XN000022-1987-10-01 — Page 4

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1,

1987

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SERVICES FOR STREET SLEEPERS

THE LIVING

THE UNITED NATIONS HAS DESIGNATED 1987

AS THE "INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS" (IYSH) TO HELP IMPROVE CONDITIONS OF THE POOR AND TO CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL CONCERN TO THE PROBLEMS FACING STREET SLEEPERS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

SOLVE

SOCIAL

IN RESPONSE ΤΟ THE APPEAL, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE POLICY AND TO CO-ORDINATE PLANNING AND PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR STREET SLEEPERS, MR LAW WHEN OFFICIATING AT A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY CATHOLIC CHURCH COMMITTER FOR THE 1987 IYSH IN SHA TIN.

UP A

THE SAID

THE

SOCIAL

ON THE SERVICES RENDERED TO STREET SLEEPERS BY THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR LAW SAID THEY INCLUDED BOTH DIRECT INDIRECT SERVICES.

AND

CENTRES THEM

"FOR DIRECT SERVICES, STAFF OF OUR FAMILY SERVICKS KEEP FREQUENT CONTACTS WITH STREET SLEEPERS IN ORDER TO PERSUADE TO ACCEPT OUR ASSISTANCE.

AS

"OUTREACHING TEAMS HAVE BEEN SET UP IN OUR FOUR OPERATIONAL REGIONS TO PROVIDE COUNSELLING, CASH AND OTHER MATERIAL ASSISTANCE WELL

AS REFERRAL FOR RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS, MEDICAL TREATMENT, REHABILITATION SERVICES OR EMPLOYMENT,

10 HE SAID.

"AS A RESULT OF THE JOINT EFFORTS OF OUR FAMILY CENTRES AND OUR OUTREACHING

SERVICES TEAMS, SOME 300 STREET SLEEPERS AGREED TO ACCEPT OUR SERVICES BETWEEN MAY

HAVE AND AUGUST, WITH 119 OR THEM BEING GIVEN RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS OR COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING WHILE THE REMAINING APPLICATIONS ARE BEING PROCESSED,

"I

HE ADDED.

TO

ON INDIRECT SERVICES, MR LAW SAID THE DEPARTMENT TRIED ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY GROUPS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN SERVICE PROJECTS FOR STREET SLEEPERS 90 AS TO ENHANCE PEOPLE'S UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR PROBLEMS AND

LOCAL

TOWARDS THEM.

CARING

CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, SUCH A9 ORGANISED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH COMMITTEE FOR HELP AROUSE PUBLIC ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM ENCOURAGE MORE COMMUNITY EFFORTS FOR THEM, MR LAW SAID.

IN

PROVIDING

OF

BECOME MORE

TODAY'S KXHIBITION, THE 1987 IYSH COULD STREET SLEEPERS AND APPROPRIATE SERVICES

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