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节录自︰《社联政策报》第三十八期 –《多元创造香港》            

  香港作為全球金融中心，縱然擁有穩健的經濟基礎，但同時存在嚴峻的貧富懸殊問題。根據樂施會2024年報告，香港整體貧窮率已達20.2%，超過139萬人處於貧窮狀態[1]。比較本港最低及最高收入家庭月入中位數，貧富差距更由2019年的34.3倍驟升至2024年的81.9倍，反映香港社會財富分配極度不均。這種懸殊差距不只影響社會穩定，更可能阻礙經濟的可持續發展。   為應對這一挑戰，特區政府雖然先後推出多項扶貧政策，但即使在經濟增長的同時，「貧富懸殊」和「貧者愈貧」的問題依然未見逆轉。根據兒童權利關注會的調查[2]，香港的經濟增長未能惠及所有階層；即使政府成立扶貧委員會，集中力量推動針對性的扶貧措施，成效仍然有限。特別是在疫情後的經濟復甦期間，基層市民面臨的困境更趨嚴重，促使社會各界開始思考更具創新性的解決方案。其中善導會的過渡性服屋項目便是其中之一。   社商合作房屋服務助脫貧 2022年，善導會獲房屋局資助興建「善匯」及「善樓」兩個過渡性房屋項目，並得到香港賽馬會慈善信託基金支持，推行「賽馬會躍見新生活計劃」。善導會過渡性房屋項目營運及服務經理蘇凱君表示，項目以「H.O.M.E.」為服務框架，結合「健康」（Health）、「機會」（Opportunity）、「生活意義」（Meaning of Living）及「與人結連」（Engaging people）四大元素，配合創新的脫貧介入模式，協助居民提升身心靈健康、坐言起行、理財及創富、家庭群策群力、未來適應及創造力、關愛及同理心，以及社會互助網絡等7大家庭能力。   蘇凱君表示，計劃巧妙結合各界專業優勢，創造多贏局面。在金融教育方面，銀行業策略夥伴為基層家庭提供專門的理財工作坊，並設計高息戶口和個人化理財指導。這種理論實踐並重的方式，不僅提升居民的理財知識，更為他們提供具體的儲蓄工具和動力。蘇凱君強調：「通過將居民日常財務挑戰轉化為學習機會，能更有效地培養他們的理財能力。」   在就業支援層面，項目借助賽馬會躍升事業發展中心的資源，由資深人力資源顧問為住戶提供就業指導。透過深入了解住戶的優勢和需求，結合專業的市場視野，協助他們開拓更廣闊的職業發展空間。這種全方位的支援模式已展現顯著成效，包括協助青年住戶透過數碼技能培訓實現職業轉型，以及幫助單親家庭建立互助網絡，創造進修和就業機會。   賦權培訓提升基層能力 蘇凱君強調，透過計劃期望能夠提升住戶能力和信心，讓他們從受助者轉變為社區的貢獻者。住戶可以成為社區導師，將所學回饋社區。同時，計劃也積極促進跨階層互動，例如邀請國際學校學生為基層兒童提供功課輔導，既能提升學習效果，又能促進社會共融。「我們觀察到，當住戶有機會參與社區事務和決策過程時，他們的自信心和社區歸屬感都明顯提升。這種改變往往能延伸至其他生活層面，例如更積極尋找就業機會或參與子女教育。」   蘇凱君期望，未來可以進一步深化跨界別合作。「只有通過社會各界的持續合作，才能建立起更完善的脫貧支援網絡。」事實上，善導會另一個突破性項目「賽馬會『拍住上』共居社區計劃」亦獲香港賽馬會慈善信託基金支持。該項目乃本港首個針對家外青年（16至26歲）和精神復元人士的一站式住宿及發展支援服務。計劃透過共居模式，不只解決住屋需求，更著重建立互助網絡，協助服務使用者克服人生轉折期的挑戰。     [1]https://www.oxfam.org.hk/tc/news-and-publication/the-wealth-gap-in-hong-kong-surges-to-819-times-elderly-poverty-exceed-580000 [2] https://soco.org.hk/pr20250101/  

