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Writer's pictureKristy Colby-Pyle

Compass - Guiding youth ages 14 to 35


Phelps might be known for helping students of the primary or secondary level, but it does not end there. While Phelps started as a tutoring program, it’s programming has expanded to meet the needs of the community. One of these is through the Compass program. One of the focusses is to prepare students for the job market. This is done in a few ways, through


  • CV/Resume building,

  • aid in searching for jobs,

  • mock interviews,

  • summer job fairs, and more.


Compass also helps students prepare for the post-secondary landscape. By helping them apply for bursary and loans, utilize what we call the accompaniment model, and helping them decide whether college or vocational studies are right for them. 

 

Jeune Coop

One big accomplishment for preparing students for the world was the Jeune COOP. It started on June 8th and has since been a huge success. Students are learning valuable skills such as how to speak to customers, handling payments of products, creating products, multitasking, and more!! We expected a little hesitancy, but they have proved us wrong. Students were very excited to be a part of this Phelps-led partnership with the local farmer’s market.  They could not wait to develop these important skills and gain some hard-earned money! Their first product was delicious homemade pretzels. They will continue to make various tasty treats during the summer.


In School Intervention

Though Compass may focus on post-secondary help, they also help at-risk students still in school. These are individuals who are struggling in school and/or have other barriers to overcome. Compass helps these students in a number of ways. One is during the school year they regularly meet students and teachers at Alexander Galt Regional High School, and have even started going to La Ruche. They speak to the teachers about how to best help their students succeed in the particular subjects they are struggling with. Another way they help their students is by creating subject-specific exercises for each individual. So they can hone their skills and knowledge on the subjects they are struggling with.

 

Dungeons & Dragons

Last but not least is that Compass hosts Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) for students and young adults alike. If you are not familiar, it is a Tabletop Roleplaying Game (TTRPG) that has participants create characters that explore a world built by the host called the Dungeon Master (DM). Both the players and the DM interact with each other to create a compelling story, which can include epic battles against fearsome foes, socializing with kings, tinkerers, witches, or beings beyond, solving riddles in a dungeon or sunken city, or exploring biomes, kingdoms, or cultures of vastly different natures. Besides fun, what does D&D offer young adults? Dungeons and Dragons is a safe environment for experimentation, whether that is through social interaction, exploring themselves within the game, or dealing with consequences of actions.


To conclude, Compass is not just one thing entirely. It is a program with a variety of things to offer. It is full of people that want to help the youth grow into the best members of society that they can be. Like an actual compass, it may point North, but through knowing where North is, the user can orient themselves into heading any of the cardinal directions. Whether that is through learning the working landscape and how to navigate it, to having aid in creating a resume, to improving social skills through either work or play. Compass is here to help guide our young Stanstead participants into the next phase of their lives.

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