A non-profit, volunteer-based community outreach organization has recently been founded in the territory called “Back on Track” — and, as its name implies, it is meant to help people get back on track with their lives. “Build up the man and you build up the family, build up the family and you build up the community,” says founder Mona Uli.

Currently working at the American Samoa Alliance for Strengthening Families, Uli says the Back on Track organization was just incorporated this year, and that she is very honored to have these members of the community working with her on the board: Rory West, business owner of Pacific Basin; Litani Ahoia, business owner of Litani Complex; Robert Toelupe, Social Worker and director of the Vet Center; Sulita Smith, Director of Catholic Social Services and Kaitlyn Endries, an educator who also has a degree in social work.

When asked how she was able to juggle both positions, her response was that “the two jobs actually compliment each other as well as benefit each other. Community work is my passion and seeing lives changed carries its own reward.”

According to Uli, “The vision of Back on Track is to build a strong self-sufficient and violence-free community, while their purpose is to offer a holistic and proactive approach to combating violence and providing a long term safety net for those impacted— through advocacy, education, treatment, and collaborative efforts for overall peace and restoration. By working together with community and government organizations we aim to promote human dignity, peace and justice."

Back on Track is volunteer-based so they rely heavily on their volunteers to assist as facilitators, youth mentors, tutors, leaders and advocates. It’s an ambitious project, with many components, and If anyone is interested in volunteering for this work, they are greatly encouraged to do so.  According to Uli, all volunteers go through a thorough training and orientation which is conducted by the Alliance for Strengthening Families. 

Some of the programs and services Back on Track is providing, or working toward, include:

*            Celebrate Recovery — a 12-step program for people struggling with any addictive or compulsive behavior.

*            U.S.O. Men's Club — An island wide men's group, USO (United to Serve Others).  Outings, activities and community service projects are planned.

*            U-R-Unique —  Youth Peer Group Counseling- For youth ages 12 – 18.

*            Lumanai —Generation Z, those between 18 and 25. 

*            Homework Clubs — working to establish homework clubs in the villages and near the schools. 

*            The Daniel Plan — A support group for healthy lifestyles. Faith, food, fitness, focus & friends.

*            La'a Loa, a Community Action Group — Bringing the community together to stand up against injustice, using nonviolence as a way to effect change.

*            Inmate Advocacy — Helping inmates work towards their release and setting goals for themselves.

*            Le Aiga Saoloto — A support group for those recently released from the TCF.

*            Book Drive for the Tafuna Correctional Facility

Back on Track is currently looking for book donations for the inmates, and will accept any wholesome and uplifting books. Bibles, self-help books, classic literature, educational books, science, sports, health and wellness and how-to books are all good examples of the kind of books they are collecting. “As a Man Thinketh” by James Allen, “Awaken the Giant Within” by Tony Robbins, “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill and “The Richest Man in Babylon” by Og Mandino are titles they would love to see as part of the library.

 Says Uli, “Space for the books at the TCF is a challenge right now but it's a start.  The hope is to build a library in the near future.”  For more information,  please call Mona Uli at 258-4957.