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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited some street sleepers in Western District and Shau Kei Wan tonight (December 18) to show his concern and offer them cold weather outfits.
Mr Cheung first visited the Sai On Centre in Sai Ying Pun, which is the base of the Integrated Services Team for Street Sleepers of St James' Settlement, where he was briefed by the organisation's Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Cynthia Luk, and Senior Manager (Family and Counselling Services), Ms Wendy Wong, on the services provided for street sleepers. He also spoke with frontline social workers and volunteers to learn more about the background of the homeless people under their assistance.
"The Government is very concerned about homeless people and they each have their own story of hardship. The Social Welfare Department through subvented non-governmental organisations has all along been providing a wide range of supportive services for street sleepers, including outreach, counselling, financial and accommodation assistance, referral for rehabilitation and other support services," said Mr Cheung.
Mr Cheung then joined frontline social workers and volunteers to visit some street sleepers in Western District and Shau Kei Wan, and presented them with blankets, warm clothes and food packs as well as encouraging them to take shelter at the temporary cold shelters.
He also encouraged the social workers and volunteers to keep up their good work and assist homeless people rebuild their self-confidence and re-integrate into the community through the provision of counselling and referral of relevant support services.
Ends/Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Issued at HKT 22:21
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