ENG-1963 — Page 256

SOCIAL WELFARE

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recreation. The special needs of young people were met on an increasing scale by a number of organizations such as the YMCA, YWCA, scouts and guides and the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association.

Community and Social Centres. The development of community facilities made further progress with the opening of the Sheung Shui Social Centre in the north of the New Territories which provides library and group activities. The third community centre at Kwun Tong was completed at the end of the year and plans are in hand to establish a fourth at Tai Hang Tung resettlement estate. Although community organization is a comparatively new field of social work in Hong Kong, members of the various groups operating in the two community centres at Wong Tai Sin and Tsuen Wan, and in the social centre at the former Tsan Yuk Hospital building, are beginning to show a community spirit and a growing awareness that each individual, as a citizen of Hong Kong, has duties and responsibilities. The library in each of the centres caters for some 4,000 readers a day with extension services for children.

Hong Kong is fortunate in having so many local and inter- national welfare and religious organizations which contribute generously in work and resources to many forms of social service. To prevent duplication, to co-ordinate services, to plan for future needs and to interpret these needs to the public, various co- ordinating bodies have been set up. The Hong Kong Conference of Youth Organizations bring together organizations with concern in the field of youth services; and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, with over 60 affiliated organizations acts in a general co-ordinating role, undertaking information and publicity work well beyond the confines of Hong Kong.