SideBySide is honored to announce, in partnership with six leading social service organizations (Hong Kong Christian Service, The Boys' & Girls' Clubs Association, Caritas Hong Kong, Hong Kong Children & Youth Services, Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association and Generation Hong Kong), that CLAP@JC has been recognized with two distinguished awards at the Hong Kong Council of Social Service's Champions for Good Awards ceremony:   The Excellence in Impact Award (Platinum Award)   The Grand Prix Award in Driving Change   Key achievements: Pioneering Impact: Launched Hong Kong’s first evidence-based career development framework for youth. Scalable Change: Engaged 100,000+ students, 30,000 NEET youth, 3,700 employers, and trained 13,000+ teachers and social workers. Sustainable Collaboration: A powerful alliance between NGOs, educators, and businesses to empower future generations.   Acknowledgments: This accomplishment has been made possible through the generous funding and forward-looking vision of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, along with the unwavering commitment of all implementation partners, frontline professionals, and stakeholders. Their collective efforts are instrumental in creating meaningful opportunities for Hong Kong's younger generation.   Related news in English: Bastille Post︱HKCSS "Champions for Good Awards" 2025 Presented 31 Awards Recognizing Outstanding Achievements in the Social Service Sector Promoting Cross-Sector Collaboration for Collective Social Well-being  

The "Hang Seng Youth Career Planning Scheme," organised by SideBySide and fully supported by Hang Seng Bank, provides career development services for disadvantaged youth aged 16 to 30. Since its inception, the program has been running for ten years and has profoundly impacted the career paths and life journeys of many young people.   In recent years, changes in the social environment—such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the widespread application of artificial intelligence (AI), and the economic landscape, work models, and market transformations following the pandemic—have influenced young people's perspectives and aspirations regarding career planning. As times change, participants in the "Hang Seng Youth Career Planning Scheme" have also become more diverse. In addition to disadvantaged youth, the Scheme now includes more highly educated rehabilitated individuals, youth in mental recovery, and those with special learning needs. Over the past ten years, the Scheme has benefited 2,200 individuals, with 300 participating in work internships or shadowing experiences and 127 entrepreneurship funding projects awarded.   SideBySide Chief Executive, Anthea Lee (left) and Head of Corporate Communications and Community Investments, Hang Seng Bank, Betty Law (right)   The Scheme's content is designed to incorporate different elements in stages based on the needs of young people. It began with a focus on entrepreneurship training and support, then expanded to include shadowing experiences (2017-2019) and work internships (2020-2024), allowing youth to experience and explore various possibilities for career development in different ways. Over the past ten years, entrepreneurship training and startup grants have been very popular. In recent years, the awarded entrepreneurship funding projects have primarily focused on developing businesses based on personal interests and expertise, including customized blind boxes, snack teaching, music production, arts education, ceramic handicrafts, photography, coffee products and services, and tattooing.   (left)SideBySide Chief Executive, Anthea Lee; Head of Corporate Communications and Community Investments, Hang Seng Bank, Betty Law; Scheme participants Ka Wai, Scheme participants Nok   Related news in English: South China Morning Post - Hong Kong career scheme aims to give disadvantaged youth employment footing

