The center was temporarily closed last year for renovation, according to Michael Manglona, special assistant for youth affairs of the governor’s office.
On Tuesday, volunteers from the offices of Reps. Ray Yumul and Ramon Tebuteb joined parolees in cutting overgrown vegetation in area surrounding the center.
Anna Somol, the center’s acting program coordinator, and Cris Quitugua, youth language specialist, helped set up the furniture and office fixtures.
They said they are conducting an inventory of the equipment so they will know what they will need to operate the center again.
The center has a new couch donated by the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, pool table and other sports paraphernalia.
“We try to keep some things usable,” Quitugua said.
Somol said they will also review the list of youths registered with the center and start accepting new members from Oleai to Puerto Rico.
Manglona said the center will also cater to adults who would like to avail of its internet connection.
Like the Youth Learning Center in Koblerville, Gualo Rai’s “an after-school program,” he said, adding that it will also offer Awaodori dance lessons and other cultural, educational, arts and sports programs.
The center is expected to reopen before the end of the year, he said.
Manglona thanked CNMI Parole Chief Lee Deleon Guerrero for allowing six parolees to help clean the center.
The volunteers from the Legislature were Vic Romolor and Steve Tamokane who were joined by John Somol and Mike Hambros.
