We will continue working with the remaining youth staff to help them secure new jobs, and we will pay them for the original time period as planned.

The press release below has been updated to reflect these changes.

Burlington, VT — Spectrum Youth & Family Services announced today that its social enterprise, Detail Works, will close on September 18, 2025.

Detail Works launched nine years ago to provide meaningful employment opportunities for young people who faced barriers in traditional workplaces. In that time, it has helped dozens of youth build skills, confidence, and experience in the workforce.

The decision to close comes as Spectrum faces the same challenge confronting nonprofits nationwide: rapidly escalating employee health insurance costs. Over the past five years, these costs have more than doubled for the organization, creating unsustainable financial pressures that can no longer be absorbed without compromising other critical youth services.

“At its best, Detail Works created a supportive workplace for youth who needed a different kind of opportunity,” said Mark Redmond, Spectrum’s Executive Director. “We are deeply proud of what Detail Works has accomplished over the past nine years and grateful to the youth, staff, and community members who made it possible. This decision was not easy. Our commitment now is to ensure a smooth transition for those directly affected, while keeping Spectrum’s focus on our mission and sustaining the many programs that help young people thrive.”

Two full-time employees and ten youth staff will be affected by the closure. Spectrum is already working closely with each of the youth to find new employment opportunities. The organization will also provide financial assistance during the transition. Adult staff members are eligible to apply for open positions within other Spectrum programs.

Customers with unused gift cards may request a cash refund or choose to donate the value of their gift card back to Spectrum to support youth and families by submitting this form: spcvt.org/DWGiftCard.

Spectrum also asks that media outlets respect the privacy of the youth who have worked at Detail Works by not contacting them directly or filming the location.

No other Spectrum programs are affected by this decision, and the organization remains focused on its core mission of supporting and empowering youth, young adults, and families
across Vermont.

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About Spectrum Youth & Family Services
Located in Burlington and St. Albans, Vermont, Spectrum Youth & Family Services helps teens and young adults ages 14-24 meet their basic needs, access mental health counseling and
substance use disorder services, and get help with employment, education, and living independently to thrive as young adults. Learn more at www.spectrumvt.org.

The post UPDATE: Spectrum Youth & Family Services to Close Detail Works in September appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

“I can honestly say that I don’t know where I would be now if it weren’t for Spectrum welcoming me with open arms when no one else would.”

Spectrum youth are some of the most resilient people we’ve ever met. Whether they’re transitioning to adulthood after living in foster care, or pushing to get through school in a foreign language, or trying to overcome a childhood of trauma, they are determined to build a life for themselves.

What they need is someone to help them figure out what their goals are, to offer a friendly ear no matter what, and to let them dream big. And all of that was made possible this year because of our incredible community of donors, volunteers, and mentors. Below is an overview of what was accomplished because of your support. Thank you from all of our hearts, to yours. You can find a PDF version of the annual report here.

Basic Needs & Stable Homes

The Drop-In Center and Supported Housing programs were open for teenagers and young adults who needed a hot meal, clean clothes, a shower, or a place to sleep.

What’s new: A steady stream of federal and state funding cuts in recent years means that more and more, we rely on the generosity of people like you to keep our doors open. In 2018, 33% of the funding for our housing programs came from you, our donors. This year, that percentage rose to 48%, and in 2020, we expect it to be 59%. Thanks to you, we know we’ll be here for the next youth who needs help.

From the left: The Winter Warming Shelter. A group meeting at the Landing (short-term housing). A youth room at the Landing.

260 youth served at the Drop-In Center

33 youth served at the Winter Warming Shelter

50 youth served at the Landing (short-term transitional housing)

37 youth served through the Transitional Housing Program

Life & Survival Skills

This year, teenagers and young adults learned how to find and keep a job, get into and pay for school, budget for an apartment, and other critical life skills.

What’s new: Spectrum’s Multicultural Youth Program set up a Help Desk in the libraries of Burlington and Winooski High Schools to help multicultural youth with anything from tutoring, to driver’s ed, to preparing for life after high school. The Help Desks were staffed with assistance from our partners: the U.S. Committee on Refugees and Immigrants and Burlington’s Community Economic Development Office.

From the left: Youth staff at Detail Works, working with head detailer, Jasmine Wood. Yuol Herjok Yuol, Multicultural Youth Program outreach coordinator, speaking with senior Halima Said at Winooski High School’s Help Desk.

