Spectrum's 12-bed emergency youth shelter provides young people between the ages of 16-22 with temporary shelter.  The Shelter is a short-term housing option that offers safety, basic needs and access to resources and support while youth develop a plan to address their immediate needs and future goals.

While the Shelter is a voluntary program, youth are expected to follow the basic rules of the Shelter and be engaged in, and complete, the goals outlined in their plan of care which focuses on the 5 core developmental areas:

• Health (including physical and mental health/substance abuse)
• Job skill development and career planning
• Education planning
• Life skills
• Productive community/social time (healthy fun and free time)

Youth who do so will learn skills to help them transition to more stable, long-term housing.  Youth who are successful at the Shelter have the option to move to the Spectrum Single Room Occupancy (SRO) where their housing, continued support and other services will continue.

In 2009, 119 youth residents were sheltered.