HOW WILL THE PROJECT HELP TROUBLED YOUTH

Often times, youth in crisis situations 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 reunification.

The overall goal of the project is to reduce the 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 youth suicidality.​

​​​​​​​Pacific Youth and Community Development
American Samoa Pasefika Youth Project
Runaway and Homeless Youth Basic Center Program

A TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR YOUTH
“A Service for at-risk and troubled runaway, homeless youth in American Samoa”

Project Manager
Eucharist Elisara

WHO WE ARE

Pacific Youth & 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, we have partnered with Catholic Social Services and Alofa Tunoa Ministry to provide access to counseling and shelter/gateway services.

The project is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, Family & Youth Services Bureau (FYSB).  The purpose of the Basic Center Program is to provide temporary shelter and counseling services to youth who have left home without permission of their parents or guardians or to other homeless youth who might otherwise end up in the law enforcement 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, self-sufficiency, and help them build permanent connections with families, communities, schools, and other positive social networks.

HOW TO CONTACT US

The Shelter and Youth Crisis Intervention Hotline is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Phone 684-699-4357(HELP).  To make a referral, please complete the Referral Form and email to pasefikayouth@gmail.com.  Project management and staff can be reached at our Malaeimi Fa’atamali’i Center office by calling 684-699-7923(PYCD).

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​   PYCD AS Pasefika Youth Project                                 684-699-4357(HELP)                                  www.pycd.net                                               pasefikayouth@gmail.com​

MANDATORY SERVICES WE PROVIDE

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.  Youth’s parents or legal guardians must be contacted and they are required to provide formal consent within 24 to 72 hours of client intake.

Basic services 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.