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Local runaway and homeless youth program provides options

Those who participated in the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training [ASIST] held last month included ASCC students, and staff members and volunteers of Catholic Social Services and Alofa Tunoa Ministry. The program is a part of the Pasefika Youth Project.  [Courtesy photo]
blue@samoanews.com

Youth who are lonely and feel that there is nowhere to turn during times of crisis now have an option available to them 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to a project funded through the US Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB).

The program is made available to local youth through the Pacific Youth and Community Development, American Samoa Pasefika Youth Project — Runaway and Homeless Youth Basic Center Program.

A temporary shelter for youth is “A service for at-risk and troubled, runaway, homeless youth in American Samoa.”

According to project manager Salima Eucharist Reupena, the Pacific Youth and Community Development is “a community based, non-profit organization specializing in positive youth development, with certified staff in Best Practice programs such as Botvin’s Life Skills Training and Tackling Tough Skills for English Language Learners.”

For the Pasefika Youth Project, Salima said they have partnered with Catholic Social Services and Alofa Tunoa Ministry to provide access to counseling and shelter/ gateway services.

“The project is funded to provide temporary shelter for up to 21 days for youth younger than 18 years of age, at-risk of experiencing unstable housing and various psycho/social challenges,” according to the project information pamphlet.

Under the program, the parent or legal guardian of the youth MUST be contacted, and they are required to provide formal consent within 24 to 72 hours of client intake.

Basic services provided include food, clothing, medical care, trauma-informed individual, group and family counseling, positive youth development strategies, crisis intervention, life skills training, recreational programs, and six months of aftercare support.

These are the mandatory services the program provides.

According to Salima, the purpose of the Basic Center Program is to provide temporary shelter and counseling services not only to youth who have left home without the permission of their parents or guardians, but also to other homeless youth who might otherwise end up in trouble with the law or in the child welfare, mental health, or juvenile justice systems.

“FYSB’s intent is to increase young people’s safety, social and emotional well-being, and self-sufficiency, and to help them build permanent connections with families, communities, schools, and other positive social networks.”

Often times, according to the program manager, youth in crisis think they have nowhere to turn when they are most vulnerable.

“This project provides free 24-hour crisis intervention hotline services; individual, group and family counseling for youth and family members; a safe alternative to an increasingly dangerous environment through temporary shelter, prevention education, outreach, substance abuse treatment (if applicable); access to clinical behavioral health services; aftercare services for six months after discharge from the shelter; diversion from the juvenile justice system; and an opportunity for safe, permanent placement, and family re-unification.”

The overall goal of the project is to:

  • reduce incidences of violence within the home, as well as crimes committed against youth on the streets;
  • reduce the number of youth involved in drug abuse, delinquency, prostitution, violence, and crime;
  • reduce health problems related to runaway and homeless youth; and
  • reduce the suicide rate amongst teens.

Those seeking help are not charged for the aforementioned services, and the program is strictly for those under 18 years old.

The location of the temporary shelter is confidential, as those utilizing the facilities are minors and protected by law.

The shelter program was launched earlier this year in January and since then, according to Salima, they have been able to serve a handful of clients.

In addition to their various services, the program is also trying to use local youth as a tool to reach out to their peers.

Last month, nine members of the You Are Not Alone (YANA) Club and Student Government Association (SGA) at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), along with advisor Bernie Tavai, staff and volunteers from Alofa Tunoa Ministry and Catholic Social Services took part in a two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), conducted by Amy Pierce.

Salima said the goal is to get other teens involved so they can serve as their eyes and ears in the community, helping to refer troubled youth to the program.

The PYCD is overseen by board members that include: Chairman Toetasi Tuiteleleapaga, Vice-Chairman Larry Sanitoa, Secretary/Treasurer Ray Talalelei Tulafono, Jr., Executive Director Tupua Roy Fua, Project Director Toleafoa Kathryn Tupua, and members Leilua Stevenson and Dr. Jueta McCutchan.

More information on the Runaway and Homeless Youth Basic Center Program can be obtained by calling the Shelter and Youth Crisis Intervention Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 684-699-4357(HELP).

To make a referral, one needs to complete the Referral Form and email it to pasefikayouth@gmail.com.

Project management and staff can be reached at their Malaeimi Fa’atamali’i Center office at 684-699-7923(PYCD); email <pasefikayouth@gmail.com>

 or log on to <www.pycd.net>