At Spectrum, our mission is to empower teenagers, young adults, people with a history of violence, and their families to make and sustain positive changes through prevention, intervention, and life skills services. Founded in 1970, Spectrum is a nationally recognized leader in helping youth ages 12-26 and their families turn their lives around. Each year, we serve 2,000 teenagers, young adults, people with a history of violence, and their family members. Our programs include: Basic Needs and Supportive Housing: We provide necessities like a warm place to get a meal or do laundry, along with an emergency shelter and longer term transitional housing for homeless or at-risk youth and those in or aging out of foster care. Skills Programs: We offer coaching and mentoring for young people on basic life and survival skills, such as getting an education, finding and keeping a job, finding a place to live, or getting a driver’s license so that they can transition successfully to adulthood. Prevention and Intervention: Through counseling, we help young people address substance abuse, mental health issues, patterns of violence, and other critical issues that stand in the way of a happy, thriving adulthood. A mentoring program helps build the self-esteem of youth.