by Krystal Paco

Guam - Due to a loss of federal funding, the Guam Center for Independent Living was forced to close its doors last month after servicing individuals with disabilities on the island for more than 20 years. The center helps individuals find jobs, provides medical equipment and home modification, free classes to assist with independent living and much more.

Tavita Faasuamalie is one of the center's 58 clients who no longer have a place to go to receive the service they need. "I wasn't happy about it because it's a place where we can go and seek help sometimes. But when it closed now we don't really have a place to go," she explained.

Dawn Waka added, "I'm hoping the governor can help us in ways that we can find money, I know it's not going to happen overnight but at least to help us find funding to continue to keep the center going."

Waka and others met with the Governor's Office today hoping the local government can step in to ensure their clients can continue receiving the help they need. Waka says it will cost about $200,000 to keep the center running every year.