Editor’s note: This is the first of four stories in a North Kitsap Herald special series. The series calls attention to little-known causes that change lives in our community.

CENTRAL VALLEY — The world is a lot faster to Blue Sky Gunhammer, Oglala, since he got out of prison this fall after 20 years.

He expresses amazement at the cellphone pictures someone is taking of his beaded artwork. People were shooting photos with film when he went in back in ’94.

At this one-acre goat and chicken farm on rural Central Valley Road, Gunhammer is building a new life. He does his part in helping to take care of the place, which he shares with eight others. The farm is bucolic and far from urban temptations; the nearest bus stop is a mile away.

“It’s far enough out of town that you’ve really got to think about getting into trouble,” he said.

If he’s not doing odd jobs for pay — he recently did some house painting and some horse walking — he volunteers in the community. He’ll soon help build a porch for someone in need. He looks forward to resuming his long-ago career as an iron worker.

“I like it here because it’s slower,” Gunhammer said. “It’s helped me a lot.”

This is Compass House, a transitional home for men who got lost on the bad road and are seeking their way back, a place that believes in second chances. It opened in December 2013, with room for 15 men but a current population of nine. Its program of providing a safe and peaceful place to live, where men can focus on improving themselves and securing their future — and providing support services to help them reach their goals — is getting high marks from the Department of Corrections and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

All of the men have done time; three are veterans.

“This is a mission for me,” said Hal Fergusson, an Air Force veteran and founder of Compass House. “When I say a ‘mission,’ I mean, I’m a spiritual person. We like to expose, but not impose. We’re not faith-based, but if someone finds faith along the way, that’s all for the better.

“Our primary goal is to [help] fellows that have served the country and got into some trouble, and either don’t have family or they have a family that doesn’t want them back. The only thing we insist on is you have to be clean and sober.”

Getting your life in order after being behind bars is not easy. When you get out of prison, you get a $500 voucher for three months to help you cover your expenses on the outside. As far as help with goal setting, managing finances, and life skills training, you’re pretty much on your own.

The advocates at Compass House believe that in order to combat homelessness, the men must be armed with the tools they need to succeed and help them to become contributing members of society. Here’s how it works.

The men who live here learned about Compass House from a counselor before they got out, or from their probation officer. If the resident is a veteran, Val Hawkins, a veterans services officer, helps them get their VA benefits reinstated.

“In those first three months, it’s crucial they find the direction they want to go,” said Mike Toro, one of the directors of Compass House. “We help them with coming up with a plan.”

House manager Eric Adkins, a native of Cincinnati, is a former Army NCO who served as a cavalry scout in Iraq and is being treated for PTSD. He is a 4.0 student at Olympic College, where he is studying welding. He is one of two Compass House residents that are in school.

He went over the daily routine at the house: After morning chores — there’s a chore list — the men go to school, or to work, or to job interviews, or meet with corrections officer Debra Giczkowski. They help maintain the house and grounds — one resident grabbed the ladder and cleaned the gutters. Curfew is from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., although there’s some flexibility for jobs.

Compass House residents and advocates meet every four to five weeks to discuss challenges or concerns; Giczkowski sometimes attends. “If they have an objection, they’re not afraid to say it,” Fergusson said of the men. “And they’re not afraid to make the necessary corrections.”

Fergusson made dinner for everybody at the last meeting. There were no complaints about his cooking, he quipped.

Caring for the house and grounds is no small task. This dome house is more than 4,000 square feet, with eight bedrooms, five bathrooms, two living areas, two kitchens and a workout room.

The chickens provide a steady supply of fresh eggs for the table. The goats provide entertainment; the ram and doe go to the fence for head rubs from visitors, while their two kids romp and chase.

Raised beds will be cultivated for gardens; Gunhammer and another resident, Bone Redbird, who is Port Gamble S’Klallam, have plans for a clambake bed. There is no opposition to clambakes.

Some computers have arrived, a donation from a government agency; a computer lab will be set up so the men can write their resumes and do job searches.

Kim Toro, Mike’s wife and a director of Compass House, said these men are labor-ready, with experience in painting, drywalling, construction and other skills. Compass House residents have been honing their skills with some remodeling at the house, and advocates have connected them with other work. Toro invites other work opportunities where the men can use their skills, and build their resumes and their self-esteem.

Effort began five years ago
Fergusson, who owns Geneva Real Estate in Silverdale, got the idea for Compass House about five years ago and began looking for a suitable property. In 2013, this property on Central Valley Road, a little over a mile north of Waaga Way, became available. With its size and setting, it was perfect.

Fergusson and three others obtained a lease-option on it and the work began. Compass House filed for and received designation as a charitable limited liability corporation, or LLC, in Washington state, and has filed for designation as a federal 501c3.

The furnishings were provided by donors. Hampton Inn provided comforters, pillows and towels. In the course of Compass House’s genesis, proponents had built contacts with the Department of Corrections, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Association of Black Veterans, Catholic Community Services in Bremerton, Kitsap Community Resources, and Department of Social and Health Services. Those agencies and organizations provide various support services to Compass House residents.

Adam Dahl, a 1994 graduate of North Kitsap High School, moved in to Compass House on Nov. 4, after serving one year and a day at Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen. He’s saving money so he can rejoin the pipelayers union. Compass House is helping him to do that, and more.

“What it does is it holds me accountable,” Dahl said of Compass House. “It’s a great group of guys. All of the people here are trying to improve their lives. We’ve got each other’s backs.”

Redbird did two years in prison; he learned of Compass House from his counselor and moved in on Aug. 28. He’s eager to work — he did some house painting and horse walking with Gunhammer — and plans to study to become a fish biologist for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. In his spare time, he and Gunhammer drum and sing traditional songs. He makes and paints hand drums.

If he can’t work as an iron worker, Gunhammer would like to work as an artist. He displayed intricate beaded work he’s completed — key chains, pendants, pouches — since he’s lived at Compass House. A large, beaded Seahawk pendant gets a lot of attention (sorry — it’s sold). His work will be exhibited at Lisa Stirrett Glass Art Studio in Silverdale in spring.

No one taught him to do this art form; his skill is part of his DNA, the act of beading is spiritual to him.

“I center myself when I’m beading,” Gunhammer said. It helps connect him with Ancestors who did this work before him.

Fergusson is pleased with what he sees in the men at Compass House — men who need a second chance.

“We believe in second and third chances,” Fergusson said.

Mike Toro added, “They’re here to change. By providing them with a stable living environment, we can help them forget the past and move forward on their future.”

How to help: Make a financial contribution. Donate bedding, cleaning supplies, men’s clothing, personal hygiene items, yard tools. Volunteer. Hire a resident. Call 360-620-1366 or 981-2058, or email compasshousekitsap@gmail.com. Online: www.compasshousenw.com