Serving the
unprivileged and responding effectively to social needs are
always our motto. This is our 50th year of service; we would
like to put much emphasis on fulfilling our goal on 'helping
to rebuild'.
Amidst
the recent unfavorable social and economic environment, young
females, who are typically school dropouts and without work,
are helplessly fallen into the vicious cycle of unemployment,
depression and defiance. Many of these youngsters have since
gone astray and eventually become addicted to drugs and alcohol.
The "Project City -
City Intensive Training for Youth' Program", a 2-year experimental
project sponsored by the Beat Drugs Fund that started in 1999
and ended in 2001, was targeted to help in re-building this
deprived group. The project had successfully served 343 youths,
who were led to go through an efficacy training, to protect
them against negative influence, to overcome adversity and to
re-build a healthy life style. The project had received many
acknowledgements yet the demand was much higher than what was
expected. Although we had taken in over three hundred applicants,
there were twice the numbers on that waiting list. The sponsorship
of the project was on a time base policy, so after the two-year
term it was terminated in June 2001.
To
date, there are over two thousand school dropouts each year.
As the high unemployment percentage continues, it is likely
to see more youths being affected in this unfavorable environment.
We are desperate to call people from all walks of life to show
their concern for these high-risk young females by offering
them a positive alternative of living through taking part in
bringing the 'Project City' back again. Details on how you can
help can be obtained through our agency web
page (Chinese version only). Your support will surely demonstrate
the motto of "helping one another". We feel very strongly
never to give up any one of these high-risk females, not
even one.
Ex-member's feedback:
' In the past, I always go with my peers to so called 'enjoy
our dinner' (meaning taking Cannabis, ICE, Thinner). By joining
the Project City, I learned a lot and finally came to realize
the pains and drawback for taking drugs. I am so blessed that
I have decided to join the project' .
Mother of ex-member:
' My daughter is more sensible and seldom stays out late now;
she talks to me more frequently and our relationship improves
tremendously. Joining the project has brought much good to her'
.
