Compass Community Center

Stepping into Compass Community Center felt like receiving a warm hug from a close friend. This place is a true celebration of unity and acceptance, and it left me beaming with joy.

Right from the moment I walked in, the staff welcomed me with genuine smiles and open hearts. Their dedication to creating a safe haven for everyone is so heartwarming, promoting understanding and kindness at every turn.

What really stood out to me were the unique programs tailored to cater to all sorts of people. From supporting LGBTQ+ youth to senior social groups, Compass truly embraces everyone.

The center's ambiance is a blend of cozy and lively, making it perfect for both quiet introspection and lively conversations. And their events? Oh, they're like icing on a cake!

Compass Community Center isn't just a place – it's a feeling, an embrace of who we are, and a catalyst for personal growth. If you're looking for a heartwarming community where you can belong and flourish, look no further. This place is a true friend on your journey of connection and self-discovery.

I had beyond a terrible experience here. The staff are rude and narcissistic beyond belief. Their slogan of Compass being a judgement-free zone is a complete lie. I was considered a faker of being gay since I was uneasy being open about it and that I moved from Michigan (a state that’s known for its homophobic past). Since I was an adolescent at the time, their treatment was very scarring. It gave me a very negative view of the LGBT life. When I was a kid in Michigan, I was taught very dark conspiracy theories on homosexuality,. Going there dug them up. It was my conversion therapy, where it broke me down into tears and begged myself to be heterosexual after leaving the place.


If you are new and uncomfortable with your sexuality, I strongly DON’T recommend this place ESPECIALLY if you’re a teenager.

I receive services at Compass for free and it is a life saver. Their staff are so passionate and helpful, they saved my life. I feel so much more connected to people and a part of the community. And if you have never seen what they do for World AIDS Day (December 1st) it is breathtaking. Love this place!

There are definitely some serious concerns I have about Compass.

The reviews here so far, are people who are either close friends or Employees and the CEO s Domestic Partner.

They seem to be a very close nit bunch with Mr Tony Plakas at the helm. He has insured his 12 year position as "CEO" by keeping the board and KEY employees as CLOSE friends.

I recently referred a Gay homeless teenager with serious mental health issues for mental health support . They were not available until several days later and did not ask him if he was suicidal. No follow up call was made by them. Also when this young man walked in with a suitcase in need of the computer room he was rudely told to pay 3 dollars with absolutely no concern for his well being.

I also toured the facility previously and thought it was a nice place but a little too upscale with nothing happening. The front desk greeter is bitter and unwelcoming .

I have taken it upon myself to do some research. This place does not serve our community well.

Tony plakas is great at fundraising but should no longer be the CEO.
He is completely self serving and egotistical. The leader of a community should not have a recent DUI arrest. The news report said he was driving on the sidewalk and was so high/ drunk that he gave the officer his Husbands Drivers license . This is no role model.
He is now on a 3 month retreat in Greece and I have to wonder how this is being financed.
A recent post to his Facebook Page was a link from a friend regarding working abroad.

Mr. Plakas states on his LinkedIn page that he went to Harvard. This is misleading , considering it was a 2 week course at the cost of $12,000 attended in Pa at a Luxury Hotel. Being that this was in recent years I am willing to assume that The Board at Compass may have approved its cost.

Our 2014 LGBT Pride event was organized by Compass and though it was modest in size they thought it necessary to have a V I P tent/ lounge for the donors. Tony Plakas CEO hardly left his private tent. This is a small town no need to be so pretentious

If you look at social media for Tony Plakas and Compass it is always about him and he is in every photo.
The Compass website does not give credit nor any history to how it all began and who started the organization.

Revenue for Compass in 2012 was about 1.8 to 2 million . How about public disclosure of where the money goes.

Compass is a great organization and truly one of a kind. The community center is an awesome space and the staff are friendly and passionate about the work they do. I have volunteered and attended a number of their community events including PrideFest of the Palm Beaches, Stonewall Ball, and Equality Prom. I was proud to bring my parents to Compass when they hosted the National Holocaust Museum's Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals exhibit last year. Compass is doing amazing things for this community.

Compass has been at the center of the LGBT community here in Palm Beach County for over 25 years. It is no coincidence that we all enjoy a more open and accepting living environment here because Compass is here. From PrideFest to Stonewall to their annual fundraising gala Cocktails for Compass, I attend every signature event every single year and support the work this great organization does through my Legacy membership. As the LGBT movement of equality advances across the nation, there will always be a need for Compass in our lives. Keep up the great work!

Ever since coming to Compass I've found it to be such a great place for employees and visitors alike.

Not only is Compass a great place to hangout and beat the Florida heat its but a wonderful resource for the West Palm Beach/South Florida GLBTQ community and its allies. After moving all the way from Massachusetts I immediately found a place at Compass working as an intern and volunteer. The staff are incredibly warm and inclusive and are committed to connecting individuals with the services they need. They also put together the best fundraising/pride events including the annual pridefest. I consider myself lucky to be part of the community building effort and work in such an awesome environment.

I have been volunteering at Compassglcc since early December 2011. Even though I primarlily answer phone calls, but I direct them to the case managers directly. I am also the first face a client or someone from the community encounters, and I do believe with all my heart that most, if not all clients feel that Compassglcc is a gift to the community that gives the gift of help to those who need it. I also am, for certain, that Compassglcc provides a safe atmosphere for the LGBTQ community. Almost every new person to enter the building comments on how nice the building is and that is is warm and inviting. I'm so happy I started volunteering at Compassglcc and love to encounter the employees and clients.

Compass Gay & Lesbian Community Center is great organization. I love volunteering for the special events that otherwise the community wouldn't have, such as Stonewall Ball, PrideFest of the Palm Beaches and even some special projects like data entry and analysis. The amount of talent, dedication and passion in the staff is not only uplifting but also contagious. I love volunteering there but most importantly I see the impact that Compass has in the community that it serves, from individuals to groups to businesses, it is a win-win situation.

Compass Gay & Lesbian Community Center has been the key catalyst in making Palm Beach County, FL the most gay-friendly place in the Florida. It's the largest center of its kind in the Southeast US - and one of the largest in the country. I've been a donor and volunteer for 15 years. Their state-of-the-art center in Downtown Lake Worth is impressive and worth the visit. I highly recommend the organization.