Public Service Profile

By Lauren Bertovich

The journey made between becoming an adult can take many paths, full of obstacles and challenges. Some of life’s most defining moments happen during this time and when a lack of guidance leads to poor decision-making, an individual’s future is at stake. It is vital that legal problems or behavioral issues including truancy, criminal behavior, and/or addiction to drugs or alcohol be addressed early. Just like the magnetic, wayfinding device, the Compass program is the ultimate source of guidance for students grades 6-12 that have struggled to find the right path in life.

The program began last September under the supervision of Community Service Director, Bret Moore, and is part of the Truancy Elimination Plan. The program combines the efforts of Waynesburg University Students, retired teaching faculty, Intermediate Unit 1 and many Greene County religious congregations. The students are referred to the program by the court, schools, Children and Youth Services, or private counselors because they have experienced troubles that have negatively impacted their education. “We feel it is far less expensive to educate people than to incarcerate them,” says Bret. “This is especially true of young people. We are trying to give them the tools necessary to lead a productive life and stay out of the criminal justice system. By requiring them to receive academic and counseling support, as well as job and softskill training, we hope to reduce recidivism among our clients.”

The students are brought from their schools to CareerLink in Waynesburg, every Thursday from 3:30pm to 6pm. They receive tutoring from Waynesburg University students, some of them Bonner Scholars, in various subjects including math, English, science, and reading and participate in enrichment sessions. These sessions offer the students more exposure to art, photography, poetry and even pottery. “Working with the Compass program the last few months has changed my perspective in more ways than I could have imagined,” says Brianna Armenia, BonnerScholar. “The program is doing amazing work and I truly cannot wait to see how much it grows overtime. It is amazing to be able to build relationships with the kids and see what a little bit of motivation and encouragement can do. There are big things coming from Compass and I believe it is, slowly, but surely, shaping the lives of these students.”

Bret Moore (Director), Dean Patrone, Alex Nemic, Trey Carl, Kyer Hurt, Alexis Phillips, Paul Berg and Mark Ziler (Community Service Foreman and Assistant).

The students participate in individual and group counseling to address any mental health issues they may have, including anxiety and/or depression. The Waynesburg University volunteers go above and beyond to make sure these students receive the educational requirements they are lacking; they also help them develop short and long term goals for the future with workshops like “Dream Thinking.” According to Moore, the university students have been exceptional in their diligence, maturity and compassion. “They serve as positive, peer role models. Something many of these kids are missing.”

Some of the high school students are receiving their certificates in OSHEA or Safe Serve, available from CareerLink. Increased knowledge means increased opportunities and the Compass Program hopes to help the individuals involved break out of their involvement with the criminal justice system while they are still young.

The community has come together in great fashion to help with this program. Students and faculty volunteer their time and energy and many of the churches in Greene County donate dinners every night of the program and help with transportation. The Compass Program received a $75K grant from PACTT, Pennsylvania Academic and Career Technical Training Alliance, and with those funds they have purchased supplies, helped with transportation and staffed part-time employees. The program hopes to expand to more than one night a week in the near future. FMI, contact Bret Moore, at 412-874-5246.