How Did COMPASS Begin?

This database is the outgrowth of several local organizations and foundations sought desire to improve the quality of life in Stark County . Those involved believed that community improvements could happen more efficiently if everyone worked together from the same base of information. The Community Partnership Committee (CPC) that consists of 46 volunteers who represent social service agencies, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, educational institutions, faith-based organizations and governmental jurisdictions was developed to help oversee and direct the building of a datacenter to provide information about the quality of life in Stark County .

 The United Way of America developed COMPASS. COMPASS is a guide to community building that helps United Ways and their partners mobilize communities to improve people's lives. It works by mobilizing community strengths and assets and by connecting those strengths and assets with strategic opportunities for people to improve their community.

 It is grounded in sound information and a quality process. COMPASS is a community-building guide. It includes community assessment as a core component. COMPASS takes an asset-based approach to community building. It includes community visioning, integration of human services with community and economic development, and community-level outcome measurement.