Month: June 2024

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

Each year, state and local housing finance agencies work to strengthen their communities with homeownership opportunities via Housing Finance Agency (HFA) loans, which help pair credit-qualified borrowers with downpayment and closing cost assistance.

HFA loans can open the door to homebuying for first-time and low-to-moderate homebuyers. U.S. Bank partners with more than 40 state and local housing finance agencies to originate and service these loans, stretching geographically from Alaska to Florida.

“At U.S. Bank, we’ve had a long-standing commitment to increase access to sustainable homeownership,” said James Coreno, HFA division manager at U.S. Bank. “By partnering with state and local agencies, together we can help address the homeownership and housing issues affecting their state or local area.”

In some cases, an HFA loan is originated by other local lenders that work closely with the local housing agencies offering the loan product in partnership with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae.

Once a loan is closed, U.S. Bank can then purchase and begin servicing it. This creates an opportunity for U.S. Bank to help the homeowner with questions or support surrounding their mortgage for the life of the loan, Coreno said.

“When we service an HFA loan, we become a trusted advisor to that client, whether they need help with setting up automatic payments and counseling on managing the escrow accounts for paying taxes and insurance or general loan servicing advise,” he said.

For instance, in Ohio, U.S. Bank collaborates with the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. Just this year, U.S. Bank has assisted 3,500 new clients who became first-time homebuyers with loans facilitated through the Ohio agency.

“The Ohio Housing Finance Agency is proud to partner with U.S. Bank and lenders throughout the state to help Ohioans realize their dreams of homeownership,” said Shawn Smith, executive director of the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.

“Our programs, which provide discounted mortgage rates and down payment assistance, help those borrowers that may be looking for a home but hesitate because of the high interest rates and the need for a down payment,” Smith said. “Working with U.S. Bank, we’re helping Ohioans navigate the homebuying process so they can be successful homeowners.”

With inventory and affordability challenges in today’s housing market, state and local housing finance agencies can be a resource for education and ultimately, down payment assistance and sustainable homeownership, he said.

In a previous article, I wrote about circularity and the importance of companies acknowledging the life cycle of their products. But I didn’t touch on EPR, Extended Producer Responsibility, by which producers of products are given the responsibility financially and, in some cases, physically for the disposal of their post-consumer products – including packaging, which is one of the most significant aspects of our planet’s waste problem. It begins when a company makes a product and sends it to market, but what really matters is how we deal with not just the packaging but also the product.

The United States still sees waste as just waste. We take no responsibility for the environmental, economic, or community impacts of our consumer economy. More products equal more packaging, and the packaging is sometimes more substantial than the product we buy. For example, I just purchased a new webcam, and if you look at the box, it’s beautiful – heavy cardboard, coated, multi-colored, smooth, and about three times the size of the camera inside. The camera was around $19—a fair price. But what’s the actual cost of that webcam when you think about its implications?

The $19 does not include the environmental impacts of the camera and what its packaging will undoubtedly have on our environment. What happens to the camera once it stops working? Is the box coated with a forever chemical or PFAS? Is the plastic shell that holds the camera in place recyclable or will it break down into microplastics? The cost of this webcam to the environment has ballooned, and we will bear that cost – not just at the register but for years to come as that packaging breaks down in a landfill or is burned in an incinerator. We all have a role to play, and as consumers, we have the upper hand. Is a webcam that comes in an envelope enclosed in a recycled box with no flare any better than one that is entombed in a bright and fun package? Or as consumers would we be willing to pay a few dollars more to help defray the cost of the lifecycle of the camera? We need to think and shop differently.

Changing Behaviors from Factory Floor to the Shopping Cart

As much as the manufacturer is responsible for the EPR of their product, the American consumer has to change their behaviors too. In a report published by McKinsey & Company in 2020, they noted that consumers from the U.S. who took part in their ten-country survey on consumers’ attitude towards sustainable packaging “rank sustainability relatively low as a buying criterion among end-use factors.” Yet, they also noted that “U.S. consumers are nonetheless highly concerned about the impact of packaging in general…Consumers are willing to pay more for green, but they would also buy additional sustainably packaged products if more of them were available and they were labeled differently.”

This says that there is room to improve from company to the consumer. Just as companies have used branding to encourage consumers to pick its products, using sustainability as a tool for consumer engagement is one that can help increase profits and do less harm to the environment. We are all in this together.

The good news: companies are taking note, and those that don’t are at risk of being left behind. Last year the Ellen MacArthur Foundation released a statement sharing that more than 100 businesses, NGOs, universities, and financial investment groups have committed to addressing EPR in their packaging and design. Notably, the list includes companies like Unilever, a founding member of the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance, as well as Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and hundreds more of the world’s most recognized brands.

