1. Crisis Intervention / Casework

Sanctuary provides immediate 24-hour community response and crisis  intervention to youth and families in need. The 24-hour crisis hotline provides immediate mediation and supportive counseling to diffuse conflicts, while also making referrals to other service providers as appropriate.

2. Shelters

Co-ED Emergency Shelter

 

The CO-ED Emergency Shelter is a community-based program specifically designed to assist runaway, homeless, neglected, abused, and other similarly troubled youth and their families. The program provides a 24-hour shelter as a safe home for runaway, homeless and victims of abuse for up to 30 days during which case management services are provided in resolving their issues of conflict in times of crisis at the same time keeping focus on strengthening the family as a collective unit. The case management unit includes crisis intervention, individual program planning, group and family counseling, aftercare, outreach and referrals. The primary purpose of the program is to

1) provide a viable temporary safe alternative to the natural home, detention center or the streets; and
2) to facilitate the problem-solving process of case management by lowering the level of tension in the family to a point in which constructive dialogue may begin.

CO-ED Shelter Funding Sources

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) Administration for Children & Families Basic Center Program Grant
Office of the Attorney General of Guam Victim Assistance Program Grant
Department of Youth Affairs
Department of Public Health and Social Services, Bureau of Social Services Administration
Judiciary of Guam

 

Sagan Linala Transitional Living Program

 

 The Transitional Living Program, now referred to as “Sagan Linala”, which means “A Place for a Better Life” in Chamorro language, is an 18-month program for youth, ages 16-22, including pregnant and/or parenting youth  with up to 3 dependents, ages 0-9, who are transitioning towards  independence and self-sufficiency. Throughout the 18 months, the youth will engage in life-skills training and services such as supportive counseling and an individualized program plan. The overall goal of this program is to help youth achieve independence and self-sufficiency to prevent long-term dependency on social services.

“Sagan Linala” TLP Funding Source:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) Administration for Children & Families Transitional Living Program Grant

 

Guma Manhoben – Coming Soon

 

Sanctuary is in negotiation with Guam Continuum of Care Permanent Housing – Rapid Rehousing Program for Homeless Youth to implement the Guma Manhoben Project for homeless youth ages 16-24, including pregnant/parenting youth with up to 3 children dependents, ages 0-9.  This program aligns with the goals of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the goals of the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority, including the goals of the Guam Homeless Coalition. Sanctuary is committed to providing homeless prevention/intervention programs to youth.

PHP Funding Source:

Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority – Guam Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Assistance Program

 

Sagan Na’Homlo Residential Treatment Facility

 

The Sagan Na’homlo (A Place for Healing) Residential Treatment Facility is the only residential treatment facility for youth in the Micronesian region. Sagan Na’homlo is a three to six months residential program for chemically-dependent youth, ages 12 through 18. Sagan Na’homlo youth live in a therapeutic community and progresses at their own pace as they are empowered to move closer towards a sober and healthier lifestyle. Sagan Na’homlo offers services that include group and individual counseling for substance abuse, early recovery skills, relapse prevention, emotional wellness, and weekly counseling and adolescent education.

Sagan Na’homlo Funding Source:

Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services

3. Supportive Services / Counseling Groups

For more information regarding supportive services, please call our office at 475-7101 for scheduling

Youth Groups

 

Youth Anger Management

Youth who participate in the Youth Anger Management (YAM) groups learn about the definition of anger and how this emotion can affect the body, mind, and overall well-being. This 10-week session program enables youth to acquire new skills to help control anger. The topics in these sessions are varied but include dealing with rage and hostility towards others, controlling techniques to manage anger effectively and address coping mechanisms to allow youth to resolve problems. YAM groups are offered every Tuesday from 4:30 pm-5:30 pm at Sanctuary’s Main Office and is also offered every Thursday from 4:30-5:30 pm at the Astumbo Senior Citizen’s Center.

Tobacco Cessation / Nicotine Education (TC/Ed)

TC/Ed courses are designed to educate participants about the negative consequences of tobacco and nicotine usage in all forms (i.e. chewing tobacco, smoking tobacco, cigarettes, etc.). Prior to facilitating the course, the trainers will conduct an assessment on each participant in an effort to gauge the extent of the overall impact that nicotine and tobacco usage has had on their  individual and collective lives. Sanctuary is committed to emphasizing the importance and value of living a healthy and drug-free life. The gravity by which our youth is affected by tobacco is quite severe, as it has a high potential of immeasurable damage to one’s quality of health and life. TC/Ed group sessions are offered every Wednesday from 4:30 pm-5:30 pm for a period of 10 weeks.

