Giving back to the community is a way of life for many local firms.

But one particular company is rolling-up its sleeves and taking a more hands-on approach with its next charitable deed.

Ernst & Young, one of the top five accounting firms in the world, will this weekend give a cherished Pembroke institution a `new look' thanks to a healthy dose of `TLC' from its selfless staff.

The Centre on Angle Street, which has been a neighbourhood haven since 1980, will be closed to the public tomorrow while volunteers from the world of finance show-off their artistic flare with a paint brush.

"We wanted our firm and personnel to become more involved in the community, a project where we could give back to the community,'' explained Carolyn Myers of Ernst & Young. "We already do many donations, but we wanted to do something different this time.'' And Ms Myers said that the firm wanted to focus on the youth and organisations which promote youth development.

"We went to our staff and asked them to offer some suggestions and they came back with several ideas,'' she recalled. "One of our staff recommended this Centre. We contacted the Centre supervisor Deeandre Banister and asked how we could help.'' Tomorrow, the dozens of Ernst & Young's employees will swap suits, calculators and the fast pace world of high finance for brushes, rollers and cans of paint.

"We will come in on Saturday and do a number of projects,'' explained Ms Myers. "We will paint the interior of the large games room/hall, the offices and the Latch Key area, which is the meeting area for children after school.

"We have over 75 of our staff volunteering. They'll start at 9 a.m. and work until around 1 or 2 p.m. We'll put the volunteers in teams and have different shifts.'' And Youth and Sports Minister, Dennis Lister, will pay the Centre a visit around noon to inspect the volunteers handiwork.

Ernst & Young's good deeds will continue well after this weekend's new paint has dried, Ms Myers said the firm plans to have a long-term relationship with the Centre.

"We will also donate new appliances, a fridge and stove, and HWP will donate a television and VCR,'' Ms Myers revealed. "And the Centre has asked for Internet access, so we're going to arrange for that.

"We will also provide additional storage area and shelves as well as have the floors cleaned.'' And the two sides are in talks to establish a community advice session where the public could take advantage of Ernst & Young's expertise in the financial arena.

"We have a legal advice and a counselling/social work session already,'' explained the Centre's Harold Minors. "We are hoping that we can offer this service but focusing on Ernst & Young's area of expertise which is financial planning and accounting.'' And the new partnership between the two organisations will definitely not be all work and no play. "Next year we want to have a games day where people from the firm challenge the Centre in various games,'' said Ms Myers. "It would be a lot of fun.

"The idea here is to have a relationship with the Centre all year around. If they need help with something, they can let us know.'' Youth and Sport's Keith Smith said the corporate/community partnership was a win-win situation for all involved, something the Ministry full supported.

"We are glad to be working with them,'' said Mr. Smith. "And we would like encourage this type of business involvement since Government has finite resources and can't do everything.

"Getting a company like this with its staff and resources to work with us for the long haul -- well you just can't ask for more.