by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - On the heels of a visit from Chuuk's governor, the Department of Youth Affairs is hoping to reach out to its client, specifically those from the Federated States of Micronesia, which makes up a significant portion of the DYA population. DYA director Adonis Mendiola says the department has reached out to the FSM Consul General and religious leaders in hopes to teach the clients about the island's laws as well as services to help them get on the right track.

Mendiola said, "We'll be orchestrating some efforts from our standpoint here at DYA with the spiritual groups to minister to the kids or to offer them a home away from home if you will, a second family away from their family that gives them guidance, gives them structure and helps to stabilize what otherwise might be a lack of connectedness to their faith, to their value systems."

Mendiola says DYA officials are also reaching out to other stakeholders and non-profit organizations to include them into a comprehensive strategic plan to reach out to the clients.