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April 13, 2005 To Whom It May Concern: The Rose Hill Recreation Center is part of the family of recreation centers that service the City of Los Angeles . Rose Hills is nestled in a part of North East Los Angeles often referred to as El Sereno. This small community is home to some 5000 persons mostly of Hispanic decent, though not exclusively and is predominated by hills and valleys. Perhaps it is the geography that has play so much in to the lives of so many of the youth in this area as they are isolated from the main stream of life and its opportunities, both good and bad. As the Recreation Director for this community center I am afforded both the opportunity to observe the community and the task to provide quality recreation opportunities for all persons. It was this task that led me to seek out a quality program to teach real leadership skills to the vibrant youth of this community and in turn this led me to Forward Step and their Compass Program. I immediately recognized the potential of the Compass Program to positively impact the lives of young people with its open format and flowing structure. Each aspect of the Compass Program relates in real terms to the daily realities of the youth of today by presenting concepts they are already aware of, but have yet to express. Compass was presented to the youth of the Rose Hill as way to learn the skills necessary to prove to their parent that they can make good decisions and are responsible young adults. The out come was more incredible than expected. Rose Hills youth immediately responded to each class session with interest and enthusiasm, even on Saturday mornings. Out of the Compass Program the Rose Hill Recreation Center youth created a teen club, volunteered for 4 separate special events as a team, participated in a community wide Holiday program and have formed friendships that will last a life-time. Most importantly though, they have all expressed how much they have learned of what it takes to make the right decisions even when faced with the temptation of the wrong ones, and the rewards of making the right one. Kindest Regards, Joe Stackhouse
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