SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1987
2
MORE SERVICES FOR STREET SLEEPERS PLANNED
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REGIONAL OUTREACHING TEAMS WILL BE SET UP BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO AUGMENT EXISTING SERVICES FOR STREET SLEEPERS.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, AFTER VISITING THE HOME OF LOVE OPERATED BY THE MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY FOR STREET SLEEPERS IN THE EX-S HAM SHUI PO ARMY CAMP TODAY (SATURDAY).
DURING THE VISIT, SHE HANDED OVER TO THE SUPERVISOR SISTER VICTORIA, THE KEYS FOR ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION T BOOST THE HOME'S CAPACITY FROM 40 TO 60.
MRS CHAN SAID THAT A NUMBER OF MEASURES WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO STEP UP SERVICES FOR STREET SLEEPERS TO MARK THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS.
+WE BELIEVE THAT COMMUNITY EFFORTS IN THE DISTRICTS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED, SO WE WILL BE INVOLVING VOLUNTEERS IN OUR REGIONAL OUTREACH TEAMS, SHE SAID.
FOUR TEAMS WILL BE ORGANISED TO COVER HONG KONG ISLAND, EAST KOWLOON, WEST KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY WILL CONTACT STREET SLEEPERS, DELIVER RELIEF ARTICLES AND BLANKETS TO THEM AND ESCORT THEM IF REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION OF IDENTITY CARDS, MEDICAL SERVICES AND ANY OTHER WELFARE SERVICES.
+OUR FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES ARE IN FACT RENDERING THESE SERVICES BUT IT IS HOPED THAT WITH THE SETTING UP OF SPECIAL TEAMS, GREATER EFFORTS CAN BE DEVOTED TO PERSUADING THESE PEOPLE TO LEAVE THE STREETS AND ACCEPT OUR SERVICES,+ MRS CHAN SAID.
ANOTHER PLAN TO MOBILISE COMMUNITY EFFORTS WOULD BE TO DEDICATE THIS YEAR'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME TO HELPING THE HOMELESS, SHE ADDED.
THE SCHEME IS OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO SUBSIDISE YOUTH GROUPS IN CARRYING OUT INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES PROJECTS WHICH ARE CONDUCIVE TO THEIR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY.
AS FOR STREET SLEEPERS SUSPECTED TO BE MENTALLY ILL, SHE NOTED THAT THE GREATEST DIFFICULTY WAS IN COMMUNICATING WITH THEM AND SUSTAINED AND FRIENDLY PERSUASION WAS NEEDED TO GET THEM TO ACCEPT ASSISTANCE.
+WE ARE PLANNING A NEW FACILITY CALLED DAY RELIEF CENTRE CUM TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR THIS SPECIAL TARGET GROUP, SHE SAID.
/THE DAY