Annual Report 2008 1 Spectrum has more than 38 years of experience providing “I know that when you look at us,” she said to the politicians, “you are probably thinking, ‘Oh, these are housing and support services to homeless, foster, and just kids who are running away for the sake of running away, or rebelling at-risk youth in Vermont. Spectrum’s mission is to work with just for the sake of rebelling.’ But the truth is that every kid who comes through these doors has a different story to tell, and most of those stories Vermont youth and families to improve their lives through are quite tragic.” advocacy, direct services, and a continuum of support, to I will never forget these words. Despite it being four years ago, this was a create a more just and compassionate community. defining moment. In less than ten seconds, this 20-year old woman, who was then living at our traditional living residence, the SRO, dispelled one of the three Spectrum One Stop (SOS), conveniently located on myths about homeless youth, the first of which is:It’s cool to be homeless. Pearl Street in Burlington, is an emergency youth shelter, Every December at Spectrum we hold a legislative open house in our drop-in center, and multi-service center, which offers Drop-in center. We invite legislators to come and learn about the needs of homeless and at-risk youth. The highlight of the evening is when our youth ages 14-21 a comprehensive continuum of services, young people themselves speak. They voice their opinion as to what is including education, employment, substance abuse and needed so that they and their peers can find housing, jobs, an education, and a way off the streets. mental health counseling, and much more. The reality is that for a young adult, being homeless is not fun at all, and the vast majority of young people we see at Spectrum come from backgrounds in which they have experienced, often from birth, things like physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, hunger, and sexual abuse. They come from families rife with substance abuse, alcoholism, domestic violence and one or both parents in prison. Most are on the street because they were not provided with the love, guidance, structure and care which are essential ingredients to producing a well-balanced, functioning adult in today’s society. Myth number two: Most homeless youth are runaways. National statistics show that the great majority of runaways in this country return home within a night or two, and only 8% of youth served in homeless shelters have a runaway report filed on them. When people ask me how many homeless kids at Spectrum are runaways, I tell them that for most of them, their families have more or less dissolved, come apart, to the point where there was no family left to run from. And the final myth:Homeless youth do not want help. Oh yes they do. That is why our Street Outreach team worked with more than 443 youth last year in Burlington, and over 549 came into our Drop-in center, and 89 stayed in our shelter. Most of the kids we work with do want to have a normal life. They want an education, to get their diploma, to have a career, to work, so they are able to support themselves. They want what we all want. In fact, that 20-year-old homeless female who was brave enough to speak up to legislators four years ago—she now works for us. She kicked drugs, graduated from high school and she is now attending college. She is one of our finest staff members, able to connect in a very dynamic way with today’s homeless youth. To me, she is living proof that the myths about homeless teens are just that—myths. Thank you for seeing past the myths and supporting our community’s homeless youth. Mark Redmond, Executive Director [email protected] 1 residential programs All youth residents are supported by the services at Spectrum One Stop. Shelter Spectrum staff work as a team with each youth to support them in stabilizing their life and building the necessary skills to live independently. They divide these skills into five core youth development areas: career 89 youth sheltered development, health (including physical & mental health/substance abuse), education, life skills, and recreational fun/free time. In each core Spectrum’s 12-bed emergency youth shelter provides young people area, the youth resident develops a set of goals with staff that they with temporary shelter while they begin the process of getting their would like to achieve. life back on track. When a young person comes to the shelter, they are assigned a professional team that works collaboratively in an effort to support them in their residential goals. This team consists of a residential Spectrum has staff member, mental health and substance abuse counselor, educational demonstrated that advocate, and an employment specialist. The young person receives a health screening, a mental health/substance abuse assessment, job they can take the kids support, educational support and life skills support and the team works that many have given together to develop a comprehensive plan. From here, they work together with the young person to articulate his/her goals and objectives, and to up on and help them support the youth in carrying out the work to achieve those goals. become productive and contributing members Maple Street Single Room Occupancy (SRO) to our society. We should Spectrum has developed all support their efforts 23 youth served the ability to meet young to see that no youth is people where they are, Spectrum’s Single Room Occupancy (SRO) residence provides nine private prevented from having with the help they need rooms and a common kitchen, dining, and living room for homeless a chance to succeed. youth making the transition to independent living. These young people most, and gives them a are single, homeless, low-income youth between the ages of 16 and TOM TortI way to move successfully 21, whose stay may be up to 21 months or until their 22nd birthday. President, Lake Champlain Chamber Commerce Spectrum collaborates with the Champlain Housing Trust that owns and to the next level, until they manages the property. The youth are responsible for paying a portion of are ready to make it in the rent for their room. In addition, Spectrum works with the Burlington Housing Authority, which provides youth who complete the program the community. Spectrum with a Section 8 certificate. works with kids who have fallen through the cracks, Murray Street Youth Co-op who have been written off, and whom everyone else 12 youth served has given up on. Spectrum Spectrum’s Youth Co-op is a group living program for six adolescent males holds out a hand and says: that provides a community-based transition from foster care to independent “there’s a place for you here; living. The Spectrum residential staff work as a team with each youth to support them in stabilizing their life and building the necessary skills to you can make it. live independently. This program divides these skills into five core youth JOANNE HEIDKAMP, MS, RD development areas: career development, health (including physical & Program Director mental health/substance abuse), education, life skills, and recreational Vermont Campaign to End fun/free time. In each core area, the youth resident develops a set of goals Childhood Hunger with residential staff they would like to achieve. All of the youth residents are involved with the Vermont Department for Children and Families, and monthly team meetings are conducted to coordinate care with the state guardian, family members and other treatment providers. This program offers residents a chance to attend public school and find a part-time job, as well as to explore healthy interests in the community. 2 3 support services Counseling 300 youth provided with mental health and substance abuse counseling services The Counseling Program provides individual outpatient services for adolescents, young adults and parents. Counselors use strength and evidence based theories and practices that have demonstrated efficacy with this age group. The services include: screening/assessment and treatment/counseling for substance use and mental health problems; coordinated medical treatment services and psychiatric evaluation; parent education, training, support; and counseling for families and caregivers; coordinated educational /vocational services; and assistance with accessing Medicaid and other entitlements and services. Education In April of 2008, Spectrum 50 young people provided with support for attaining their educational goals Adolescent Health Clinic youth and staff volunteered for a week helping rebuild Youth are our most homes devastated by The goal of the Education Program is to provide homeless, foster, and 264 youth served hurricanes in New Orleans. precious resource, at-risk youth with support to achieve their academic goals. We work with youth to: representing the future The Community Health Center of Burlington provides a no cost of our community. • Research and organize their previous school experience and academic medical clinic for homeless and at-risk youth in Chittenden County. credit history Located right next door to Spectrum One Stop at 179 Pearl Street, Ensuring that there • Assess their academic needs the services provided include: The caliber of service • Connect them to public high schools, vocational trainings, and GED are essential services • Physician clinic hours three hours a day, four days a week preparatory opportunities (e.g. Vermont Adult Learning, YouthBuild, provided by community • Counseling and case management for health related issues in place to assist Job Corps, Community College of Vermont) • Access to entitlements including Medicaid and Food Stamps members here in the • Advocate for appropriate placement, academic and social support youth who have met • Oral HIV, Hepatitis C, and pregnancy testing, counseling, and referrals within the institution, and increased access to necessary resources, Burlington area never with challenging • Health education workshops both financial and academic ceases to amaze me.