Letter to the Editor by Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio
The government of Guam and non-governmental organizations involved in human services,
faith-based organizations, our Mayors and Vice-Mayors, and community volunteers are working
hard to address the complexities of homelessness. It is shocking and unsettling for some to see
unsheltered people panhandling at busy intersections and roadsides on Guam. For many of us,
this is a relatively new occurrence and is counter to the close-knit community environment we
are used to. It is clear that some people need help. It is also clear that our people deserve to
feel safe in their homes, businesses, public parks, and areas from crime, drugs, and violence.
Those engaged in the social work and human services professions have a mission to enhance
human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention
to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.
Those engaged in the law enforcement profession have a mission to serve the community by
safeguarding lives and property against threats that could take advantage of or harm members
of the community or otherwise impact peace and order. We must all strive for a balance rooted
in compassion but ensure the community’s safety, which sometimes must include law
enforcement responses that provide peace and order.
On Guam, the most vulnerable members of our community living in poverty are likely to
experience poorer health outcomes and higher rates of chronic and non-communicable
diseases. They are more likely to face stunted academic achievement and incomplete education,
leading to unemployment and underemployment that further limits their ability to support
themselves and their families. Some within the group are more susceptible to involvement in
the criminal and juvenile justice systems.
This is why our current and long-term investments and efforts in early childhood development,
job training programs, adult education, youth development programs, and housing stability
must be supported and expanded. Much of my work in this regard has been focused on
rescuing families and children in need and expanding programs that address the underlying
causes of most homelessness, which include financial hardships, family alienation, substance
abuse, criminality, and mental health challenges. We know that helping people so they can help
themselves and others is the most effective approach.
On the front line of our effort is the battle against substance abuse and Guam’s
three-decade-long experience with methamphetamine addiction. We are enabling and
supporting effective peer support programs, chemical detox medical services, drug treatment
programs, and new in-patient and out-patient drug treatment facilities. Our long-term goal is to
expand treatment options throughout the island that are connected to housing support and
gainful employment opportunities.
Another line of effort is focused on protecting and helping our children. Family alienation and
substance abuse issues have challenged the core strengths of Guam’s famil,ies which are rooted
in generosity, respect, and the obligations we have for our families and neighbors. With record
numbers of children in the child welfare system, extended families are being called upon to
provide the stability and support our children need. To address this, we are securing transitional
housing units to help stabilize mothers in recovery and provide a pathway for court-approved
reunification with their children.
For the chronic homeless population that have extraordinary challenges staying sheltered, or for
those whose shelter options have been terminated for breaking the rules, we have acquired a
bed-for-the-night facility that we are working tirelessly to open. Once building repairs are
complete and the facility is open, street homeless will be able to receive nightly shelter and
access to healthcare screening and assistance. When the Hagâtña Soup Kitchen facility was put
up for sale by the Archdiocese of Agana as part of its bankruptcy proceedings, our government
purchased the facility so the community support could continue.
There are also significant efforts underway to improve the delivery of mental health services at
the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC), including those that need
stabilization and assisted outpatient treatment. The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment
(RSAT) Program operated by GBHWC at the Department of Corrections provides intensive drug
treatment programs for those about to reenter the community from long periods of
incarceration.
At the Department of Public Health and Social Services, our team is working to modernize the
welfare benefits application process so that clients can receive food assistance and Medicaid
approval more responsively and timely. More program support for childcare development
programs and facilities is helping more families. The new Division of Homelessness Assistance
and Poverty Prevention has assumed authority over The Emergency Food Assistance Program
(TEFAP), which provides nutrition for residents throughout the island.
The Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) is working to
provide additional day programs for underserved clients. The Department of Youth Affairs offers
more youth development programs and supports the Guam Police Department and the
Department of Parks and Recreation. The Department of Labor, in conjunction with the Guam
Community College and other institutions, is providing adult education programs, boot camps,
and other job training programs focused on expanding our workforce. On the transportation
and permanent housing front, we still have a ways to go that will require additional help and
resources. Additionally, a significant number of affordable and attainable housing projects are
being put into action by GHURA and Guam Housing Corporation.
Many non-profit organizations, churches, faith-based organizations, schools, and individuals are
working tirelessly to assist people around the island. These efforts, combined with government
support to secure facilities and support for programs designed to empower our people to
stabilize and care for themselves and their families, must continue. But we must also expand the
resources and programs that can prevent homelessness and, more importantly, provide our
youth with the opportunities to break out of the cycle of poverty. This can be accomplished
more effectively when we work together.