Programs
A MULTITUDE OF SERVICES OFFERED
After 39 years, Sanctuary continues to seek ways to improve the quality of life for Guam's youth. We develop and establish effective programs that cater to their well-being. We currently offer these services:
24-hour Crisis Hotline
Sanctuary provides a 24-hour community response and crisis intervention service to youth and families. We offer mediation and supportive counseling to diffuse conflicts. Our philosophy is to encourage family involvement to improve a healthy home life. Through our Hotline, we also refer other appropriate agencies who may further help the client.
Youth Shelters
If a youth must seek refuge, he or she may temporarily stay in the Emergency Shelter, Transitional Living Program (TLP) or Sagan Na' Homlo. An initial assessment is conducted by the Caseworker to determine if shelter accommodation are necessary. The parent or guardian and youth must voluntarily agree to the decision of shelter referral. Each shelter provides specific goals for the youth.
Casework & Counseling
Our case management services are provided to youth in shelter with no cost to the family. A caseworker is appointed to a youth and are available for either short or long term stays. They set goals which includes planning a path towards reunification with the family or taking steps that encourage independence. The case managers work closely with clients to ensure the most optimal route is taken.
AfterCare Program
When our clients exit our shelters, Sanctuary offers additional aftercare service to monitor the first few months of reunification or independence. This time period is crucial in establishing long-term success where the youth may need additional support or encouragement. Case managers may visit the youth once a week to do follow-up progress reports in school, relationship with family and any other difficulties they may encounter during their transition.
COPED
This program concentrates on the community in achieving effective behavior change and providing preventative projects. Through the COPED Program, presentations about youth related issues are conducted in numerous public and private schools within the island. An aanual conference is hosted to involve participation from both parents and their youth.
AmeriCorps Program
Mentoring, co-facilitation of groups, shelter assistance and community services are just some of the activities our AmeriCorps Volunteers perform. With the current count of 42 members, our AmeriCorps program remains the top of the pack in the region.
Supportive Counseling
Monday through Thursday afternoons and evenings are reserved for support groups available to the community. These support groups are offered to the youth but we have established adult groups as well.We firmly uphold confidentiality with every client. Most of our support groups are absolutely free. Check out our schedule!
Youth Embracing Sanctuary (YES) Crew
Widely known as YES Crew, it is comprised of youth ages 12 - 21 with interest in volunteerism and active youth advocacy.The members assist in community events as well as take active roles in conferences sponsored by Sanctuary. The youth are encouraged to be positive role models and empower their peers. The youth group is under the COPED program.
Rural Host Homes
Sanctuary recognizes that Guam needs to strengthen the support services that are not readily available to Guam's youth. RHH Project works to enhance the current foster care system by encouraging families in the community to volunteer their homes to host runaway and homeless youth in need of temporary emergency shelter.
Street Outreach Program
SOP seeks out and assists youth who are unable to have access to a safe and stable housing environment or whom are simply homeless. The program aims to help teenagers who are runaway, homeless or street bound; who are not provided basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing and a safe environment needed to foster healthy development.
Relationship Intelligence Program
The adolescent years are the most confusing stage of an individual's life. This is the stage when people begin their curiousity to explore relationships and develop emotional ties with one another. Relationship Intelligence aims to educate youth on the value of healthy relationships and making good premarital choices.
Fan Macho'cho Healing Farms Project
Sanctuary's Socio-Economic division, Fan Macho'cho means "To work" in Chamorro language. The program goal is to assist youth who are without high school diploma or unemployed become socially and economically independent. Through free agriculture and small business workshops, participants under this program learned about entrepreneurship, basic management of micro-business while establishing relationships within the community. After more than 3 years, this program helped over 175 youth. Currently, Fan Macho'cho temporarily caters to youth within the shelter teaching life skills and values such as responsibilty, discipline and prioritization.