XN000022-1987-07-26 — Page 4

SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1987

MORE JOINING IN TO HELP THE HOMELESS

RESPONDING

IT IS VERY HEARTENING TO SEE SO MANY ORGANISATIONS WARMLY TO THE PLEA TO HELP THE HOMELESS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

OFFICIATING AT THE "KNIT YOUR CARE, SHOW YOUR LOVE" FUNCTION ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG JAYCEETTEES AT THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA, MRS WONG SAID THAT 1987 HAD BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE UNITED NATIONS AS THE "INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS" CALLING FOR INCREASED AWARENESS AND ASSISTANCE FOR THE HOMELESS.

"IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET UP A CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE POLICY AND ΤΟ CO-ORDINATE THE WORK FOR STREET SLEEPERS BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.

"SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO SET UP IT'S OWN STEERING GROUP TO EXAMINE ALL THE RELATED ISSUES, TO MAP OUT THE STRATEGY AND TO CO-ORDINATE ALL THE ACTIVITIES, IN THIS AREA," SHE SAID.

"AT THE SAME TIME, FOUR REGIONAL OUTREACHING TEAMS HAVE BEEN FORMED, AND TOGETHER WITH STAFF FROM THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, THEY RENDER SERVICES FOR STREET SLEEPERS WHO ARE ELDERLY, DISABLED, PHYSICALLY OR MENTALL ILL, OR WHO ARE SUSPECTED DRUG ABUSERS.

"TEMPORARY SHELTERS AND DAY CENTRES ARE ALSO BEING OPERATED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES CATERING FOR THESE PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, SHE ADDED.

ΤΟ

MRS WONG NOTED THAT MANY ORGANISATIONS WERE ALSO RESPONDING THIS CALL FOR MORE SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS AND THE KNITTING COMPETITION BEING ORGANISED TODAY WAS A MEANINGFUL FUNCTION IN SUPPORT OF THE CAUSE.

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