The COMPASS program provides thirty-one apartments located on three campuses in Independence, MO for youth striving to overcome homelessness. These youth receive intensive case management, clinical services, life skills development, job/career readiness, and leadership development support rooted in evidence-based practice to help them become self-sustaining, successful, and emotionally healthy adults. Immediate job placement opportunities exist for program participants who lack employment or the ability to gain employment in the community. 

Opportunities are provided on Drumm’s campus in four areas: farm, market, banquet hall, and administrative. Drumm conducts a full farm operation that consist of 4 ½ acres of tillable ground, multiple greenhouses, a high tunnel, and several pastures with sheep, lambs, goats, and hogs. The Drumm Banquet Hall hosts regular community meetings and events with a full array of food, beverage, and audio/visual services. In addition, Banquet staff regularly prepare baked goods that are packaged and sent to the Drumm Market.  The Drumm Market is open to the public every Saturday throughout the year for the purchase of fruits, vegetables, baked goods, jams, jellies, and meat all produced through the farm and kitchen operations. 

COMPASS participants are hired to work in these operations and gain significant skills in planting, growing, harvesting, food preparation, food service, customer service, and event planning.  They can acquire job readiness skills in an environment where comprehensive support and understanding is offered to ensure they have the greatest chance of long-term success. This has proven to be a vital stopgap for youth to immediately start earning a wage while looking for full time employment in the community. 

Drumm Farm’s independent living approach allows young adults the time needed to overcome barriers, resolve trauma, and become fully prepared for sustainable and successful adulthood. Drumm’s intensive support services of case management, on-site clinical services and educational and job readiness support significantly surpasses the depth and breadth of support in similar programs. A springboard to successful adulthood, COMPASS residents have moved on to college, found housing in the community, purchased their first car, joined the military, found employment, and traveled near and far while finding their path to a successful life.