Thank you for your gifts and support during the 2018 year. This year marks our 45th year of service for the organization. Spectrum has taken on a significant role in the journey to improve the lives of many, having served more than 85 individuals from Winneshiek, Howard, Chickasaw, Fayette, and Allamakee counties last year. Many community members and longtime donors continue to support The Spectrum Network and believe in our mission. These gifts are critical to our organizations continued success.

As we look back, we were grateful to be included in on the first annual Pulpit to Pulpit 5K Fun Run/Walk event on July 4th. There was an estimated 365 members that participated and ventured out on the trails. We are grateful for the many sponsors and members that participated in support of the event.

Last fall we hosted a dinner for our Spectrum families. We held this in the common area of our new Spectrum Network Kitchen. We had the opportunity to share the new space, while having a wonderful meal with friends.

Please watch our Facebook page and website for upcoming events and activities for the community in 2019

Since the start of 2019, we have seen a lot of snow, coupled with many changes for Spectrum. We have examined our programs and reviewed our practices to promote growth and ensure quality customer service and financial sustainability. Changes include the opening of The Spectrum Network Kitchen, the closure of the Spectrum Thrift Store, and the reorganization of the company with new leadership. We are working to ensure that The Spectrum Network remains the trusted provider that you have come to expect.

Construction of The Spectrum Network Kitchen is complete. We invite you to call or ask for a tour. We are looking for partnerships to utilize the common space for meetings or special events, while having larger, separate sorting and cooking areas available in the back. Through these partnerships we hope to simultaneously increase revenue for programing and help meet the needs for those in the community, while providing opportunities for the individuals that we serve.

We are excited about the new leadership at Spectrum. Along with my assuming the role as executive director, each program has new leadership that specializes in their areas, promoting quality and access for those that we serve. The leadership includes: Lindsey Albers as our Supported Community Living Administrator; Dacia Inglett as our Employment/IVRS Administrator; Kristine Zweibahmer as the Day Habilitation Administrator; Allison Dotseth as our Prevocational and Small Group Supported Employment Administrator; Nicole Shimek as the Communications Administrator and Tina Bappe as the Organizational Administrator. We invite you to give us a call to ask questions and talk about our programs. In addition, we plan to reach out to the community to see if there are people in need of sup-port. We have a strong team that is supporting people with intellectual disabilities to obtain and maintain their independence.

Thank you to all of our staff, Board of Directors, community supporters, donors and volunteers. Being surrounded by a community like you helps as we persevere through an economic environment that is funding-challenged. Together we can work to improve the opportunities for so many that deserve a brighter future. Thank you for working with us as we strive to improve opportunities, integration and independence for those we serve.

– Jeannie Barness, Executive Director

    Posted December 28, 2019 in Executive Director Note
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