Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Prevention Starts With YOU(TH) Outreach:
American Samoa Community College Political Science Club
Storytelling has been integral to Pasifika cultures, passing down narratives of our identity. We believe storytelling is a powerful tool in substance abuse prevention work in our communities. With every opportunity we get, we share the story of Foeoletini and our work at the Foundation with students, encouraging them to find their voices and molding their own stories to help spread awareness.
We shared our story with the American Samoa Community College Political Science Club as part of our Community Outreach efforts. Club members drew and described their current communities today, and almost every group described a community filled with drugs and drug-related problems.
Youth engagement is critical to youth substance use prevention. Youth voices and activities help us effectively deliver programs to help communities like ASCC become resilient to substance abuse.
- Changing community-wide policies
- Changing school policies
- Designing communication campaigns
- Hosting drug-free social events
- Identifying opportunities for youth to engage in community change
- Offering youth and parent education and training
Thank you, ASCC Poli Sci club, for having us, for believing in our mission, and for continuing to go above and beyond your mission to help students excel both on and off campus.
Students were inspired by on our our favorite quotes: "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." -Maya Angelou
Future Rugby Youth Development Program
***FOR OFFICIAL RELEASE. 02/21/2023***
The Foeoletini Foundation Receives a Donation of Sports Equipment for Future Rugby Youth Development Program.
On Friday, February 17th, 2023, The Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation (The Foeoletini Foundation) received a donation of rugby sports equipment valued at over $5,000.00 to help launch the Foeoletini Foundation's rugby youth development program. The Foeoletini Foundation is pleased to announce a generous donation of $5000 worth of rugby equipment to support their youth development programs. This initiative aims to create new outreach and community service opportunities for the Foundation's core mission of making American Samoa drug-free.
Ms. Monique Solofa, who has worked with the American Samoa Talavalu 7's team and the local American Samoa Rugby Union, has teamed up with other community partners both on island and abroad to provide youth rugby equipment for the Foeoletini Foundation. They are as follows:
- The Mark-Jason Solofa Family
- Lofi Fuatogi of the Las Vegas Rugby Club and the Las Vegas Rugby Academy,
- Mose (USA Eagles Rugby Team Player/Coach) and Kristin Timoteo,
- Kristin Benish and Family, and
- Margaret Carruthers
Ms. Solofa states, "The pathway to the world 7's is shorter for American Samoa, and our island has traveled to Hong Kong and the Gold Coast 7's to compete in the past. This work is so important, and we are all excited that the Foeoletini Foundation will be helping to take rugby to the next level. I want to thank Trude, Fiafia, their team, and the rest of the Foundation for all the work you do in the community. We ask the community to come out and support this endeavor."
"The Foeoletini Foundation provides athletic programs for the youth so they can take advantage of the opportunity to learn teamwork, discipline, and fellowship with one another. These skills will be transferable off the field and throughout their lives," states Mr. Eki Manuma, the Foeoletini Foundation Athletic Coordinator. He continues, "Over 600 youth have registered for our Eastside Little League Baseball program for the last three years, and baseball is wrapping up this season. Now we are moving into rugby."
Executive Director Mrs. Trude Ledoux-Sunia states, "On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Monique and friends, as well as our stakeholders and partners locally and abroad, as the Foundation finds more innovative ways to keep the youth involved."
The Foeoletini Foundation rugby youth development initiative is funded 100% by private donors, and the Foundation continues to seek federal assistance diligently to maintain and expand this service. The Foeoletini Foundation focuses on providing services and resources to families impacted by substance use disorder, victims of substance abuse, and recovery.
For further information on the Foundation and how to donate more, visit our website at www.foeoletini.org or call us at 256-0000.
Here is the link to the donation online,
For Official Release. 02/21/2023
###
From L-R Olomua Fiafia Sunia, Ms.Monique Solofa, Mrs. Trude Ledoux-Sunia, and Mr. Eki Manuma
Tai Lelei Founders Graduate ASCC
American Samoa Community College 77th Commencement Ceremony
Our Tai Lelei Volunteer program was founded by a few high school seniors who turned tragedy into a movement of hope for the youth of American Samoa. The same founders graduated from American Samoa Community College in the Fall of 2022. We are so proud of their perseverance, prevention work in the community and the endless volunteer hours spent working with families impacted by substance abuse and suicide.
Pictured: Elorah Tusiofo, Charity Tufele, Abcde Tupai,
Sierra and Tiara Fata
Malo finau! Malo le fa'aeaea! The future is bright with you ladies.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training with EPIC
Federal Pathways Open house
"Prevention Starts with YOU(th)" Initiative
The Foeoletini Foundation Launches the “Prevention Starts with YOU(th)” Community Service Initiative
***FOR OFFICIAL RELEASE. 11/27/2022***
The Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation (The Foeoletini Foundation) launched a community service initiative called "Prevention Starts with YOU(TH)" on November 19th, 2022. In recent data collected by the Foundation, youth volunteering is increasing. Still, there are few opportunities outside of school-based service learning or church projects centered around community service. This Initiative aims to create new community service opportunities for Youth, building a new generation of young people who care about their homes and are willing to commit to making American Samoa drug-free.
