The Pearl Street Residence will be a transitional residential home serving as a bridge to independent living for youth between the ages of 18-21 who left foster care at age 16 or older and are in need of housing.  

The program will provide a structured community that supports residents to develop independent living skills, sustained employment and financial savings, as well as on-going educational pursuits.  The program provides opportunities to reinforce skills already mastered and to identify skills which need to be develop and strengthened in order to be successful living independently. 

The Pearl Street Residence will have eight private rooms, shared bathrooms, and common spaces for a kitchen, dining and living room.  All youth will enter into an individual housing lease and will be responsible for paying an adjusted amount of rent based on income.

Youth who are successful in completing this program will be eligible for a Section 8 certificate which is provided through a collaboration with the Burlington Housing Authority, and can be used anywhere in the continental United States. 

In the last several years, Spectrum has seen an increase in the number of youth in need of this service, and while our other residence on Maple Street remained full, with a constant waiting list, we were frustrated at not being able to support more youth to take this important step in their lives toward independence.  This began our search to seek out funding for a second residence.

In the summer of 2011, the foundation of Ms. Doris Buffett, The Sunshine Lady Foundation, chose Spectrum as the recipient of a $200,000 challenge grant.  Our community responded incredibly generously and, through the assistance of over 230 individuals, businesses, and organizations, we were able to secure enough funds to create a second sustainable residence.

Construction is now in progress at 177 Pearl Street, and we anticipate that

the new home will welcome its first residents in the late spring of 2012.

For more information contact:
Bryonne Johnson, Residential Director
802.864.7423 x301
bjohnson@spectrumvt.org