SLW visits Home Care for Girls (with photos)
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     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (July 24) visited the Home Care for Girls in Tsing Yi to learn more about the residential care services provided by non-governmental organisations for children in need.

     Mr Cheung met with the founder and Executive Director of the Home Care for Girls, Sister Agnes Ho, and a number of board members to update himself on the services provided by the Home. Supervised by registered social workers, the Home Care for Girls provides residential care services ranging from six months to one year to girls aged 14 to 18 who lack family support or have been physically or mentally abused. Since its establishment in 1999, the Home has served over 500 teenage girls referred mainly by the Social Welfare Department or social workers stationed in schools.

     During his visit, Mr Cheung chatted with the girls in the Home. He was pleased to note that they were leading a healthy and orderly life in the Home's caring environment. The girls have learnt to respect one another, become self-reliant and treasure their own lives. Noting that the Home has provided the girls with academic or pre-employment assistance and encourages them to integrate with the community through voluntary services, Mr Cheung said he was glad to learn that many girls had successfully reunited with their families.

     Mr Cheung pointed out that the Government is very concerned about children who face family problems or personal behavioural and emotional problems and is committed to protecting their well-being. He warmly thanked the Home Care for Girls for serving the needy over the years under a self-financing mode.

Ends/Friday, July 24, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:46

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