NEWS
Compass Awarded Two Grants Totaling More Than $50,000
Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation and City National Bank Partner with Compass to Further Affordable Housing Residential Programming
San Diego, CA, October 31, 2024 – Last month, Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation (UBCF) and City National Bank awarded $55,000 in grants to Compass, a nonprofit affordable housing development partner and resident services provider. UBCF, a 501(c)(3) organization of Umpqua Bank, awarded $50,000 to Compass. UBCF has invested more than $18.5 million in Umpqua Bank’s local communities since the foundation’s formation in 2014. Additionally, City National Bank, which gave more than $11.3 million to nonprofits nationwide last year, has provided $5,000 to Compass. Both grants will assist Compass in delivering its award-winning residential programming to affordable housing communities throughout California.
Compass Residential Service Programs
The UBCF and City National Bank grants will help Compass further develop its signature residential service programs: E.A.T. (Education, Access, Tools) and the FOCUS after-school program.
E.A.T. Program
The E.A.T. program addresses food insecurity by delivering basic nutrition education, access to free or low-cost food resources, and skills for everyday home cooking to the residents of affordable housing communities. The program addresses the unique needs of the low-income population, and empowers residents to make more informed decisions affecting their physical health and well-being. These educationally based social events also allow residents to interact and build community.
FOCUS Program
FOCUS is an after-school program available to school-age resident children. Developed by a celebrated teacher with 30 years of experience, FOCUS provides both structure and flexibility, allowing trained on-site coordinators to make choices that serve their individual students. The result is an engaging atmosphere that emphasizes social and emotional well-being, while improving the academic and critical thinking skills of all students who participate.
Robin Martinez, Executive Director for Compass, states, “With these grants, UBCF and City National Bank have demonstrated their commitment to helping our vulnerable neighbors. We thank both of these organizations for partnering with Compass to provide residential programming in affordable housing developments, and help build healthy, vibrant communities.
Robin Martinez Appointed as Compass Executive Director
Board of Directors Selects Program Co-Founder to Guide Affordable Housing Initiatives
San Diego, CA, September 26, 2024 – Compass, a trusted resident services provider and valued development partner for affordable housing, has appointed Robin Martinez as its Executive Director. Ms. Martinez brings nearly two decades of experience in residential development, and creating and managing programming for multi-family housing communities. Blending a strong understanding of the needs of developers and residents, her leadership will guide Compass as it expands its mission and grows its reach throughout California.
Robin Martinez Background
Ms. Martinez has a history of building successful partnerships by working closely with residents, property managers, and developers. She managed community development and HOA programs for Shea Homes, and has worked for companies dedicated to developing and managing Common Interest Developments. These experiences gave her a deep understanding of both the development process and long-term community management.
Ms. Martinez co-founded a non-profit organization called Love Your Lunchbox, the predecessor of Compass, in 2008. Determined to help people access food resources, she saw basic nutrition education and healthy cooking classes as part of a larger strategy to address poverty. Soon after, the organization was administering the E.A.T. (Education, Access, Tools) program to residents of affordable housing communities. Today, E.A.T. is one of Compass’ signature programs.
Nicki Cometa, Compass’ Board President, states, “Robin has a natural ability to inspire others and an aptitude for designing well-structured programs—allowing for replicable success. She has already created effective programming for developers of affordable housing and their residents, and we’re excited to see her build on that momentum.”
Board of Directors
The Compass Board of Directors includes:
- Nicki Cometa, Chief Financial Officer for Affirmed Housing
- James H. Laverty, Director of Construction and Real Estate Practice Group for Marsh & McLennan Insurance Agency LLC
- Denise Gomez, PharmD MD, Director of Adult Medicine for TrueCare
- Waheed Karim, Vice President of Affordable Housing California for Banner Bank
- Beth Binger, President of BCI, a public relations firm specializing in CRE development
About Compass
Based in San Diego, Compass serves as the North Star for developers and residents of affordable housing through programs, partnerships, and services. The organization’s mission is to advance best practices in the development and programming of affordable housing. Compass has decades of experience providing MGP (managing general partner) services, and award-winning youth & family programming. For more information, visit compassfah.org.
