32 youth offenders between the ages of 14 and 17 call the Youth Hostel in Rockville Village home. Al of them were sent there by the courts for criminal matters or serious behavioral problems. The Hostel's main focus is rehabilitation, but often times rundown, bare bone facilities punish the youths instead of reforming them. And that's why last year the hostel embarked on a drive to renovate its facilities. The renovated male dormitory was opened in December and today it was the female's turn. 7NEWS was in Rockville for the opening.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This is what inside the newly renovated female dormitory at the Youth Hostel looks li1ke. There is a lounge area with sofas and a stereo, the bedrooms have been redesigned to seem more spacious, and the bathrooms look like new. Chief Supervisor at the Hostel Glendamae Martinez says the dorm, which is home to 15 girls, has been renovated, refurbished, and retrofitted.
Glendamae Martinez, Chief Supervisor
"We have done the roof, we have refurbished the bathrooms, we have painted the interior of the buildings, we had been provided with new water heaters, we have been provided with the complete electrical work which has been done, our bathroom has changed tremendously - it is more usable."
The U.S. government sponsored the project to renovate both the female and male dormitories at the hostel. This morning U.S. Ambassador Robert Dieter and Minister of Human Development Sylvia Flores cut the ribbon, officially opening the newly renovated female dorm.
Robert Dieter, U.S. Ambassador
"It's a pleasure to be here today and participate in this ribbon cutting ceremony for these renovated facilities which hopefully will improve the quality of life for the young people who will be living here and also make the job of the staff easier."
And more comfortable is what life at the youth hostel has become for 14-year-old Crystal McCullough. She was sent here in June of last year for behavioral problems. With the renovated dorm - Crystal says she has gone from sleeping on the floor to having her own bed.
Crystal McCullough, Hostel Resident
"When I first came, I had to sleep on a sponge but now like how it is much better, less girls, I got to sleep on a bed. You have more fans because we had only one fan and in the dorm is extra hot. Now we have three fans. We have more space and as you get along with the girls you feel much better and comfortable. So it really changed a lot and I am glad for that."
Martinez says their goal isn't to make life here at the hostel luxurious for Crystal or any of the other residents because after all - they are all here for either criminal or serious behavioral problems. But the job of the Hostel is to rehabilitate and not punish these youths and Martinez says living conditions play a major part in that.
Glendamae Martinez,
"Your living condition plays a vital role in how you feel about yourself. Feeling good about yourself makes you believe in yourself. Its not only about the new improved dormitory, it is about the quality of service that we provide to the residents in our care. The entire refurbishing has improved the living conditions of the dorms and the quality of service that we offer at the institution."
US$100,000 was spent on renovating the dormitories and another USS$38,000 has been earmarked for equipment and supplies. The Youth Hostel's next project is to construct a fence. Government has already committed $47,000 or 50% of the cost. The Hostel's Board of Directors hopes to fundraise the other $47,000.