160 youth served through the Youth Development Program

112 youth served through Jump on Board for Success

283 youth served through the Multicultural Youth Program

14 youth served through Detail Works

Prevention & Intervention

Every day, teenagers and young adults are working through substance use and mental
health challenges with our therapists, befriending positive adult role models in our mentoring program, and practicing self-care through the health clinic housed in our building.

Spectrum mentors and mentees at ECHO Lake & Aquarium Center’s Community Science Night.

What’s new: In January 2019, the Vermont Department of Children and Families asked us to launch a new program called Compass, which works with youth who are at risk of going into foster care, becoming involved with the justice system, or otherwise facing a crisis. We offer intensive support to both the youth and the family to help them get their lives back on track.

319 youth served through Riverstone Counseling

106 youth served through Mentoring

794 youth served through the Pearl Street Youth Clinic

Thanks to all of the donors, volunteers and mentors that have supported Spectrum youth. It is because of you that they thrive. As one youth recently said,

“I’m so grateful. I’m so grateful for your donation. Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to have a good life, a better life that I want.”

The post A year of “you-are-not-alone” appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

Here is a recent letter from Mark Redmond, our executive director, on his experience visiting Detail Works, our social enterprise that teaches youth the soft skills they need to be successful in the workplace.

Last summer I ran into a young woman in our counseling waiting room who works for Detail Works, our social enterprise that teaches youth the soft skills they need to be successful.

Her name was Ariel. I asked how things were going and she said enthusiastically, “I just got promoted! I’ve never been promoted in my whole life!” She was beaming.

A couple of weeks ago, I stopped by the shop to check in with the youth staff there. These are just a few of the things they told me:

“Without this program I’d be pretty broke. Because I would go to another fast food
restaurant and work there and it would suck.”

“It’s really helping me be able to manage people better. I’m learning different ways to approach people and asking them to do stuff, but in ways that help them meet their needs too.”

And when I asked why customers should bring their cars to us:

“Because we actually try. We care about the car and try to make sure it actually looks nice. I mean we take care of it and we actually make it look a billion times nicer.”

“We put our heart into it. We try our best and we all work together to push out a great product. There’s a lot of love around here.”

If you’d like to give our youth—and your car—a fresh start, you can book an appointment online here. In the meantime, Ariel said it best:

“I’m so grateful for your donation. Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to have a good life, a better life that I want.”

The post It’s All in the Details appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

Happy Valentine’s Day, from all of us at Spectrum. Today and every day, we are so grateful that people like you open your hearts to our youth, to make sure they have a safe place to be, a supportive community, and the help they need to thrive.

Thank you for keeping our youth in your heart.

With love and gratitude,
The Spectrum Team

The post Thank you for keeping our youth in your heart. appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

Photo by James Buck.

Today’s the day!

Detail Works is moving to 22 Avenue C in Williston, VT (effective today, January 4th). Our youth staff has been able to increase our volume, and thanks to supporters like you, we are quickly outgrowing our space for car detailing.

We’re excited to move in to a space with two other auto-related businesses.

Click here to make an appointment at our new space.

See you there!

Questions? Contact Mike at (802) 497-2296 or mcioffi@detailworksvt.com.

The post Detail Works is Moving! appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

Governor Phil Scott cuts the ribbon with Detail Works employees, celebrating our official opening.

From our Executive Director, Mark Redmond:

I’m thrilled to let you know that last week was the grand opening of Detail Works, our car detailing business that helps our youth build skills to become successful employees.

As Gov. Scott put it that night, “They couldn’t accomplish all of this without all of your support.” And he’s right! Because of supporters like you, Detail Works is a reality. Thank you for believing in our youth.

“The biggest thing that I love about working here is knowing that each and every one of you supports all of us. You give us more support than we’ve had in our lives.” — Charles, a Detail Works employee.

From one happy customer this week: “They did a great job. My car hasn’t been this clean in years. Very complete and professional. Highly recommend this service.”

These appointments go fast, so make one now. And, while you’re there, check out our new website. As always, I’d love to know what you think.

Thanks,

Mark Redmond
Executive Director

The post Detail Works is open for business. appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

Check it out:

The post Spectrum Launches a Car Detailing Biz for Youth appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

Recently, Jack Thurston of NECN visited Detail Works, our new social enterprise. Detail Works is a deluxe car detailing shop that gives job skills and life skills to our youth and empowers them to practice having a job in a supportive environment.

Jack spoke with Charles, one young person who was homeless before he came to live in our supportive housing. Without Spectrum, Charles said, “I don’t think I’d be anywhere at this point.”

It’s thanks to the generous support of community members like you that Charles and other young people find supportive employment at Detail Works.

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