Description
What is Compass?
Compass is a student organization within Cornell University's Einhorn Center for Community Engagement that partners with students at George Junior Republic (GJR) to create meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and personal growth. We believe community engagement is most impactful when it is built on collaboration, mutual respect, and shared experiences.
Over the past two semesters, Compass has expanded its programming more than ever before, creating additional opportunities for Cornell students to engage with the local community while increasing opportunities for GJR students to explore new interests, develop life skills, and build positive relationships.
What is George Junior Republic?
George Junior Republic (GJR) is a residential treatment and educational community that serves young people who need additional support beyond what a traditional school setting can provide. In addition to academic instruction, students receive therapeutic services, behavioral support, and opportunities to develop important life skills.
New York’s Raise the Age law, passed in 2018, helps keep 16- and 17-year-olds out of adult prisons by providing alternatives to adult prosecution. Residential programs like GJR are vital to providing young people with a safe place to live, learn, and receive the support they need to succeed.
Compass is proud to partner with GJR because we believe every young person deserves opportunities to learn, grow, and discover their potential. Through our programming, we help create experiences that foster confidence, creativity, leadership, and connection.
Programming that makes an impact
Every week, Compass volunteers travel to George Junior Republic to lead hands-on programming that encourages creativity, teamwork, confidence, and personal growth. These programs create spaces where students can learn new skills, strengthen relationships, and simply enjoy new experiences.
Cooking & Baking
Our most popular program is Cooking & Baking. Each week, Cornell students work alongside GJR students to prepare recipes and learn new culinary skills together. Whether making sushi, personal pizzas, brookies, or trying entirely new dishes, students collaborate, problem-solve, and build practical life skills in a fun, supportive environment. One of our favorite parts of the program is incorporating the students' ideas and recipe requests into our weekly plans.
Arts & Crafts
Arts & Crafts gives students opportunities to express their creativity while building confidence in their unique ideas. From painting snowflakes and making bracelets to designing clay magnets, students explore new artistic skills while creating projects they can be proud of.
Debate
Through a partnership with Cornell Debate, students learn the fundamentals of public speaking, critical thinking, and respectful discussion. Weekly lessons introduce debate concepts, which students then apply to engaging topics they enjoy, such as which superhero is the best. Throughout the semester, students develop confidence in sharing and defending their ideas while learning valuable communication skills.
Movement & Wellness
Movement programming encourages students to build teamwork, confidence, and healthy habits through activities such as basketball, dodgeball, duck-duck-goose, and Zumba. We have also partnered with PulseGuard to introduce CPR training, giving students the opportunity to learn life-saving skills while understanding the legal protections provided through Good Samaritan laws. These experiences equip students with valuable knowledge they can carry with them long after the program ends.
LEGO Coding
This semester, Compass launched a LEGO Coding club during the school day. Through hands-on activities, students learn the basics of coding and problem-solving while building with LEGO kits. The program has quickly become a favorite among participants, combining creativity, technology, and teamwork in an engaging learning environment.
Hear from our community
"The Compass Program provides our youth with meaningful opportunities to learn, engage, and build positive relationships with Cornell students in a fun and supportive environment. It exposes them to new experiences, encourages positive peer interaction, and gives them the opportunity to connect with college students who can serve as relatable role models and mentors. One youth from the Cooking and Baking Club shared that it was especially meaningful to build a relationship with someone just a little older who was attending college and could provide calm, nonjudgmental guidance. Seeing these relationships develop and the positive impact they have on our youth has been incredibly heartwarming."
—Danielle Chase, Director of Operations at the William George Agency
"I had a fantastic time working with our chess club at George Junior last semester. I learned a lot from the kids I worked with and had a lot of fun, and I like to think that I made an impact on them as well."
—Former Compass member
"As a mentor to the kids at George Junior Republic, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of empathy and patience. It was through this experience that I rediscovered the value of simple joys, reigniting my appreciation for them once more."
—Former Compass member
"Working with Compass has helped me connect with youth in Tompkins County and share my love of cooking and baking with the students. I love planning the menu for each week with them, and I look forward to program every week. The students are incredibly kind and resilient, and I'm thankful for the opportunity that Compass provides."
—Former Compass member
Why your support matters
Every program, activity, and relationship Compass makes possible begins with showing up. Because George Junior Republic is about 20 minutes from Cornell's campus, transportation remains one of our biggest barriers to serving students.
Your support helps cover transportation costs, program supplies, and new opportunities that allow Cornell and GJR students to learn and grow together. More importantly, your donation helps create meaningful experiences that build confidence, foster belonging, develop life skills, and remind young people that others believe in their potential.
Together, we can continue creating opportunities for connection, growth, and learning that leave a lasting impact on everyone involved.
As a registered student organization, we are committed to equal access to all of our programs and do not discriminate based on any protected identity status.
$5
A Small Gift, A Big Impact
Every meaningful connection begins with a first step. Your gift helps create opportunities for students to build confidence, explore new interests, and connect with supportive mentors.
$10
Confidence Builder
A little support can go a long way. Your gift helps students try something new, develop valuable skills, and gain confidence through hands-on programming and positive relationships.
$25
Creativity Champion
Help provide supplies for activities that encourage creativity, self-expression, and teamwork through programs like Arts & Crafts and LEGO Coding.
$50
Community Builder
Support programs that bring Cornell and George Junior Republic students together to learn, collaborate, and build meaningful relationships.
$100
Nourishing Growth
Fund a week of groceries for our Cooking & Baking program, giving students the opportunity to learn practical life skills, work as a team, and build confidence in the kitchen.
$250
Opportunity Maker
Help ensure students continue to have access to enriching programs that foster connection, creativity, confidence, and personal growth.
$500
Connection Champion
Support a semester of impactful programming that helps students discover new interests, build life skills, and form meaningful relationships with Cornell mentors.
$750
Cooking Club Sponsor
Sponsor a full semester of groceries for one Cooking & Baking club. Your generosity provides the ingredients for hands-on learning, teamwork, and relationship-building while giving students the opportunity to develop skills they can carry with them for years to come.
$1,000
Semester Sponsor
Fund a full semester of programming supplies for Compass, ensuring volunteers can buy supplies to provide the programming, mentorship, and support that students look forward to each week at George Junior Republic.