Our Mission
We empower aged-out foster youth and young adults from at-risk backgrounds to achieve independence,
overcome personal obstacles, and reach their fullest potential.
Origin
Our Remarkable Story
Compassion Planet began with one young man — and one open door.
When Marvin aged out of foster care, he had 60 days to find somewhere to live and no one to call. Our founders, Scott and Jacquie Flanagan, had become aware of the devastating cycle facing foster youth in the Sacramento area — and when Marvin came into their lives, they didn't turn away. They opened their one-bedroom apartment, walked alongside him through job applications and life decisions, and helped him find his footing.
That experience changed everything. Scott and Jacquie realized the system wasn't built to support these young adults once they aged out. So in 2012, they built something that was — Compassion Planet.
Today, Compassion Planet serves 60-70 young adults every year across Placer and Sacramento Counties. Our comprehensive Mentoring Program provides workforce training, life skills education, trauma-informed mental health support, and real employment across 10 social enterprises. More than 161 young adults have graduated from our program, with over 92% now living in healthy independence.
What started as one act of compassion has grown into a movement. And we're just getting started.
Newsroom
Media & News
Compassion Planet Testimonials 2017
Compassion Planet transformed one participant’s life by providing support, mentorship, and opportunity. Through meaningful guidance and a caring community, he gained confidence, found employment, built lasting relationships, and discovered hope, purpose, and a brighter future.
Carlos Hernandez
After the group home, it was either be homeless or join the military. So that was my options. And I supposed to go to Job Corps in Utah start fresh, and that didn’t work out. It was really hard for me just to trust people get too close. I’ve gone close to people and I kind of pushed them away.
Jessica Lyon
Empovering aged-out foster youth and youth from at risk background to achieve independence overcoming personal obstacles and reaching their fullest potential.
Challenge
The Challenge Our Youth Face
Every two minutes, a child enters the U.S. foster care system. At 18, they are expected to navigate adulthood alone — often without a family safety net, financial guidance, or anyone to call.
These are not statistics. They are young adults — in our community — who never got the chance to thrive. Compassion Planet exists to change that.
In California:
40% of aged-out foster youth experience homelessness
Less than 3% will earn a college degree
51% of trafficking victims have a foster care history
71% are incarcerated within 5 years of aging out
Nearly 70% of California's prison population spent time in foster care
Less than 65% graduate from high school
Community Partnerships Leveraged
Young Adults
Served
Volunteers that contributed
TEAM
Our Leadership & Staff
Scott Flanagan
Co-founder | Executive Director
Jacquie Flanagan
Co-founder | Inventory/Warehouse
Brian Taylor
Program Director / Technical Director & Trainer
Jessica Schwanke, MSW
Clinical Social Worker
Patrick Seymour
Youth Trainer - Social Enterprise Director
Lisa Charlebois, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Gina Farinacci-Himbert
Compassion Thrift Store Manager
Lindsey Flanagan
Deer Creek Farm Store Manager
Ruth Kolwyck
Deer Creek Farm Garden & Market Manager
Deborah Joy English
Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director
Megan Boespflug
Director of Donor Stewardship
Kerrie Jeppson
Program Administrator
Cathy McDougle
Compassion Thrift Intake Manager
Bonnie Sterngold
Finance/Bookkeeping
Directors
Our Board
Steve Holt
CP Chair | Retired Business Owner
Ruby N. Tucker
Board Member | Business Development
Scott Flanagan
Co-founder | Executive Director
Kriss Mann
CP Member | Partner at MUN CPA's
Ron McKim
CP Member | Owner of McKim Homes
Darold Mark
Board Member | Financial Advisor
Boomer Bennett
Board Member | Motivational Speaker
Patrick Wefers
Board Member | Owner of Infinium Communications
Associates
Our Partners
Compassion Planet's work is made possible by an extraordinary network of business and community partners across the Sacramento region. Together, we are equipping young adults with the training, mentorship, and support they need to thrive.
To learn more Contact Megan Boespflug at megan@compassionplanet.org.
Business & Community Partners:
Reports
Financials Stewardship
When you give to Compassion Planet, your dollars go to work:
91.7%
Program Services
(Mentoring & Aftercare)
2.2%
Management &
Administration
6.0%
Fundraising
$3.7 M
Total Operating
Budget
Compassion Planet is a proud 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 45-3646224).
All gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.