Please join Spectrum Youth & Family Services on Wednesday, November 10, for a screening of the HBO documentary “Addiction” and a panel discussion focusing on adolescent addiction, treatment and recovery.  Details are below:

What: Spectrum is hosting a showing of HBO’s documentary “Addiction.” Following the screening, a panel of community advocates and experts will explore the special issues around adolescent addiction, discuss obstacles to recovery and treatment, and offer solutions. The event is free for all participants.

When: Wednesday, November 10 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Where: Merril’s Roxy Theater, on the corner of College Street and South Winooski Avenue in downtown Burlington.

For More Information: Contact Mary Laskowski at 802-864-7423, ext. 390 or mlaskowski@spectrumvt.org. Learn more about the the documentary “Addiction.”

This is a picture of one of our Spectrum mentors, Rob Mann, here with his mentee Lorenzo.  They participated in the Spectrum Ride a few weeks ago, here they are after doing the 50K together!  Rob and Lorenzo have been matched since last December, and they are part of a collaboration Spectrum has with the Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen, in which we match adults who have Type 1 Diabetes with young people with the same.  These two obviously enjoy biking together, and when they aren’t doing that, I am told they can be found fishing, even ice fishing!

I am thankful to Rob for volunteering to serve as a mentor, he and our other 49 mentors are making a huge difference in the lives of so many Vermont youth.

Lorenzo & Rob after the 50K Ride

The five boys currently living in our Co-op need some specific articles of warm clothing for the coming Vermont winter. The list below contains each boy’s requested items as well as the appropriate size. Please consider helping with a donation of a new or gently used item from the list. Contact Bryonne Johnson at 802.864.7423 or bjohnson@spectrumvt.org about donations or with questions about the list. (All boys requested that clothing be dark colors.) Thank you for your support!

#1 – Coat XXL, Gloves Medium. Boots Size 11, Snow Pants Large, and Neck Warmer

#2 – Gloves “fingered not puffy”

#3 – Coat Medium, Gloves Medium Boots Size 13.5, Hat Large, and Neck Warmer

#4 – Coat XL (requests that it be professional looking), Gloves Medium, Hat Large, Snow Pants Large, and Winter Boots Size 12

#5 – Coat XL, Gloves Medium, Hat (requests Nepal hat), Snow Pants Large (requests no suspenders),  and Boots Size 10

This is a photo of Kathleen Smith, she worked part-time for us at Spectrum as a residential respite staff member. We mourn her recent passing. She was the victim of a homicide in Burlington the other day. She will be remembered fondly by our staff and the youth with whom she worked.

Thank you to Creative Habitat and the United Way of Chittenden County for collecting needed school and craft supplies for Spectrum youth!  As the school year started, United Way member agencies reported that many children did not have the supplies needed to start the year. Creative Habitat and the United Way of Chittenden County responded by creating the first annual “Craft United Club Goes Back to School” event to collect school and art supplies for United Way member agencies whose programs support local children, teens and families. Ninety pounds of supplies were collected and distributed to Spectrum Youth & Family Services, Association of Africans Living in Vermont, Inc., Boys & Girls Club of Burlington, Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) and King Street Center.

This is a great shot from our recent all-staff retreat in which we introduced our new Spectrum mission and vision statement.  We did it on the Spirit of Ethan Allen ship, a wonderful few hours and I believe staff left feeling excited and energized to be part of what we are accomplishing at Spectrum. Read the new mission and vision statements on the Spectrum website.

Spectrum Staff Aboard The Spirit of Ethan Allen

It was great to meet you and to see all of the outstanding work you and your team are doing. It makes us feel proud that we can be of assistance. We were all very impressed with everything. The world can use many more like you and your staff.

Over 140 riders and we raised more than $22,500 for Spectrum!  Wonderful Fall weather, great foliage, even our new friend Luis Guzmán showed up with his wife and four kids to ride.  Thanks to many volunteers who helped out before and during that day, we could not have succeeded without you!