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The Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, said today (August 15) he was delighted to see that outreach social services programmes had helped reduce recidivism among youths at risk.
Accompanied by Sham Shui Po District Officer, Miss May Chan, Mr Lee met a group of youths at risk during a visit to the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong Jockey Club Cheung Sha Wan Children and Youth Integrated Services Centre in Sham Shui Po.
Mr Lee was told that the "Youth Action Network" programme helped these youths improve their self-confidence and fostered their integration into the community, thereby reducing recidivism among rehabilitated offenders.
The network is run by the Sham Shui Po District Fight Crime Committee and the Boys' & Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong Sham Shui Po District Youth Outreach Social Work Team. It provides a host of activities and counselling services for young people. There are about 150 participants in the network, including young people under the supervision of the Superintendent's Discretion Scheme, youths at risk and street gangs.
The network introduced a "mentor scheme" in June and invited local community leaders to be mentors. Mentors will listen to the young people's views and problems, share their thinking and experiences and give them advice. The youths at risk will be able to broaden their horizons while taking part in recreational activities with their mentors.
Mr Lee also went to the Cheung Sha Wan Community Centre, where he was briefed on child and spouse abuse cases in the district. Mr Lee praised the efforts of the frontline social workers in providing counselling and support services to disturbed families.
Mr Lee ended his Sham Shui Po tour by visiting the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre in Shek Kip Mei.
Ends/Friday, August 15, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:58
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