[Sarah Thomas Nededog] Executive Director, Sanctuary Inc.

Depicted in Sanctuary Inc.’s logo are three small people figures joining hands, with one larger person figure embracing them, with the motto, “Helping Youth and Families Help Themselves.” The logo is at the core of the organization’s work in providing guidance and support for the island’s youth and their families.

It can be disheartening to know that even in a small island, known for its hospitality and strong family bonds, its adolescent population is not shielded from the effects of broken homes, drug, alcohol and sexual abuse and criminal activity; however, with the existence of organizations like Sanctuary and the people who volunteer to carry out its mission, some of these effects can be curbed.

“Adolescence is such a crucial time for both teens and parents and if support is not provided when needed, severe consequences can last a lifetime,” says Sarah Thomas Nededog, executive director of Sanctuary Inc.

Hundreds of teens take refuge in Sanctuary’s emergency and Transitional Living Program shelters every year and more than 2,000 are helped through its outreach and prevention programs, according to the organization’s Web site.

Thomas-Nededog has been involved with Sanctuary Inc. since its inception in 1971. Thomas-Nededog served as interim director and consultant in 1985 and chaired the board of directors for six years afterwards. Currently, Thomas-Nededog is the executive director, a position she has held since 2003.

The organization’s goals include ensuring that a full continuum of services exists for young people and their families with particular concern for core services of crisis intervention (24-hour response system), emergency shelter and case management.

Additionally, the organization aims to expand its support groups for self esteem, tobacco cessation, anger management, drug use prevention, gender expressions for youth exploring their sexuality and suicide prevention.

In 2004, Sanctuary instituted Sagan Na Homlo (a place for healing) – a drug and alcohol treatment program for adolescents. The following year, the organization started an organic farming entrepreneurship project to expand on its aquaculture farms. Last year, Sanctuary received full accreditation for all of its programs through the Council for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The organization has partnered with many groups and businesses to promote healthy lifestyles, ways to improve communication with and as youth, and to bring awareness to the plight of troubled youth.

Sanctuary also provides crisis intervention, case management, independent living, substance abuse treatment, mentoring and tutoring, and support groups for youths and adults.

“I believe the most rewarding aspect of my role is the responsibility that I have to affect policy in the organization and in the community,” Thomas-Nededog says. “I also have the opportunity to meet with and work alongside a tremendous and committed group of people including many who are young people.

“And the best part of my job is that I have the luxury of talking anytime with our consumers who are on site to gauge their thoughts about our services, their situations and their perceptions of our community,” Thomas-Nededog adds.

-JE

[Maggie DeLeon Guerrero Wonenberg] President, Commonwealth Health Center Volunteers’ Association

In a nutshell, Wonenberg left home, got an education, got married, returned to Saipan with a husband, started a family of her own, embarked on a new career and volunteered her time with a non-profit association. That’s the easy part.

The Wonenbergs have since moved to the village of Sadog Tasi, where Wonenberg balances her home life and career with another full-time commitment to the people of the CNMI as president of the Commonwealth Health Center Volunteers Association (CHCVA).

Since its inception in 1986, the CHCVA assisted the hospital administration and staff care for the patients and families and helped to furnish the facility with equipment and supplies though fund raising and partnerships with philanthropic organizations.

Wonenberg first volunteered for the group 16 years ago, and her dedication was recognized recently when she was elected president of the CHC Volunteers following the departure of the former president to the U.S. Mainland.

Whether they’re operating the hospital’s gift shop, volunteering at local sporting events, conducting fund raising raffles or gift wrapping at Christmas time, the CHC volunteers are always a part of the community.

As the association’s face in the community, Wonenberg helps coordinate all of the volunteers’ activities throughout the year, wades through a myriad paperwork and her favorite, presents donations to those in need.

“It’s important to know that the CHC Volunteers Association functions with the help of many people. The management and operation of the CHCVA is an example of how people from all walks of life can work together harmoniously for the good of the association,” said Wonenberg.

Coordinating the CHC Volunteers, running a household and working a full-time job requires the same brand of harmonious cooperation between the different aspects of her life, but Wonenberg said that she has been able to maintain her focus on all three.

“Sometimes it becomes overwhelming. As long as I do my job and get priorities done, I can do my volunteer work after hours or when I’m off,” she said.

Wonenberg said being such an active member of the community is worth every second of free time she would otherwise enjoy by reading, shopping or going to the theater because she feels fulfilled though her connection to herself, her family and her community.

As if being a mother of three, a probation officer, and the president of the CHC Volunteers Association wasn’t challenging enough, Wonenberg manages all of this while battling cancer.

“The pain shall pass. … Cancer does not rule you, you rule cancer,” she said. The cure for Wonenberg’s cancer is a stem cell transplant and she already has a donor ready, willing and waiting in the wings. Her brother John and his wife, Lishi, committed the stem cells of their newborn son’s umbilical cord, Kaden, but that’s not the end of the story.