Drug & Alcohol Screening and Assessment

Screening is scheduled for Saturdays at 9:00am on a first come first serve basis. Assessment and services are offered at Sanctuary by individual clinical appointments available from early morning through the evening hours of 8:00 p.m. The assessment process includes gathering pertinent information from the parents or legal guardians, in addition to generating a “SNAP” (strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences) assessment.

Intensive Outpatient Groups (High Hopes) & Outpatient Groups (Pathways)

Sanctuary’s certified clinical team provides Intensive Outpatient (IOP) services, also known as “High Hopes”, and the Outpatient services also known as “Pathways”, to adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17. The clinical team utilizes both Motivational Enhancement and Cognitive Behavioral Therapeutic Approaches in engaging, educating and treating adolescents along with the comprehensive evidence-based program known as “The Matrix Model for Teens and Young Adults”.

Treatment topics include alcohol, tobacco, and other drug education; physiological and psychological effects of alcohol and drugs on the individual and on their family support system; the physical and psychological recovery process; relapse prevention; medical aspects of addiction; HIV/AIDS/STD education; introduction to twelve steps; social/legal consequences; mindfulness; and self-care.

Program services delivered with fidelity include:

Individual and Family Sessions
Early Recovery Skills Group
Relapse Prevention Group
Drug and Alcohol Education Groups
Family Education Group
Monthly Youth and Family Clean and Sober Activities
Drug and Alcohol Testing

Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient Groups are funded by the Guam Behavioral Health & Wellness Center. Professional services are provided by Sanctuary to provide outpatient and intensive outpatient substance treatment for adolescent males and females.

Inafa’Maolek Youth Heritage Program

Inafa’maolek in Chamorro language means “To Make Right”; this cultural community-driven program is designed to promote inter-generational teachings of native language, history, knowledge, traditional practices, that improves leadership and resiliency among at-risk youth through summer and after-school programs. Inafa’Maolek Youth Heritage Program is federally-funded by the Association for Native Americans Initiative for Leadership, Empowerment and Development (I-LEAD) grant.

 

Adults Groups

 

Adult Anger Management

Adults who participate in the Adult Anger Management (AAM) groups learn about the definition of anger and how this emotion can affect the body, mind, and overall well-being. This program is a 10-week session that enables adults to acquire new skills to help control anger. The topics in these sessions are varied but include dealing with rage and hostility towards others, controlling techniques to manage anger effectively and address coping mechanisms to allow them to resolve problems. AAM groups are offered every Thursday from 6:00-7:00 pm at Sanctuary’s Main Office.

Parenting Support/Parenting Skills Groups (PSG)

Parent support and parenting skills groups are educational courses parents attend to learn about caring for their children. The primary goals of parenting classes include improving relationships between parents and their children, and teaching parents how to deal with the daily responsibilities of maintaining a home and family in positive ways. Groups take place every Tuesday from 6:00 pm-7:00 pm at Sanctuary’s Main Office for a period of 10 weeks.

 

Family Groups

 

Strengthening Families Program (SFP)

Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is a 14-session evidence-based  parenting skills, teen’s social skills, and family life skills training program specifically designed for high-risk families to improve family relationships, increase strengths and resiliency, and reduce risk factors of substance abuse and delinquency.

4. “Ayuda Para I Komunidat” (Help for the Community) AmeriCorps Program

Sanctuary’s AmeriCorps – Ayuda Para I Komunidat Program is the oldest and largest program on Guam that focuses on strengthening communities by empowering the members to carry out enrichment activities and have direct involvement in the community. AmeriCorps members assist and mentor consumers in the Sanctuary shelters and beneficiaries in the different Department of Youth Affairs Resource Centers and public schools. Members also participate in revitalizing public parks/lands, and educating the community about environmental stewardship and environmentally-conscious practices. Members co-facilitate all of Sanctuary’s Supportive Counseling Groups and conduct community outreach projects while working in collaboration with various organizations and programs to encourage capacity building and volunteer recruitment. In addition, members receive trainings in First Aid/CPR, CERT, etc. Only U.S. Citizens, U.S. nationals or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., 17 years of age or older with a high school diploma or is working towards receiving a high school diploma or GED are eligible to apply. Individuals with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply for AmeriCorps.

5. Community Outreach

Sanctuary conducts monthly community outreaches in an effort to contribute to the betterment of the lives of the youth and families we serve. Sanctuary works closely alongside its governmental partners as well as other non-profit  organizations to raise a heightened awareness of challenges and to empower the community to make informed decisions, thereby improving their quality of life.

24 HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE: (671) 475-7100

Sanctuary Incorporated is a community-based organization which exists to improve the quality of life for Guam’s youth to promote reconciliation during times of family conflicts, to foster the development of responsible community members, and to advocate for their needs in an effort to preserve family unity by providing: 24-hour crisis intervention services, temporary safe refuge during family conflicts and abuse, supportive counseling for youth and families, outreach, education and prevention programs