The following is from an investigator in the Lamoille County Public Defender’s Office. She observed our batterer’s intervention group last week and sent her impressions to David Battick, one of our coordinators.

Good Morning David,

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know that I enjoyed meeting both Jailyn and Donna last night when I attended the group meeting. I thought they were very respectful with each other and each of the participants in the group. They both seemed to put a lot into the group and truly care about what they were doing and interested in teaching the participants. The men there likewise seemed to like the women and respect them. I didn’t get the impression they were on their best behavior since I was there observing. It was so drastically different since the last time I attended one of these meetings – long before Spectrum took over. It was nice that the facilitators were there early and then stayed after the meeting and made themselves available to the participants should they have questions or need help with their assignments.

I had my doubts about having co facilitators of the same sex but after talking with and observing these two women work, I have changed my mind somewhat. I now believe that it doesn’t make a difference if they are male and female facilitators but more about the personality and interaction between the co-facilitators and the participants. Donna and Jailyn seemed to really enjoy their jobs and working with the group. They seemed to be well prepared and knowledgeable. They do not appear to be push-overs either.

I told Donna and Jailyn that I was going to spread the word among my other oversight committee members to observe their group.

Paul Hochanadel, the Director of Spectrum’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs (VIPP), recently graduated from the Vermont Leadership Insitute, the state’s premier leadership development program. This program was created by the Snelling Center for Government in 1995 and consists of eight overnight sessions – a total of eighteen seminar days throughout Vermont. Congrads to Paul and all of the graduates!!

(Photo of all the graduates: Paul is in the bottom row)

Mary Lynne Isham works in St. Alban’s in our Violence Intervention and Prevention Program, and I sent her an email commending her on her recent annual evaluation.  The Dept. of Corrections officials commended her for her excellent work there, and I noted this in my message.  Here is her response back:

Hi Mark,

Thank you very much for your words of appreciation and for taking the extra time to send me the note.  It means a lot to me.  I love the work I do, I love being a part of offering people an opportunity for positive change, and I truly enjoy being present for their struggle.

Warmly,

Mary Lynne

This is from Brian Plisko, he has worked as our weekend drop-in coordinator for the last three years, is now moving to California:

I think by now, most people are aware of the fact that I am transitioning out of this gem of an agency and moving forward in my life to fulfill an exciting new chapter. I wish you all a very blessed spring and summer, with hope that you all feel as thankful and lucky as I have felt working for such a wonderful place with the most incredible people on the planet. Thank you all for this incredible experience.

I am far greater a better man having shared this time and space with you.

In peace,

Brian Plisko

“No worries, this is a stellar organization, this is why I do what I do for it.”

It is people like Jamie that make Spectrum what it is.

It was quite an ordeal making it to D.C. last night for the presentation on Capitol Hill naming Spectrum as Agency of the Year. The National Network for Youth put it on and it was worth the various planes, trains and automobiles (cab actually) I had to take during the winter storm to get there. There were a few hundred people there, youth workers from around the country, including Hawaii, California and Oregon. Very impressive, and several congressmen and women too.

I said that I accept the award on behalf of our incredibly dedicated staff, our volunteers and our board, but also on behalf of the young people whom we serve, that in many respects they are the real heros, most of them having come from backgrounds of abuse, poverty, neglect, abandonment, domestic violence and sexual abuse. “It takes incredible determination, tenacity, and will to come from that and create a life of happiness and meaning,” I said. “This award, it is for them.”

I received this email from one of our staff, he has been here about 4 years and has worked with troubled youth for over 30 years:

“I really mean it when I say that this is the greatest place to do the work I love most.”

“This article is a follow up to one that ran last year about one of our “mentees.” This is an incredibly inspirational family, they have some enormous challenges but face them ALL with dignity, determination and lots of love. I’ve come to really love this family in the years that I’ve worked with them.In addition, Alicia’s mentor—Terri Gerard—will be honored in January as our National Mentoring Month Mentor of the Year. I believe that Alicia will present her with this award.One of the many reasons that I LOVE my job!” -Deanna Cameron, Spectrum’s Volunteer Coordinator

Read her story, it truly is a dream come true.

… “She came home and said, ‘Mom, they’re just like us,’” said Binti Miller, Alicia’s grandmother. “I am happy that she doesn’t treat people as rich or poor, black or white, she just sees them as people. Because that’s what we are, we’re all people, and they’re all kids.”

Sharon Fraser works at our Co-Op residence for boys on Murray St, she had to take time off for medical reasons and many of our staff donated vacation days they had earned so she could still be paid. She gave me permission to print the email she sent to everyone today:

Hello everyone I would like to take a minute and says thanks to all of those who donated time to me while out on medical leave. This came to no surprise the amount of help that I received during this struggle of complicated medical issues. I can not put into words how thankful I am for every thing you all have done. I see how people pull together in this organization and it is an amazing place to be a part of. I truly thank you all very much and am here for any one who needs, again thank you, you folks and co-workers made it possible to go through my surgery and recovery with comfort knowing that I would be okay with time. I could not have done this with out the help.

Thanks so much!!!

Sharon Fraser

I got this from Christine Hayner, an excellent worker here who is going to pursue her MSW at UVM:

I am really going to miss working here, Spectrum is such a wonderful place to work and do work in our community! I have enjoyed working here, leaving was one of the hardest decision I had to make.

Believe me, we will miss Christine, she made a big difference in the lives of many youth and families in this county.