Leading the Way

Nestlé is a global brand leader in the food and beverage industry. In my previous article on circularity, I referenced an essay by Kenneth Goulding that referred to a linear economy as the “Cowboy” and the circular economy as the “Spaceman,” and Nestlé is past the lift-off stage and is in orbit. They have fully embraced the need to move to a circular model for its business.

According to their website, they have outlined a list of goals to be achieved by 2025 in support of a waste-free future that includes:

All of its packaging will be fully recyclable, reusable, or compostableReduce the use of virgin plastic by one thirdRedesigning packaging that is more “fit for purpose” by removing packaging elements that are problematic or unnecessaryUndertake ambitious actions to effectively recycle or compost 50% of plastic packagingAverage recycled content or responsibly sourced bio-based content in plastic packaging will be 30%

Another company leading the way is The Coca-Cola Company. In August of 2021 they shared an article on LinkedIn about why they are supporting the EPR movement. They shared, “At The Coca-Cola Company we know it is OUR responsibility to help care for our planet. That is why we are working to lead the beverage industry by doing our part to address the global packaging crisis.“

Their goals stated in their 2021 A World Without Waste Report include:

Making all of their packaging recyclable by 2025 and making their bottles and cans with an average of 50% recycled materials by 2030Collect and recycle the equivalent of a bottle or can for everyone they sell by 2030Partner with organizations, governments, industry and their customers to create a debris-free environment

The Coca-Cola Company’s latter goal really stands out because we can’t save our planet if we are not all working together.

Final Thoughts

Companies have choices in how they bring their products to market, but consumers need to realize that their choices matter even more. Consumers can choose to buy products that are more sustainable and better for the environment, and they want to. We need companies to realize that value proposition, so they invest their advertising and marketing dollars in imploring that sustainability benefit because consumers are asking for it. When we discard packaging, and if we don’t recycle it properly, where does it go? In the U.S., it likely ends up in landfills or, worse – incinerators.

Finally, there is a human toll on how we currently discard our waste. Individuals and families that live in proximity to a landfill (where according to the EPA, harmful chemicals can leach into the groundwater) or incinerator (that can emit lead, and according to the Roadmap on Carcinogens, an international NGO, lead exposure can lead to increased risk of serious health consequences.

Here’s the dirty little secret about incineration that we don’t often talk about, but it must be noted that nearly 80% of incinerators are located in marginalized and underserved communities. According to an article in The Guardian, that equates to roughly 1.6 Million Americans. If we want to address these enormous inequities, we need to do so as a collective.

Extended Producer Responsibility is more than just ensuring that we use every product at its highest value for the longest time. It’s now a moral responsibility. If we don’t all agree to change our ways and look at how we view waste and recycling – our planet’s future is dim.

I choose to believe otherwise. We all want a planet where the air is breathable, the water is drinkable, and the soil produces nutritious and abundant food. The only path forward is by working together to build a more resilient climate for future generations.

— John Hanselman, Chief Strategy Officer, Vanguard Renewables

ST. PAUL, Minn., and CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 26, 2024 /3BL/ – 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) today announced the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist) 26 state merit winners and four honorable mention recipients. As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge features outstanding innovations from young scientists that demonstrate the power of science to improve the world.

Each year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge recognizes the grand prize winner, 10 finalists, up to 51 state merit winners, and four honorable mentions – nationwide, including Washington D.C. – who have exemplified a passion for using science to solve everyday problems and improve the world around them.

To enter, students in grades 5-8 submitted a one-to-two-minute video explaining an original idea using science to help solve an everyday problem. All entries were reviewed by a diverse group of judges and evaluated on their creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication skills. Videos were recorded using a cell phone or digital camera and were not judged on production skills. This year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge offered innovative ways for students to engage in science through new entry topics, including robotics, home improvement, automotive, safety, AR/VR, and climate technology.

“The projects submitted to the 3M Young Scientist Challenge showcase how science is critical to driving progress and delivering sustainable solutions. All of these students are already making the world a better place through science, and we applaud each for their innovations,” said Torie Clarke, EVP & Chief Public Affairs Officer at 3M.

The 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge recognizes the 26 state merit winners and the four honorable mention recipients, which were selected for their passion for science, innovation, and superb communication skills. Each state merit winner receives special recognition on the challenge website, along with a prize pack.

