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The United Court Transitional Housing project, which will soon be developed and run by the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, held a groundbreaking ceremony today (16 June). The ceremony was officiated by Chief Executive Mrs Carrie Lam; the Most Revd Andrew Chan, Archbishop and Primate of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, gave his blessings for the project’s commencement.   Dr Donald Li, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Board of Directors, thanked Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) for leasing land for the development for a minimum of eight years at a nominal HK$1, adding that low-income families can move to the development when the project is completed mid-2022. “Making this groundbreaking ceremony happen in such a short time was only possible,” he said, “with the support of the Transport and Housing Bureau and other government departments; Sun Hung Kai Properties; the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk; the Shap Pat Heung Rural Committee; the Yuen Long District Council; CLP Power Hong Kong Limited; The Parcville, among other organisations and individuals.” Li went on to thank SHKP’s enthusiastic support for the project: in addition to assisting the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council with the project’s initial planning and site formation, SHKP will also render assistance during the construction stage.   Mr Raymond Kwok, SHKP Chairman & Managing Director, said “SHKP has been developing landmark properties in Yuen Long for more than four decades and have a deep connection with the Yuen Long community.  It gives us great pleasure to lease this quality plot of land to help address the short-term housing needs of low-income families.  United Court will provide 1,800 flats, benefiting 5,000 families or 10,000 people.”   Mr Kwok also said, “Yet aside from building transitional housing, we also need to meet society’s long-term housing needs, and it is vital for both the public and private sectors to give full play to their respective strengths to increase land and housing supply.”   Guests who officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony alongside the Chief Executive included the Most Revd Andrew Chan, Dr Donald Li, Mr Raymond Kwok, Secretary for Transport and Housing Mr Frank Chan, Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties-Kwoks’ Foundation Mr Thomas Kwok, Sun Hung Kai Properties Executive Director Mr Adam Kwok, New Territories Heung Yee Kuk Chairman Mr Kenneth Lau, and Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Director Dr Jane Lee.   Other guests included legislative council members Mr Tommy Cheung, Mr Michael Tien and Mr Vincent Cheng; heads of various government departments, including Under Secretary for Transport and Housing Dr Raymond So, Commissioner of Police Mr Chris Tang, Director of Fire Services Mr Joseph Leung, Director of Drainage Services Ms Alice Pang, Deputy Director-General of the Social Work Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R. Mr Zhou He; and other members of the community, including about a dozen people who wish to move in to United Court.   Funding from the Transport and Housing Bureau The Transport and Housing Bureau donated some HK$10 billion to the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council to develop the United Court Transitional Housing project, which will be overseen by the bureau. With a buildable floor area of around 420,000 sq. ft., the Kau Hui Road development is adjacent to Sha Pui Tsuen in Yuen Long. United Court will be built using modular integrated construction technology and will comprise eight residential zones, four-storey buildings and 1,800 units for one-, two-, three-, and four to five-person barrier-free units that range from 147 to 340 sq. ft. The project is expected to benefit some 5,000 underprivileged families in total.   Integrated Services for a Harmonious Community United Court will have communal kitchens, children’s play areas, recreational areas and various themed activity zones to foster interactions among residents and create a harmonious living environment. United Court will also come with a community centre that offers integrated services, such as childcare, parental education, nursing consultation and counselling. The centre will also create opportunities for residents to engage in social activities, as well as employment opportunities. The aerial view model of the development, as well as the models of its architecture and the layout of its units were revealed at the groundbreaking ceremony.   Design Thinking that Addresses Accommodation Needs With the needs of future residents and their sense of belonging in mind, United Court’s units will feature design thinking and person-centred elements. The project team had organised an experiential event that invited over a hundred of qualified users to test a live-sized model unit and share their opinions. Their suggestions, which included the direction of doors, space required for shoe cabinets, washing machine setups and the inclusion of Wi-Fi routers, have been incorporated in the design of United Court units.   Well-Being Index to Help Improve Residents’ Confidence United Court prioritises the wellbeing of residents and will be the first transitional housing initiative to introduce Well-Being Index. Based on its residents’ needs for technological applications, health awareness, emotional management, spiritual fulfilment, social participation, environmental protection, financial management and occupational counselling, United Court will provide residents with relevant support to encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and develop good self-esteem. Learn more about the project in this video:

