Sharice – Masters in Professional Counseling
– “After recieving my masters degree in professional counseling
I began the Sorensons Tonga program. I have worked for Sorensons
Ranch Residential treatment Center, owned by my father, for over
fifteen years and have an extensive background in youth treatment.
I have had the opportunity also to work with other programs and
many other therapists. Sorensons tonga is an accumulation of knowledge
and this program is designed to use the best treatment options
for better outcomes. Tonga was chosen not only because of it’s
optimum location and culture but also because my husband is of
tongan decent. Thus we were able to get government licencing and
support for this venture. “
married and the father of two teenage daughters as well as three
younger children. I have worked with youth in proctor care, at residential
treatment programs, church youth groups and of course at home. I
had the privilege of discovering Tonga and its people as a young
man. I immersed myself in their culture and language and became
a believer in the Islands’ positive influence on oneself.
Their culture is one of respect, love and selflessness. Traits needed
by all of us. My experiences in Tonga have had a profound impact
on who I am. I can’t think of a better place to work with
youth. I could not however, support or take part in this program
if we were merely a pretty piece of sand on which to baby-sit your
child. We have brought together the better part of 30 years experience
in behavior modification with intense therapy offered by having
our therapist team live on campus with the residents in a setting
which is therapeutic in itself. The combination is powerful. I look
forward to working with you as we engage every effort to help your
child achieve greater things.
Supervisor – from the village of Ha’akame, Tongatapu – “Malo
e lelei! I am 30 years old, married, and the proud father of four
beautiful children. I am enjoying my responsibilities at Sorenson’s
Tonga and have a lot of faith in the program’s ability to
have a powerful affect for good in the lives of those it touches.
My experience with youth has been extensive having been involved
with our local church youth group for the past six years. I find
myself drawing on my experiences both at home and at church as I
work with our youth here at Sorenson’s. I feel our residents
have a real opportunity here to change their lives and find personal
success. I work with a strong crew of great guys who have genuine
concern for their charges. I support this program as I can see it
work and I see myself here for many years to come.”
– from Pahu, Tongatapu – “Malo ‘etau lava! I am 31 years
old and have worked as a cook at the International Dateline Hotel
from 1997-2000. In May of that year I joined a crew on an international
freight ship as the cook. This enabled me to travel all over the
South Pacific area including ports in Australia. Since returning
home in November of that same year I have been gainfully employed
as a cook in other restaurants here on the main island of Tongatapu.
I hold a certificate from the Tongan Visitor’s Bureau as a
professional food handler, which gave me the opportunity to apply
for my current position. I love this job! It is rewarding to work
with these teenagers. I am happy to work not only for my paycheck
but for the kids’ souls, their future happiness and success
with their families and society. I hope they will return to their
homes in the United States and become examples for good to those
around them.”
Manager – from the village of Kolonga, Tongatapu – “Greetings
from Tonga! I believe the best way to change the world is one person
at a time. I joined the team at Sorenson’s to do just that.
I have had the opportunity of living in Southern California, in
the United States for a couple of years. It was a wonderful opportunity
to be exposed to a new culture. It was also a challenge to use English
as my second language, but I know from my experiences that for every
problem there is a way to solve it. Change can be difficult but
it can be rewarding as well. I want our residents to have a chance
to show themselves how able they are to face their troubles and
adapt and change for the better. I look forward to working with
each new personality as they make their way to our program in paradise.”
the village of Tofoa, Tongatapu – “Malo e lelei! I am 27 years
old. I was born and raised here in the “Friendly Islands”
but I have also had the opportunity of living as an adult in “Big
Sky Country” Billings, Montana. It was not easy to change
my environment so dramatically, but the experience taught me patience
and love even with those of a different culture, personalities and
values. I know what a great shock it will be for our residents in
coming here, but I also know that here more than anywhere else they
will have a chance to refocus their lives and grow. I am enjoying
the work here and look forward with anticipation to the future.”
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