As the foundation kicked off this initiative, a Community Service Project Award of $1,000.00 was presented to Miss and Mr. Tafuna High School, Ms. Devinity Savusa, and Mr. Talalelei Iakopo on pageant night Saturday, November 19th, 2022, at the Lee Auditorium. They are the inaugural recipients of the program. This donation will fund a community service project of their choice that aligns with the Foeoletini Foundation's core values.
"Community service projects are a great way to engage with our young people and remind them that their voices and actions matter," states Trude Ledoux-Sunia, Executive Director of The Foeoletini Foundation. She continued, "We want to ensure this project will be the first of many to follow. Our Foundation hopes to tap into American Samoa’s young bright minds to develop creative projects that help educate their peers on local issues and come up with solutions together. Some examples include improving student services, promoting volunteer working groups, and accessing student resources."
Mrs. Sunia continues, "On behalf of the board, I would like to thank our stakeholders and partners locally and abroad. We want to instill the spirit of 'paying gratitude forward effectively and efficiently so generations will appreciate the importance of 'giving' collectively and unconditionally."
The Foeoletini Foundation community project initiative is funded 100% by private donors, and the Foundation continues to seek federal assistance diligently to maintain and expand these services. The Foeoletini Foundation focuses on providing services and resources to families impacted by substance use disorder, victims of substance abuse, and recovery.
For further information on the Foundation and how you can donate more, visit our website at www.foeoletini.org or call us at 256-0000. For Official Release. 11/27/2022 ###
Sports-based youth development Prevention Programs
Eastside Baseball
Major Eagles (1st place)
Major Eagles (1st place)
The Foeoletini Foundation sponsored six teams this Spring 2022 Little League Season. Two Major Teams (Eagles & Bluejays), two Minor Teams (Eagles & Starlings), and two Teeball Teams (Eagles). We ended the season with a high note, with all teams placing either 1st or 3rd. Thank you, donors, for making this season possible for our young ones.
Major Eagles (1st place)
Major Eagles (1st place)
Major Eagles (1st place)
Our Major Eagles pose for a picture before their last game of the season. The same players who never played baseball two seasons ago worked hard to be this season's top seed. The Foeoletini Foundation continues to assist in building athletic teams in villages as part of our mission to raise awareness about drug and alcohol abuse.
major bluejays (3rd place)
Eastside Baseball summer 2021
Eastside Baseball summer 2021
Our brand new Major Bluejays pose for a picture after their last game this season. Most players who have no baseball experience showed up and worked hard this season, placing 3rd in the league. We're so proud of our Bluejays and all our Major coaches, who continue to mentor our youth on and off the field.
Eastside Baseball summer 2021
Eastside Baseball summer 2021
Eastside Baseball summer 2021
Our Eagles Baseball-Minors Team came in 3rd place overall. We congratulate all players and teams on a great season.
#Givelight Initiative American Samoa
ASG Commits $50,000 for Give Light Initiative
For Official Release PR 001-04142022 Office of the Governor Utulei, American Samoa April 14, 2022
American Samoa Government Commits $50,000 for Give Light Initiative
“Lieutenant Governor Talauega and I wish to express our sincere appreciation to you and our nonprofit organizations for providing Give Light assistance to those in need.”
In a letter dated April 4, 2022, Honorable Governor Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga announced an award of $50,000 to the Give Light Initiative, under the CARES Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program.
The Give Light Initiative is organized by four local nonprofit organizations, Rotaract Club of Pago Pago, Esther Generation, The Christopher James Ledoux Foeletini Foundation, and the Agency for Better Living Endeavors (ABLE), all with a common goal to assist low-income individuals and families who have been impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions in American Samoa. The Give Light Initiative provides $50 credit for electricity from ASPA or cash power to eligible individuals and households.
This award will be administered through the Department of Commerce. “DOC Director Petti Matila and her staff will work closely with you all to ensure these funds are utilized in accordance with CARES CSBG program guidelines,” stated Governor Lemanu. Funds will be paid directly to the American Samoa Power Authority to provide additional credit (for both electricity and water) for recipients of the Give Light initiative.
“Lieutenant Governor Talauega and I wish to express our sincere appreciation to your respective non-profit organizations for spearheading the Give Light assistance, and we welcome this opportunity for ASG to partner with the Give Light group.” He continued, “We commend your leadership and commitment to stand together during these hard times to help our low-income population. We are truly grateful for your continued service for the betterment of American Samoa.”
###
Announcement
We recently earned a Candid Gold Seal of Transparency! Check out our nonprofit profile to keep up to date with our impact: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/9603e4ee-c80e-405e-947d-bf00633e6a4a