不捨 本會執行委員會及全會同工，以不捨之情深切哀悼回歸天父懷抱的社會福利署副署長林嘉泰先生。嘉泰關懷弱小，為社會福利工作 鞠躬盡瘁 ，是非政府機構的好伙伴，也是業界與政府的好橋樑。他細心聆聽業內的意見，切實回應業界的需要，他的離逝令人深感婉惜。   懷念我們對嘉泰充滿懷念之情，對他爾雅温文和謙遜虔敬的待人接物態度，印象深刻。本會一位文職前線同工在嘉泰入院前一星期與他偶遇，同工當時並不知道在旁邊的是嘉泰副署長，雖然彼此互不相識，嘉泰卻禮讓同工先行並報以微笑，臨别主動說聲再見，同工及後讀報才知悉是社會福利署林嘉泰副署長因病暈倒入院醫治，為此感受尤深。嘉泰是我們香港人的典範，值得學效，更應稱許。   祝福我們對嘉泰的家人送上摰誠的祝福。也為社會福利署署長和同工團隊為失去一位極優秀的同工，送上最深切的慰問。   深信在天上的父，收納嘉泰副署長的靈魂，並在祂的懷抱裡得享永生。

香港聖公會福利協會2019至20年度年會於今日(10日)下午正式舉行。由於疫情關係，今年年會改以視像形式進行，邀得香港聖公會教省主教長及福利協會名譽贊助人鄺保羅大主教擔任主禮嘉賓，與香港聖公會教省代表、福利協會一眾董事會及執行委員會委員和同工，一起回顧福利協會過去一年之工作成果。   福利協會董事會主席李國棟醫生SBS，OstJ，JP在會上感激同工在疫情中仍以服務對象的福祉為先，努力回應社會需要，勇於接受挑戰，走進不同的服務新領域。福利協會總幹事李正儀博士，JP亦匯報機構本年度如何透過各個新服務項目，為學前幼兒、青少年、家庭、長者、少數族裔人士及智障人士等提供全面支援。   最後即將榮休的鄺保羅大主教回顧了過去30多年與福利協會在不同方面的協作，充分體現了堂社合作一家親的精神，並期盼福利協會繼續秉持主的教導，照顧及關懷弱小，帶領他們走出疫症的幽谷。福利協會管層理稍後亦會向同工頒發長期服務獎，感謝他們多年來的努力。

香港聖公會福利協會(「福利協會」)今日欣悉城市規劃委員會(「城規會」)批准於元朗山貝路興建「同心村」過渡性房屋項目的規劃許可申請。福利協會十分感謝運輸及房屋局的積極參與和協調推動，以及各相關的政策局/政府部門、元朗區議會、十八鄉鄉事委員會、新鴻基地產、元朗各個地方團體、不同組織和市民對項目的意見和支持，令項目能在短期內落實。   「同心村」位於元朗東頭，居民只需步行約十分鐘便可到達港鐵元朗站，附近社區配套設施理想。項目提供共1800個單位，設有1-2人、3人及4-5人單位，可滿足不同需要的弱勢社群。村內亦設有不同設施，包括：便利士多、生活用品館、社區小廚、健康中心、綜合社會服務中心、就業支援中心等，照顧居民所需。整個工程項目預計在2022年第2季落成後入伙。   「同心村」座落的地皮由新鴻基地產以象徵式港幣1元租借，為期最少8年。新地除提供地皮外，亦為項目提供前期項目規劃、基本地盤平整工程及技術支援。新地並會考慮優先聘用條件合適的居民在該區工作。   福利協會十分期望進一步與不同企業和社群合作，共同㩦手，打造同心村項目，可幫助基層及低收入家庭改善居住環境，同時透過所提供的社會服務，鼓勵入住居民積極參與社區，「同心共建」一個關愛、互助、共融的小社區。