According to her oncologist, Wonenberg is not ready for the procedure yet and will have to continue with her quarterly chemotherapy treatments until she suffers a relapse.

“It’s okay to cry and feel like the world is unfair, but after a good cry, get back up and refresh your perspective. See the beauty around you and feel the happiness that it can give you. Above all, never give up.”

–BR

[Karon Johnson] Founding Member, Guam Animals In Need Inc.

On weekends, Assistant U.S. Attorney Karon V. Johnson trades in her power suit for a more comfortable and “grubby” appearance in her volunteer work at the Guam Animals in Need (GAIN) shelter in Yigo.

Even on extremely hot afternoons, Johnson regularly visits the shelter to help direct other volunteers, clean kennels, care for shelter animals and anything else to keep the shelter running smoothly.

“The most rewarding aspect for me is the shelter, definitely,” says Johnson, GAIN legislative chair and one of the organization’s founding members. “It’s hands-on work directly with the animals, and the grounds and buildings. In 2005, I built a 1,400 square foot cat house/work center, which was a lot of fun.

“The next project is to replace 14 plywood kennels with concrete ones,” she adds.

GAIN’s mission is to promote humane treatment of animals, to run a humane animal shelter and to support good laws for animal care. The main goal of the organization is to eliminate the stray animal population in Guam and have a society where every animal is well-treated.

Unlike many other charity organizations, GAIN does not employ an executive director. Instead, volunteers, such as Johnson, do all of the organization’s work themselves. None of the generous donations from individuals and businesses go to administrative costs, but are reserved to directly benefit the animals, which is an extraordinary accomplishment, Johnson says. The shelter employees, led by Winnie Escobar, and volunteers commit hundreds of hours on their own time to assist with GAIN.

“In theory, the shelter is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but people are always there until 6 p.m., volunteering their own time to ensure everything gets done,” Johnson says. “Our shelter employees have to deal with animal cruelty and abuse – it’s a very, very hard job.”

It was in January 1990 that Johnson was approached by Rebecca Tomzik, GAIN’s founder, to assist with the organization. Johnson has been active with the organization since then. For Johnson, it’s the opportunity to make a difference that motivates her to continue to work with GAIN.

“Guam is so small, that dedicated people who are willing to work hard can really make a difference here, a major impact on the community that you couldn’t have in a bigger place,” Johnson says. “You can see the direct results of your time – it’s very gratifying.”

- JE

[Thomas Quidachay] Youth Director, HATSA (Helping Achieve Through Skills and Aspirations)

A handful of parents sat in chairs along a wall facing a group of more than 50 children, all comfortably seated in multiple single file lines neatly arranged by height. After a short musical introduction, the children began to sing “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus in unison.

Onlookers provided a hearty applause and at least one parent was moved to tears as the song came to an end. Amazingly, no group practice and no vocal coaching were ever held.

“I know all the kids know the words to that song,” Thomas M. D. Quidachay, youth director for HATSA Chalan Pago-Ordot says. “They won’t sing it individually when you ask them to, but once you put them all together and play the CD, they all just begin to sing the song together.”

HATSA is an acronym which stands for “Helping Achieve Through Skills and Aspirations.” Initiated in 2006 by former Ordot-Chalan Pago mayor Pedro Borja, in conjunction with the Department of Youth Affairs Americorps Program, the HATSA program started as an after-school program for students from Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School. After about a year and a half, the program ended, much to the dismay of its young participants.

Seeing the need for an after-school program for children, Quidachay, along with Bruce San Nicolas, revived HATSA and the program grew from the initial 10 students to about 30 students from various elementary and middle schools. The program expanded to include summer sessions and grew to accommodate more than 50 children. Sessions have been moved to the Chalan Pago community center from the district mayor’s office to allow for the increasing number of participants.

“When I was growing up, I never had the opportunity like the kids today of having after-school programs like HATSA,” Quidachay says in his small office adorned with congratulatory and commemorative plaques. “Making a difference in the young lives of every student enrolled in the program is the most rewarding aspect of my role with HATSA.

“What we try to do here is teach them the fundamental values of team work and respect. The children here are future leaders of our island, and if, for example, one of them is elected governor of Guam, the reward for me is that (he or she) was part of a program that made history,” Quidachay adds.

HATSA’s mission is to provide a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment that enables them to give youth and their families the knowledge, skills and opportunity that leads them to become productive and responsible citizens.

During after school and summer sessions, children enrolled have the opportunity to utilize HATSA’s computer lab, with enrichment in reading, language arts and mathematics. The program also includes physical education activities, including volleyball, baseball and basketball. Other activities

include the opportunity to interact with guest speakers from the Guam Police Department, Department of Agriculture, Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of the Attorney General, V.A.R.O, and the Guam National Guard among others.

“The children really motivate me to keep working with HATSA,” Quidachay says. “What better motivation is there than playing a role in developing the future of our island and the world around us.”

-JE