Compass Healthcare associates in southern California continue to find ways to help people in underserved communities improve their lives.
Approximately 45 Compass Healthcare associates recently helped paint four Habitat for Humanity houses under construction in Santa Ana, Calif., part of the region’s ongoing efforts to participate in meaningful community service projects.
The associates spent the day painting boards for duplexes that would typically sell for $1.3 million each. However, thanks to contributions from companies and other organizations, including $5,000 from Morrison Healthcare, Habitat is able to sell these homes for approximately $300,000 and also assist families in obtaining affordable mortgage financing.
“It’s rewarding for our associates to contribute to a project that will change the lives of so many people,” says Joyce Kruesopon, regional vice president for Morrison Healthcare. “It’s also a way for associates from different sectors to get to know each other and make new connections and bring all of us closer together.”
The impact of the Habitat project is to provide stable, affordable housing to individuals and families who can stabilize a neighborhood. According to Habitat sources, none of the people awarded these homes has ever defaulted on their loan.
Associates from a variety of Compass companies that participated in the project, including Morrison, Crothall, Flik, Canteen, which provided drinks for all volunteers, and Fresh and Ready, which donated boxed lunches.
The service project was recommended by the Neighborhood Network California volunteer project, a leadership team within Compass that meets up to three times each year and decides which projects it will support. The projects must meet these goals: encourage cross-sector networking and collaboration; build connections beyond regular day-to-day roles; and provide volunteers to learn about other Compass sectors.
Kruesopon says potential future projects in 2026 include working with the Assistance League, an organization that helps needy children pick out clothes, backpacks, and school supplies. By participating in projects that help people in need throughout the region, Compass is playing an essential role in their communities.
