Youth Work
67. The provision of children and youth services is designed for the development of the moral, social, mental and physical well-being of young people through group programmes, recreational activities and community service projects. Youth programmes in the form of regular youth friendship clubs, interest groups, mass activities, and youth volunteers service projects are currently operated through the community centres and Sham Shui Po and Fanling Rotary Youth Centres. The Self-programming Youth Group Scheme, which empha- sizes self-direction and community service, is widely implemented in all field units to give maximum opportunities for the development of leadership and community spirit. More than 2,000 youths participated in this scheme, on a regular basis. The Division's Youth Camp at Tsuen Wan and the Fanling Youth Hostel were used by 2,718 and 3,750 young people respectively during the year. Leadership training courses for voluntary leaders and committee members of Youth Groups were conducted regularly by the Youth Work Unit.
Library and Rural Mobile Services
68. Library facilities are provided at all community centres. These libraries serve as reading rooms for young people as well as providing for readers' activities and book-lending services for residents in the neighbourhood. They form an integral part of the community service in the centres. The mobile library continues to render book-lending services and recreational activities to villagers in the New Territories.
Voluntary agencies
69. The Division maintains close liaison with voluntary agencies involved in youth and community work and in particular with the Children and Youth Division of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service which is the co-ordinating body for some thirty voluntary youth organizations. For development of youth services, the Depart- ment continued to provide financial and other forms of assistance to voluntary youth organizations such as the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association, Caritas, the Chinese Y.M.CA, Y.W.CA., etc. During the year, twenty-two new projects have been established by these youth agencies including new children and youth centres, camps, and playleadership schemes.
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