Guma’ Mami, Inc. is a nonprofit community-based
membership-driven organization formed in the early 1980s by families of persons
with disabilities, professionals in the field of disability, and other
concerned community members to facilitate the integration and full inclusion of
adults with disabilities into their communities through dignified,
compassionate individual and family support, with increased focus on individual
rights and the richness of cultural diversity. The organization was founded on
the following principles:
·
Guma’
Mami, Inc. believes in the value and dignity of every human being. People
with intellectual and other disabilities are like everyone else in many more
ways than they are different. These differences should be viewed in the same
way that ethnic, cultural, social/economic-status and other individual or group
differences are viewed, with respect and dignity.
·
Guma’
Mami believes that people with intellectual and other disabilities have
abilities and competencies that can be enhanced, developed and maximized to the
greatest extent possible when given the necessary supports. These supports
should incorporate the concepts of self-determination, normalization,
full-inclusion, integration, and person/family-centered planning.
·
Guma’
Mami believes that individuals with intellectual and other disabilities have
rights and responsibilities. When these rights are respected, opportunities are
made available, and effective services are provided, these individuals will become
responsible and productive members of their communities.
Following are
Guma’ Mami’s current programs:
q Mary Clare Home: A
24-hour transitional Residential and Support Services Program for adults with
serious mental illness.
q Hinanao-ta Program: A
24-hour transitional Residential and Support Services Program for adults with
co-occurring disabilities of serious mental illness and intellectual
disabilities.
q Project Inayek: A scattered-site transitional housing program for
persons with disabilities who are survivors of domestic violence.
q Women In Solidarity with
Hope (WISH): An educational support
group for women with disabilities who are survivors of abuse.
q Sagan Mami Resource and
Drop In Center offers four (4) program
components:
- Enrichment Center
(8am-5pm): The
center offers resources and activities for individuals with disabilities to
develop a recovery and wellness lifestyle.
- Peer Support/Mentorship Training: The program offers trainings,
supports and mentorship to develop positive life skills to cope with
life’s challenges in the road to recovery and healing.
- Supported Employment Program: The program
prepares individuals with disabilities to compete in the
competitive job market while actively participating in treatment at Guam
Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.
- Drop-In Center (5pm-9pm): The evening drop-in center
offers adult individuals with disabilities who are homeless or
at imminent risk of homelessness, a safe haven, an accepting place for
anyone in need of support, advocacy and self-empowerment on their
recovery journey.
*Guma’ Mami’s services include Sexual
Assault & Family Violence 24-hour Information and Referral Hotline at (671)
487-2505
Upcoming
Activities:
- Do You See
Me: Exploring Stigma through the Eyes of Persons with Disabilities
In partnership
with Humanities Guahan, Guma’ Mami conducted a series of photography and poetry
workshops for persons with disabilities, with the goal of creating community
conversations around personal and community issues faced by persons with
disabilities. As a culminating activity of the workshops, the community is
invited to take part in the exhibit of the works done by persons with
disabilities through the workshops:
- March 9
&10, 2019: Do You See Me Exhibit at the Agana Shopping Center 2nd
Floor
- March 18
& 19, 2019: Do You See Me Exhibit at the 2019 Social Workers Regional Training
Conference at Westin Resort
- May 3, 2019 (Guam Museum): Do You See Me Conference
- Self-Advocacy
Training Workshops – TBA
*Guma Mami, Inc. is a member of GCASAFV
