Helping vulnerable residents get back on their feet, Passport to Services brings resources together for the homeless

From the elderly to families towing small children, dozens of the island's most vulnerable gathered at the Joseph Flores Memorial Park amphitheater to receive much-needed services.

The Passport to Services opened today and services were provided ranging from haircuts, public welfare assistance, COVID vaccinations and so much more. Guam Homeless Coalition President, Samantha Taitano helped lead the event. 

"This is an annual event that we do, bringing all of the service providers in one place so that those who are experiencing homelessness can come to the event and get information or even actual services all in one place," she said. 

Taitano added this year’s event saw a lot more organizations helping out than the previous years.

"I think people are just ready to get out here, make sure people are getting the assistance that we need," she said. "We also have, right behind me, one of the hair schools that is going to be providing free haircuts. So lots of things going on today, lots of great things to help those who are in need."

The Guam Community College was at the event providing health screenings and the University of Guam’s Nursing students were there helping with vaccination efforts. Taitano detailed what other government agencies were present at the event.

"The Guam Department of Labor is also one of the Guam Homeless Coalition members," Taitano said. "Like I said, when I say service providers it can be anybody who is maybe providing direct assistance. It can also be partners like GDOL who are helping the Homeless Community to jobs so that they can stand up on their feet."

Clothes, shoes, as well as food, also was given to those in need. Taitano said the non-profits and government agencies went above and beyond to help provide and connect the island’s most vulnerable to the much-needed resources they need to get them back on their feet.