The Bank of Bermuda's Centennial Trust has made a "very generous'' donation to Fair Havens Christian Care Association.

The bank has donated $150,000 to help pay for renovations to the Cabana Apartments which the Association bought in the spring of 1998 to convert to a new 18-bed residential facility for women trying to recover from substance abuse.

On Friday, Pat Lyn, chairperson of the board of Fair Havens, David Lang, representing the Trust, and Fair Havens executive director Caron Assan assembled at the Cabana Apartments in Smith's Parish to look at plans detailing the renovations and improvements to the property.

Mrs. Lyn expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Bank of Bermuda for their support in funding the endeavour.

"It wouldn't be possible without the generous funding from the Bank and we are grateful for their support, belief in and commitment to the project,'' she said.

Mrs. Lyn said they were currently obtaining bids from local contractors for the work and hoped to move into the new facility by Christmas.

The Centennial Trust was established in 1989 to celebrate the Bank of Bermuda's 100th anniversary.

"The goal of the Trust is to donate money to worthy causes in Bermuda, to jump start new initiatives'' said Mr. Lang.

The Trust became aware of Fair Havens' need for assistance with this project and the trustees decided to help. The Cabana property, which was formerly tourist apartments, had to be sold because of the owner's ill-health.

Mrs. Lyn said: "It was the right size for us and had the appearance of a residence which was important.'' She stressed that Fair Havens' Association wanted to create a family home environment in its new facility.

"Our current facility in Hamilton has no property attached to it and the only area for recreation is the veranda,'' she explained. She added that tranquillity and peace are an important part of recovery.

Ms Assan, who is in charge of the day-to-day running of Fair Havens and its treatment programme, said the new facility would permit Fair Havens to improve and upgrade their programme to provide "full treatment'' of the individual.

Fair Havens' clients take part in group work and learn about health and nutrition, self-management and life skills. She stressed that the aim of the programme is to return clients to the community as capable, employable, responsible individuals.

She explained that the facility at Cabana would provide a "transitional phase'' and enable clients to live independently in self-contained apartments with the support of staff on-site.

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