BCP’s assistant human and social service worker Valerie Deleon Guerrero told Variety that they were invited by KagHS counselor Kamisha Johnson-Padilla who saw the BC as an important program for the youth.
“We presented to all freshman and sophomore females,” Deleon Guerrero explained. “The freshmen were gathered in the cafeteria and the sophomores were situated in the library,” she added.
With Deleon Guerrero was BCP manager Joann Aquino who said that the meeting was a success.
“Kagman High School is the first school we have presented to while having the students as our audience. We’ve only presented to one other school and that was San Antonio Elementary School with parents as our audience,” Aquino said.
Under the auspices of Ayuda Network, a non-profit organization, the BCP is dedicated to providing an alternative venue designed to support and care for runaway and homeless youth from 12 to 17 years old for a period of up to 21 days.
The shelter is known to be the first of its kind in the CNMI to house minor males and females. The BCP also has a joint effort with the Division of Youth Services Juvenile Probation Unit and Child Protective Unit, Karidat, the Community Guidance Center, the Public School System, the Department of Public Safety and the family court.
Aquino said the shelter takes care of youth who otherwise could not be accommodated at the DYS emergency shelter, which is for victims of child abuse, or at the Kagman Juvenile Unit, which is for youths who have committed crimes.
Aquino told the students that the goals of the BCP are to provide temporary, safe and appropriate emergency shelter care to runaway and homeless youth. In addition, the center provides support services to assist youths and their families in conflict crisis and to bring back youths to their families.
The BCP also provides counseling services and encourages stable family and relationships for youth and their families so they can become independent, self-sufficient contributing members of society.
Aquino said they have two employees, including herself, taking care of the center from 7:30 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. and around the clock if there are clients. The BCP sheltered up to seven teenagers last year, Aquino said. Their operation hours are 24/7 and include 24-hour crisis hotlines with Karidat and DYS.
The BCP is equipped to meet the needs of its clients and those who qualify for services must secure the consent of their parents. Youths can be referred by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, the Division of Youth Services, the Child Protective Unit, the Juvenile Probation Unit, a legal guardian, a relative, a friend, and another adult or by self-referral.
If you have any questions or comments, call Joann Aquino at 235-5437 or connect with them on Facebook by searching: “Basiccenterprogram cnmi”
