thank you to our Project Kompass Ambassadors: Senator Vanna Howard, Deb Belanger, Michele Hoey, Deb Duggan and Diane Palmer for continuing to stand beside us.

To our amazing volunteers: Kayla Thevenin, Rowda Amin, Ami Ginsberg, Cameron DaSilva, Devin Guillermo, Leonardo Casella, Sabrina Garuc, Sreyvan Nget, Dara Sok, Duarte Cardoso, Garrett Casey and Lisa Ansara. THANK YOU for giving your time and energy to make this day possible.

A huge shout-out to Keira Meusel and Jacqui Bento for graciously stepping up and providing free haircuts to our students!

Thank you to our incredible partners: The Wish Project, Aaron's Presents, Greater Lowell Community Health Alliance, Lowell Litter Krewe, and to our newest partners at Walgreens for bringing vaccines directly to our community. We look forward to continuing this partnership!

To the amazing scienc Mammoth Division team, you connected with us a few months ago when we needed support and haven’t left our side since. Thank you!

And to our community of supporters who donated, purchased, ordered and continue sending much-needed items, you made this possible.

Finally, to my staff, Ben, Russell and Dave, thank you for working tirelessly to make yesterday such a success.

But we’re not stopping at 237 students.

We want every student who comes through our doors to return to school with a new outfit, sneakers, backpack and school supplies.

The Lowell Memorial Auditorium is helping us keep going! If you're attending One Night of Queen on August 28th, please consider bringing an item or two of new clothing, sneakers or shoes for students from kindergarten through high school. Look for Project Kompass in the lobby!

It takes a village, and our community has shown us time and time again that our village comes together when needed.

Together we are Better.

08/23/2026

The excitement of today’s event was felt by so many!

Our First Annual Project Kompass Back-to-School Event was a huge success. With the help of an incredible community, we were able to welcome and support 237 students with backpacks, school supplies, clothing, shoes, haircuts, and even flu shots for those brave enough to roll up their sleeves!

Before we share our formal thank-you to all of the amazing people and organizations who helped make today possible, we simply want to say thank you to our community for showing up.

To the many families who walked through our doors for the first time today: welcome to the PK family. We are truly grateful to have met so many wonderful new people, and we hope today was just the beginning of our relationship with you.

237 students. One incredible community. One very special day.

Together we are Better.

08/21/2026

✨ Five years. Countless lives impacted. One incredible community. ✨

As we celebrate our 5th Annual Gala, we want to recognize the sponsors who are helping make this milestone year truly special.

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

🌙 Priscilla & Nathan Keliher
🌙 Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union
🌙 Lisa Ansara & Jim McCusker
🌙 Ellen Andre

Your support fuels the work of Project Kompass, helps strengthen the Project Kompass Community Center, and makes it possible for us to continue creating opportunities for those who need them most.

We are deeply grateful for your partnership and can't wait to celebrate together at the Moonlight Masquerade.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Visit our event page to learn more about sponsorship benefits and secure your sponsorship today! https://givebutter.com/c/MoonlightMaqueradeGala