The National Service Cadet Corp, it’s a place where troubled youth get tough love. But just because the love is tough, doesn’t mean that conditions have to be. The facility opened new dormitories today, and 7News visited.

Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
These are the buildings that once housed the residents of the National Service Cadet Corp. The facilities were just too cramped and not ideal for the overall rehabilitation of the young men who come to the institution to improve their behavior.

But today cadets were celebrating not only the fact that they leave for home to enjoy the Christmas holiday but on their return to mile twenty one and half on the western highway they will be moving into their new and spacious dormitory.

Jeffrey Said Guzman - 18 years old
“I like the new dormitory because it is more better than the older one because the older one does not have a fan and the new one has fans. It’s nice to sleep and in the older one, I cannot sleep good.”

Cody Palacio - 16 years old
“The condition of the old building is terrible because it was dirty, small and hot. I am glad because that one has in fans, bathroom inside, tiles, fresh air. I feel good about it ma’am.”

Sandra Mcclaren - Ag. Manager, National Youth Cadet Corp
“As before we had several little dorms and so the officer would have to be moving from one dormitory to another dormitory. Here we have one dorm, we have one sitting room area, we have one recreational are where everybody is hosted in.”

And there is enough room to now hold up to seventy two residents.

When you realize that most of the persons getting into trouble with the law are among the young population, it was refreshing to see the discipline displayed by these thirteen to eighteen year old cadets who. like their peers were at risk, but were recruited to make a positive change in society.

The youths voluntarily enroll in a two year programme that requires them to leave home and live several months at a time at the facility.

Sandra Mcclaren - Ag. Manager, National Youth Cadet Service Corp
“They volunteered, they have decided that they want to make a change, a difference in their life in their country and their community.”

But the life changing experience is not easy. After completing the twenty four month programme many of the young residents do return to the institution for reinforced training to help cope with the challenges confronting them.

Sandra Mcclaren - Ag Manager, National Youth Cadet Service Corp
“We look for youths who are what you would call out of school, who are high risks, who are at the age of getting into a bit of trouble or into the court system.”

The new intake, a total of twenty five young men spent their first seven weeks undergoing educational and personal development skills that should help them to stay out of trouble when they go back home for the Christmas Holiday.

Shelby Guerrero - 14 years old
“This show that if you do not have any education you are on the streets doing drugs and you end up in different situations that you do not want to be in.”

Jacqueline Godwin, 7News
“So you think that mommy and daddy will be seeing a difference in Alexander when you go back home?”

Alexander Ruano - 17 years old
“Yes Ma’am.”

Jacqueline Godwin, 7News
“And what message you have for your friends, friends out there who are still giving some trouble, what do you think you will tell them when you go back home?”

Alexander Ruano - 17 years old
“To come here to cadet and do like me.”

Jacqueline Godwin, 7News
“Are you feeling a little bit nervous or are you confident that you may not have to start all over again when they return in January?”

Sandra Mcclaren - Ag. Manager, National youth cadet service Corp
“I am very confident because we have done a lot of work with them and we have seen the big improvement and changes in them already and we are sure that they are ready to face thechallenge that is set before them.”

Before the cadets departed for home some were recognized for their outstanding performance. Awards were also given to teachers and individuals who have made a significant difference in these young men’s lives. For 7News Jacqueline Godwin.

It took eleven months to construct the new dormitories. The $187,00.00 came from loan funds received from the Caribbean Development Bank. The Cadet Service Corp Management also contributed $3,800.00 in labor that included spreading sand fill. The building can also be used as a hurricane shelter.