The 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge State Merit Winners are listed below in alphabetical order by state:

[Alabama] Sophie Zou, Alabama School of Fine Arts, Private 

[California] Aryan Agarwal, Peter Hansen Elementary School, Lammersville Unified School District

[Colorado] Natalie Fowler, Nevin Platt Middle School, Boulder Valley School District

[Connecticut] Sashrika Das, East Lyme Middle School, East Lyme Public School District

[Delaware] Riddik Sri Sayta Neetipalli, Cab Calloway The School of Arts, Red Clay Consolidated School District

[Florida] Aria Badganov Martinez, Oakstead Elementary, Pasco School District

[Georgia] Akshadha Mehta, Dodgen Middle School, Cobb County School District

[Hawaii] Elliott Mannis-Young, Punahou School, Private School

[Iowa] Srihari Kumaresan, Johnston Middle School, Johnston Community School District

[Kentucky] Manit Gupta, Meyzeek Middle School, Jefferson School District

[Maryland] Sathvik Dasari, Hallie Wells Middle School, Montgomery County Public School District

[Massachusetts] Johan Coisman, Weston Middle School, Weston Public Schools

[Michigan] Lakshya Matele, Larson Middle School, Troy School District

[Minnesota] Margaret Hoffman, Olson Middle School, Bloomington Public School District

[Missouri] Macy Sowell, Barnwell Middle School, Francis Howell School District

[New Hampshire] Sujit Sathyamurthi, Fairgrounds Middle School, Nashua School District

[New Jersey] Reanna Bhuyan Patel, Princeton Day School, Private School District

[North Carolina] Reva Khaire, Randolph Middle School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District

[Ohio] Samhita Paranthaman, William Mason Middle School, Mason School District

[Oregon] Daivik Yenduri, Stoller Middle school, Beaverton School District

[Tennessee] Shrey Arora, West Collierville Middle School, Collierville School District

[Texas] Adel Sisy, STEM Academy, Manvel Junior High, Alvin Independent School District

[Utah] Kethan Reddy, Challenger School Sandy, Private School

[Virginia] Aneruddha Das, Eagle Ridge Middle School, Loudoun County Public School District

[Washington] Nolawi Bruk, Leota Middle School, Northshore School District

[Wisconsin] Spencer Robinson, Golda Meir Upper Campus, Milwaukee Public School District

For the fourth time in competition history, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge also recognized entrants with an honorable mention award. These projects were selected for their unique and innovative concepts and effective communication skills. The four 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge honorable mention recipients are as follows in alphabetical order by last name:

Daryn Do, Brookline, Massachusetts, Roland Hayes School, Brookline School DistrictBrody Jaworski, Keller, Texas, Indian Springs Middle School, Keller ISDAnika Jha, Arcadia, California, First Avenue Middle School, Arcadia Unified School DistrictVarun Panchagnula, San Jose, California, Stratford Middle School, Private School

To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet the 2024 competitors, visit YoungScientistLab.com.

“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge nurtures student curiosity by challenging them to think big and innovate for a better world,” said Amy Nakamoto, Executive Vice President of Social Impact at Discovery Education. “We are excited to support this effort to demonstrate students’ ability to use science to create a better world.”

In its 17th year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge continues to inspire and challenge middle school students to think creatively and apply the power of STEM to discover real-world solutions. America’s Top Young Scientists have gone on to give TED Talks, file patents, found nonprofits, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and exhibit at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been named TIME Magazine’s first Kid of the Year, featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider, and have appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and more.

The award-winning competition anchors the 3M and Discovery Education partnership program Young Scientist Lab, which provides no-cost dynamic digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All the resources are also available on Discovery Education Experience, the award-winning K-12 learning platform.

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

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About 3M 
3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what’s possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet. Learn how we’re working to improve lives and make what’s next at 3M.com/news

About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and corporate partnerships, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts 
Tim Post 
3M 
Email: tpost3@mmm.com

Grace Maliska 
Discovery Education 
Email: gmaliska@discoveryed.com

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

COLUMBUS, Ga., June 25, 2024 /3BL/ — Legendary Hall of Fame Athlete turned University of Colorado Boulder Head Football Coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders joined Aflac, a leading provider of supplemental health insurance in the U.S., on Monday, to deliver My Special Aflac Ducks at Children’s Hospital Colorado. The social robotic duck provides comfort to pediatric patients with cancer and sickle cell disease by helping them prepare for medical procedures, communicate their feelings, practice distraction techniques and more. From championships and personal achievements on the gridiron to both the Pro and College Football Halls of Fame, Coach Prime matches his on-field passion with his desire to give back to the community.

“This is my second My Special Aflac Duck delivery, and I’m so honored and humbled to spend some time with these incredibly strong and brave kids,” said Coach Prime. “I jumped at the chance to bring joy to these patients and their families in the Colorado community. These deliveries with Aflac are a BLESSING. I’m talking about inspiration and being a part of something greater than myself. It’s rewarding beyond words.”