  Hongkong Land is dedicated to supporting youth development as the key to building vibrant cities, and a sustainable future. Today, Hongkong Land HOME FUND announced that over the next three years, it will invest over HK$4 million in Impact Fund for Future, the latest project of SideBySide, to equip disadvantaged young people with the skills and capabilities to thrive in the job market. Founded in 1957, SideBySide is a NGO dedicated to social inclusion, provides various essential services for employment, community and cultural inclusion, mental wellness, housing, social rehabilitation, and public education.   The Impact Fund for Future primarily targets rehabilitated youth, aiming to build a continuous funding mechanism for upskilling and reskilling. Over the next three years, with the support from Hongkong Land HOME FUND, Impact Fund for future will provide successful applicants with loans of up to HK$50,000 to spend on educational courses that spur personal and professional growth. By helping disadvantaged young people stay competitive in tomorrow’s job market, the initiative encourages social mobility and paves the way for their future success. The Impact Fund for Future provides a timely solution for young people who need immediate assistance and ultimately bolsters the development of a healthy workforce in Hong Kong.    Over the past six decades, SideBySide has helped young people and their families reach their full potential through a variety of programmes, including life and career exploration, mentorship and placement opportunities, skills training, and access to vital resources. The partnership between Hongkong Land HOME FUND and SideBySide uplifts Hong Kong’s disadvantaged youth, including those leaving rehabilitation centres, those with physical disabilities, and those from ethnically diverse backgrounds.   “Hongkong Land HOME FUND’s joint effort with SideBySide improves the upskilling infrastructure available to disadvantaged youth, and creates more career pipelines for the young talent in our community,” said Natalie Wu, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Hongkong Land. “As we celebrate the achievements of Hongkong Land HOME FUND, we look forward to the future and seeing the results of our CSR initiatives.”   “Partnering with Hongkong Land HOME FUND allows us to extend our reach and amplify the support we can offer. Together, we can create pathways for success and foster a brighter future for all. At SideBySide, we are committed to fostering social inclusion, and supporting vulnerable members of our community. We believe everyone deserves to belong, and champion social inclusion. This collaboration not only boosts the availability of much-needed resources but also empowers young individuals from all walks of life to make meaningful contributions to society” said Anthea Lee, Chief Executive at SideBySide.   Hongkong Land HOME FUND invested more than HK$110 million into various community projects Hongkong Land’s partnership with SideBySide began in 2021 when the two organisations launched the Key to Success programme, which offered career training and counselling to over 1,000 young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Hongkong Land HOME FUND further supported the additional programme Key to Success 2.0 to connect ethnically diverse youth with various career opportunities through tailored career exploration schemes, as well as Chinese language learning.   The collaboration has already yielded tangible results in supporting young people to excel in their studies, plan careers effectively, and grow in all aspects of life. Some of the beneficiaries are now employed by major corporations, including Hongkong Land. Mellissa, a beneficiary from an ethnically diverse background and a graduate of the City University of Hong Kong, shares her experience: “Graduating with a Bachelor of Social and Behavioural Sciences (Criminology) was an achievement I had to fight for, especially as my family struggled financially.” She  adds: “The pre-employment workshops and job tasters provided by Key to Success were essential for my growth. My current internship with Hongkong Land's Corporate Social Responsibility department has expanded my perspectives. I am confident that this year-long internship programme will significantly contribute to my future professional advancement.”   Hongkong Land HOME FUND’s work with SideBySide exemplifies the company’s mission to drive positive change for those in need within Hong Kong society. During the last four years, Hongkong Land HOME FUND has invested more than HK$110 million into various community projects, significantly advancing the lives of over 500,000 beneficiaries. With 100+ NGO partners, the fund has successfully executed initiatives that address housing challenges and support youth development.   Related news: Recruit MagazineMingpao 

  本會總幹事李淑慧(Anthea) 早前接受《星島日報》訪問，分享善導會支援在囚人及更生士家庭的多元化服務，當中提及懲教署於去年底新設立的三間男性在囚人士親子中心，以及本會「藍巴士賽馬會結伴成長計劃」的服務理念和內容；亦簡介了本會兩個過渡性房屋及「賽馬會箕寓」 項目，以加強社區連繫，回應社會訴求。   Anthea在訪問中分享了自身的成長經歷，以及多年的社會服務經驗；讓我們繼續一起用心聆聽，與社會上有需要的一群同心同行，實現「自在共融」。 (圖片來源：星島日報)   歡迎點擊閱讀相關報導：每日雜誌•人物誌｜助囚友重投家庭 李淑慧讓善導成真(星島日報)