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FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
OUTREACHING APPROACH IN FAMILY SERVICES
AN EXPERIMENTAL OUTREACHING SCHEME IS BEING CARRIED OUT TO ASSIST FAMILIES MOVING INTO NEW TOWN ΤΟ SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SHE SAID FAMILIES MOVING INTO A NEW TOWN MIGHT FACE MANY COMMON PROBLEMS SUCH AS LOSING THE SUPPORTIVE LINK FROM FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, AND EXPERIENCING GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURE IN AJUSTNG TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED FAMILY CENTRE OF THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE AT SHAN KING ESTATE IN TUEN MUN, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE WELFARE AGENCY HAD APPLIED OUTREACHING TECHNIQUES IN FAMILY SERVICES AND MOBILISED COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO HELP THE NEW ARRIVALS.
"WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF SOCIAL WORKERS, THESE FAMILIES CAN GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AND ADAPT TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENT," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG DEMAND FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES FROM FAMILIES WHO JUST MOVED INTO THE NEW TOWNS.
IN TUEN MUN DISTRICT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE NUMBER OF FAMILY CASES HANDLED BY BOTH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WAS 2,136 CASES AS AT THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR, WHILE THE NUMBER OF CASES DEALT WITH IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR WAS 1,907, REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 12 PER CENT.
THE FAMILY CENTRE IN TUEN MUN IS AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT FUNDED BY THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG. IN ADDITION TO CASE REFERRALS AND COUNSELLING SERVICES, IT ALSO PROVIDES COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL AND MUTUAL-HELP PROGRAMMES FOR FAMILIES IN THE DISTRICT.
THE CENTRE ALSO ORGANISES SUPPORTIVE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN. THESE INCLUDE PARENTS GROUPS, CHILD CARE GROUPS, STUDY GROUPS AND TALKS ON SEXUAL EDUCATION. THEY ARE WELL RECEIVED BY FAMILIES IN THE DISTRICT.
MRS WONG ALSO COMMENDED THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE FOR ITS OUTSTANDING AND DIVERSIFIED SERVICES OVER THE YEARS.
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