My Special Aflac Duck is distributed free of charge to children ages 3 and up who are diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease. The robotic companion was designed in consult with more than 100 children, families and medical professionals in partnership with Empath Labs to produce the comforting, lifelike movements, medical play and many more features that bring cheer. My Special Aflac Duck was the focus of a three-year clinical study spearheaded by researchers at Emory University and conducted at eight hospitals across the country. The study, released in April, shows that My Special Aflac Duck helps pediatric patients with cancer cope with treatment-related distress and anxiety. The duck was named one of Time Magazine’s 50 Best Inventions and named Best in Show at CES and South by Southwest in 2018.

The pediatric patients went on a scavenger hunt through the hospital before the children were surprised with their new, cuddly companions to keep, complete with a birth certificate where the child names their new friend.

“The joy on the faces of the kids and their caregivers at Children’s Hospital Colorado, knowing they will find comfort, is at the heart of the My Special Aflac Duck program,” said Aflac Executive Garth Knutson. “The recent clinical study confirms what we’ve always believed — the duck helps reduce stress and anxiety for children facing cancer and sickle cell disease. This resource, gifted today with Coach Prime, exemplifies the spirit of giving back and offering support where it’s needed most.”

Since My Special Aflac Duck was first introduced in 2018, Aflac has delivered nearly 31,000 ducks to children in the United States, Japan and Northern Ireland, and the company has worked with more than 500 hospitals, in addition to working directly with families, to distribute these ducks. In 2022, Aflac expanded the program to include sickle cell patients and, to date, nearly one-third of My Special Aflac Ducks are sickle cell-specific. Aflac’s commitment to pediatric cancer and blood disorders spans decades with Aflac employees, independent agents and The Aflac Foundation Inc. contributing more than $182 million to childhood cancer and blood disorders treatment and research since 1995.

“It was incredible to have Coach Prime visit our patients and help provide them with a special scavenger hunt experience,” said Christy Dobson, Vice President of Board and Community Relations at Children’s Hospital Colorado. “His presence and the engaging activities provided a much-needed boost to our patients’ spirits.”

Health care providers, support organizations and families can order My Special Aflac Duck free of charge for children 3 years or older who have been diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease at myspecialaflacduck.com.

ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED 
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than 68 years to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.1 In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance in terms of policies in force. The company takes pride in being there for its policyholders when they need us most, as well as being included in the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for 18 consecutive years (2024), Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for 23 years (2024) and Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year (2023). In addition, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021 and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (2023) for 10 years. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn’t cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under “Sustainability.”

1 LIMRA 2023 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report

Media contacts: 
Amy Persons, apersons@aflac.com 
Jon Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com

Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com

Aflac | Aflac New York | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

SOURCE Aflac 
 

ILFI is enhancing its renowned carbon certification program with support from corporate giants Amazon, JLL, JPMorgan Chase, and Prologis. This work aims to update and relaunch the program, ensuring that it remains the industry’s most rigorous and continues to drive progress in building decarbonization.

June 26, 2024 /3BL/ – The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) Zero Carbon Certification offers organizations a valuable tool to demonstrate credible climate action. Certified buildings are third-party verified after a 12-month performance period to be energy efficient, combustion-free (or actively phasing out combustion), powered by renewables, and built with lower embodied carbon than typical buildings. Launched in 2018, ILFI’s program is considered the leading performance-based certification program for embodied and operational carbon in the real estate sector. The current version of the certification is geared toward new construction and major renovation projects.

Now, ILFI is advancing the research and the standard — and collaborating with four industry-leading companies to help make it happen. Amazon, JLL, JPMorgan Chase, and Prologis are providing support and expertise as ILFI develops the next version of the program, including the addition of a certification pathway for existing assets.

With support from these companies, ILFI is developing new guidance, including explicit guidance for existing building assets seeking certification without undertaking major capital projects. With greater applicability for more projects, the program update will drive further adoption of the market toward lower carbon buildings and operations. Through this collaboration, ILFI will extend its certification program to apply to existing assets, further accelerating credible decarbonization efforts in the real estate sector.

“This project represents a critical step forward for the building decarbonization movement,” says ILFI CEO Lindsay Baker. “We are thankful to be working with leading companies to craft these clear and rigorous pathways to achieve meaningful climate action. With the new standard, we aim to accelerate change and enable large-scale adoption and impact, and rise to the challenge that the UN Paris Agreement calls for. As noted by the Buildings Breakthrough announcement at COP28, the adoption of clear carbon accounting and verification methods is critical to transforming our industry. This work is urgent and possible. We are proud to be embarking on this project with our corporate supporters and in alignment with other certification and standards organizations around the world.”

