Sanctuary Incorporated of Guam (Sanctuary) is a private, non-profit community-based organization that exists to provide critical social services to youth and their families. It was established in 1971 as an alternative to the juvenile justice system for runaway, homeless, neglected, and abused youth. Since its inception, Sanctuary continues to seek ways to improve the quality of life for Guam’s youth.

 

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.

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 ages 12 through 17. 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, indivi dual 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 centers or the streets.

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.

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 reg ion. 

Sagan Na’homlo is a three to six months residential program for chemically dependent youth, ages 12 through 17. Sagan Na’homlo youth live in a therapeutic community and progress 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 use, early recovery skills, relapse prevention, emotional wellness, weekly counseling, and adolescent education.

Guahan Youth Initiative

The GYI is an outreach program focused on assisting youth with lived experiences of houselessness and those who are at risk of houselessness. As GYI is set to support the Guam Homeless Coalition, another component of the program is the Youth Action Board. The YAB is comprised of individuals ages 16 through 24 who come together to address the needs of the houselessness community, specifically the youth perspective. GYI’s role with YAB is to support the members and their goals as well as bridging the gap between the providers who serve these youth. Through strategic outreach, collaboration, and advocacy, GYI strives to strengthen community response systems, raise awareness, and create opportunities that empower youth with access to hope, healing, and long-term stability.

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES / COUNSELING GROUP

Screening and assessment are scheduled for Saturdays at 9:00am on a first come first serve basis. 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.

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 Enhancem ent 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”.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Sanctuary conducts monthly community outreaches to contribute to the betterment of the lives of the youth and families we ser ve. 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.


**Updated as of 07/22/2025**