自二月初「心意行動」收集口罩及防疫用品，再分發予有需要人士，然而新冠肺炎疫情持續，影響香港社會嚴重，公司倒閉裁員，不少市民面對失業，打工仔手停口停，生活受到很大的影響。近日，不少聖公會學校教師及教堂教友向「心意行動」表示，有不少低收入家庭因父母突然失業或開工不足，令家庭出現經濟困難，三餐不繼，需要緊急援助。   「心意行動」現期望透過緊急援助，幫助有需要而又未能受惠於現時福利服務的聖公會群體，包括教友、學生及其家庭，提供短期緊急現金或食物援助，以支援其生活所需。由於需求殷切，「心意行動」現呼籲聖公會群體內的弟兄姊妹伸出援手，透過心意行動平台，捐贈現金或超市禮券，以便送予有需要的家庭，以愛心攜手面對這困境。各牧區、傳道區及弟兄姊妹可透過心意行動電話：8209 8122或心意行動Whatsapp號碼：5263 5850，向負責社工陳宛儀Poline或計劃幹事陳蔚軒Michael查詢捐贈安排。

Young people may feel confused and lost in their journey of growth, before realising and getting closer to their goals. On 11st January, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council’s Loving Arts Youth Academy held a graduation concert, “Seek”, which let young people express through music and dance the ups and downs they encountered when pursing their dreams.   The Bittersweet Pursuit of Dreams Established in 2017, the Loving Arts Youth Academy was sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to organise a 3-year “Loving Arts Youth Development Scheme”, which aims to groom young people through music, dance and counselling services. The scheme has recruited 1,800 members, held music, dance, physical and aesthetic classes and activities which had a total turnout of 28,000, and provided 4,900 sessions of counselling activities.   Over the past 3 years, the academy has formed 17 band teams and 35 dance teams, composed 16 songs, and held an array of large-scale artistic events.   The concert used “to seek” as the theme. Life is a continued search, like a maze filled with uncertainties. While pursuing your dream, one may experience ups and downs. The more you are able to appreciate the ups and downs, the more you will be able to learn, find hope, and yourself. Having encountered these processes and feelings, students of the Loving Arts Youth Academy depicted their relatable experiences onstage.   Touching Moments after the Show Since July 2019, the academy has been preparing for the show, such as arranging intensive training and rehearsals for youth members who were selected for performance. Mr Abraham Shek, Executive Committee Member of the Welfare Council, and Dr Jane Lee, Director of the Welfare Council, were invited to officiate at the show. The youth member then kickstart the show with a spectacular dance performance that showcased the youth in pursuit of their dreams, which made an impact on guests.   The youth members did not only feel grateful for the show’s success but also had different feelings and experiences during the whole journey. Fu Nam-hei (傅南希), a dance enthusiast from the team, said she learnt to persevere and have faith to reach for their dreams. Another team member, Lam Wing-yee (林詠怡) met many good friends with the same passion, and realised that she enjoyed performing onstage after the show. “When looking back 10 years later, I will have no regrets for my youth. Thank you, “Seek”, for the opportunity!” Lam added.   Ms Billy Tam, service supervisor of Loving Arts Youth Academy, thanked staff for their joint efforts in grooming young people through music and dance. “We are really touched to see young members’ growth and transformation. Although the show and scheme have ended, the academy will continue to organise more professional art training and activities for the youth as so to help them grow and explore their potential,” Tam said.   Please visit the academy’s website (https://www.lovingarts.hk) or call 2633 2231 for the latest news and enquiries.