Amazon 
“Amazon is proud to support ILFI in updating their verification program to include guidance for existing buildings,” said Chris Roe, Amazon’s Director of Worldwide Environment, Carbon. “There are few sustainable building certification options that focus on decarbonizing existing buildings, and we see ILFI’s new program as important for the industry and for companies such as Amazon as we work toward meeting our Climate Pledge commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.”

JLL 
“Based on our research, we know that 80% of existing office buildings will still be in use in 2050, presenting a critical need for us to focus on decarbonizing our current portfolio and supporting our clients in meeting their goals,” said Erin Meezan, Chief Sustainability Officer at JLL. “There are multiple pathways to make buildings more sustainable and meet net-zero goals, and this new certification will increase transparency and accountability around decarbonization efforts. We’re thrilled to collaborate with such esteemed partners and contribute our industry expertise to an initiative that will accelerate action across the commercial real estate industry.”

JPMorgan Chase 
“We are proud to have worked with ILFI over the past two years on our Zero Carbon pilots, including the world’s first Zero Carbon Certified branch. JPMorgan Chase is now considering Zero Carbon standards alongside other sustainability and responsible design practices for many of our upcoming retail and corporate projects,” said Raymond Quartararo, Managing Director, Head of Global Design and Construction, JPMorgan Chase. “We have long been an advocate for advancing more scalable standards, and with this new effort, we can do so in a way that advances the real estate sector’s decarbonization journey while supporting the communities and customers we serve.”

Prologis 
“Decarbonizing our industrial real estate portfolio is both a challenge and an opportunity to drive meaningful climate action at scale,” said Susan Uthayakumar, Chief Energy and Sustainability Officer at Prologis. “By collaborating with ILFI and other leading businesses, we aim to establish new guidance to help companies achieve verifiable carbon reductions for new and existing buildings. This partnership will help our customers in their sustainability journey as well as help Prologis reach our net zero goals by 2040.”

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ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL LIVING FUTURE INSTITUTE (ILFI) 
The International Living Future Institute’s mission is to cultivate a society that is socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative. To do this, the organization envisions a living future and shows that it works better in practice and policy. ILFI is premised on the belief that providing a compelling vision for the future is needed to reconcile humanity’s relationship with the natural world. ILFI’s programs have shaped more than 55 million square feet of real estate development across the United States and around the world. Learn more at http://www.living-future.org.

MEDIA CONTACT 
Kira Gould 
kiragould@kiragould.com

Through generous funding from KeyBank Foundation, the Pomerleau Family Foundation, the University of Vermont Medical Center, and many individual donors who contributed to a special matching fund, Spectrum Youth and Family Services of Burlington, VT has been able to make its seasonal warming shelter a year-round resource for homeless youth. On May 14th, Spectrum officially expanded the shelter operations from seasonal to year-round programming to fill a critical gap in the local continuum of care, offering a youth-friendly overnight option when other shelter beds are full.

“We are pleased to join forces with the Pomerleau Family Foundation and other donors to help expand the vital resources that Spectrum provides,” said KeyBank Market President, Tony DiSotto. “KeyBank is a long-time supporter of Spectrum and their mission to improve the lives of disadvantaged youth and young adults in our community.” KeyBank Foundation has provided a three-year $225,000 grant to support the Nightly Shelter.

Spectrum Youth and Family Services opened a winter warming shelter in November of 2017 to provide more beds for youth facing homelessness in the harshest months. The warming shelter was a seasonal shelter, open from November through March 31.

Over the past two years, however, Spectrum’s Basic Needs Director, Christina Brown says she has been handing out more sleeping bags and tents than ever before year-round – in fact, she can’t keep them in stock. To meet the growing need for safe youth shelter in Burlington, Spectrum’s warming shelter was re-named the Nightly Shelter and is now open year-round.

The Nightly Shelter is a low-barrier, 10-bed emergency shelter that is open every day from 5pm to 9am. Youth can then access the Burlington Drop-In Center during the day for meals, laundry, clothing, and case management.

Many of the youth who access the Nightly Shelter are new to Spectrum, and each year several youths move from the Nightly Shelter into the Landing or Pearl Street Residence, significantly increasing their odds of moving on to permanent housing.

Spectrum Youth & Family Services helps teens and young adults ages 14-24 meet their basic needs, access mental health counseling and substance use disorder, and get help with employment, education, and living independently to thrive as young adults. To learn more, visit www.spectrumvt.org.