Seventy KPMG staff pitch in to help young people’s charity
A young people’s charity got a new look yesterday after a team of volunteers from an auditing firm rolled up their sleeves to help out.
Teen Services and Teen Haven, on the grounds of Fort Hamilton, is expanding its services later this year after an upper level of the building got vacated by its former tenant.
But a lot of work is required first, from cleaning to painting – and a group of more than 70 KPMG staff pitched in to assist.
Troy Symonds, the chairman of Teen Services, said the late Olga Scott, who dedicated most of her life to the charity, would have been “moved to tears to see this work”.
“It’s huge for us,” he added. “We are so appreciative to KPMG for coming and doing all this.
“There are more people that need help, and we want to be able to provide it.”
Wendy Augustus of Teen Services said they had been approached by KPMG volunteers looking to chip in at the facility.
“We indicated what work needed to be done – at that point the upstairs was still occupied by the tenant, so we let KPMG know as soon as it was vacant.
“Volunteers are here doing the pointing, gardening, maintenance; a little bit of everything for the property.”
She added: “The upstairs has been vacant more than a month, and we need to expand our services.”
She said Teen Services was “looking to expand our footprint, to become more accessible to young people and give them a place to come to consultation, interaction and to hang out”.
“We want a space where young people can feel comfortable, and to expand our residential services for young mothers and children.
“At the moment we have five rooms downstairs, but now this allows us to have approximately eight rooms.”
Angell Kasparian, director of markets at KPMG, told The Royal Gazette: “Having an impact in our community is really important for us.”
The firm has an annual Make a Difference Day when volunteers select one or two worthy causes in need of assistance.
“At the end of the day you’re covered in dirt and sweaty,” Ms Kasparian said. “But you can look back and see you’ve really made a difference.”
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