In the last few years, Hong Kong
has been undergoing rapid economic and social changes. Reports
of suicides, mental breakdown, child abuse, family violence
and homicides appear almost every day on newspapers. Such changes
had given Hong Kong people tremendous stress. Hong Kong Christian
Service as a family service provider has become extremely concerned
about our increasing difficulty to cater to all the needs from
families who turn to us.
'Family Networks'
service
We have decided to actively
counteract this coming challenge by taking up an integrated
family service pilot project. We began our operation in the
"Family Networks" on May 7, 2002. Both intra- and
inter-family connections will be the focus of our efforts in
the coming two years.
A lot of our initial work
has centered on active promotion. We have been promoting a long
list of related services and programs to the community through
different channels that include the media. We have visited quite
a number of schools and churches, with some of which we have
agreed on certain concrete plans for joint programs in the coming
months. We have attempted a seminar for primary school teachers
to discern the early signs of family risks among school students.
The program was well received by more than 100 teachers. We
will soon launch a series of lunchtime programs for white-collar
workers in the commercial district of Tsim Sha Tsui. We have
also made plans to do community promotion at different hot spots
around the district, and to put up promotion stalls in major
residential complexes.
Our services include remedial
services through individual counseling and therapeutic groups,
family life education programs, interest and recreational programs
aim at strengthening emotional bond among family members and
the development of supportive mutual help networks. Staff at
the center will solicit additional support and cooperation through
establishing connections with community groups, schools and
churches. We will actively develop a network of volunteers as
our partners in service.
'Hope Line'
On-Board
Apart
from direct services, HKCS has collaborated with Showers of
Blessing Evangelistic Ministry (Hong Kong Branch) and has produced
a series of 8 episodes on handling adversities in life. This
series, namely "Hopefully Yours", was transmitted
through two platforms, i.e. mobile media on-board of M Channel
(in June) and Roadshow (in August).
The episodes consist of interviews
with people who have overcome adversities such as unemployment,
poverty, bitter love affairs/divorce, drug or substance abuse
and/or family disruption. Constructive and gratifying angle
are brought to the audience attention and suggestions by professionals
are provided. Information on Hotlines or units that offers help
or support will be shown at the end of each episode. People
of Hong Kong are facing adversities and downturns, we hope this
!¥hope line!| can help to overcome adversities and bring a glimpse
of light to our society.
The series are uploaded in
HKCS web-site
(Chinese version only).
