Local and international Kiwanis members teamed up with Teen Haven to give two of their rooms a fresh coat of paint.

Members of the international non-profit organisation also hosted workshops for the residents of the Bermuda charity, which assists young mothers and their children.

And an afternoon tea featured notable guests including Teen Haven founder Olga Scott and her husband, former premier Alex Scott, New England and Bermuda Kiwanis district governor William Jenkins and his wife Jean Jenkins, as well as Bermuda’s lieutenant governor Lionel Swan and first lady Patricia Swan.

“It was a wonderful gesture from the Kiwanis,” Teen Haven executive director Michelle Wade told The Royal Gazette.

“Running a residential facility is quite costly and when you have clients or residents in and out, there is definitely wear and tear.”

But she said even small improvements to the facility, which is home to five women and five children, can lift everyone’s spirits and encourages residents to take pride in their personal space.

“One of our mandates is to ensure we are helping them become independent and to be responsible for their own space,” she said.

“It also shows the young ladies that someone cares in the community,” she added.

“The main thing is to encourage them to keep their spaces immaculate and to uplift their spirits to want to do better on their journey. We are very thankful to the Kiwanis.”

The women were able to choose the colours they wanted and according to senior case worker Zena Francis, this personalised the whole experience.

She added that their reaction was “priceless” when they saw the finished rooms.

The event held on Thursday last week was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Bermuda, which consist of the St George’s and the Hamilton clubs.

Leleath Bailey, president of the Hamilton club, explained they put on a project every year to coincide with the official visit of the government of the New England and Bermuda District.

“This year, we chose to do the project at Teen Haven,” she said, noting that both organisations are charities that contribute to the community.

In addition to painting the two bedrooms, they also hosted a series of workshops for the young women, including a floral workshop, a leadership workshop and a knitting and crochet workshop.

Bouquets made by the young women were featured in the afternoon tea.