Spectrum Resources has served Des Moines’ disadvantaged inner-city communities since 1995. For the past six years, Spectrum has worked with the U.S. Department of Labor to serve those with prior adverse justice system involvement through its Reintegration of Ex-offender program, and its Beneficiary Choice and Rural/PRI initiatives. Through its work with the Department of Labor on behalf of ex-offenders, Spectrum Resources has been recognized nationally for its assistance to this challenged demographic. Spectrum was number one in job placement of convicted persons returning to the community, ranked in the top three percent for services rendered, and ranked in the top five percent for overall program performance. Since its inception, Spectrum has trained, employed, and placed hundreds of clients and positively impacted the lives of thousands of families. As a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), Spectrum pioneered several housing initiatives in the Des Moines Enterprise Zone, and from 1997 to 2002 completed 20 housing units that sold to low and moderate income families. Spectrum Resources is an accredited apprenticeship program under the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), and through its Apprenticeship Academy it has trained students in solar panel construction and installation, and is currently offering training in Urban Aquaponic Gardening.