To-gather Parents Resource Centre

Introduction

HKCS's first To-gather Parents Resource Centre (PRC), subsidised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD), has been launched since March 2019. Now we operate 2 PRCs for the provision of transdisciplinary and diversified supportive services for people with special needs and their respective parents or caretakers in Kwun Tong and Shamshuipo district respectively. PRC (Kwun Tong) includes a specialised ethnic minority (EM) unit, providing tailored services for the needy EM families in Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin and Shatin districts.

With the emphasis of family-centred, strength-based and positive meaning-making approaches, our centre provides a platform for parents or caretakers of people with special needs to gather, share and exchange their unique experiences. This aims to break through their limitations, build positive self-image and promote acceptance towards people with special needs to foster their integration into the society.

Purposes

• Enhance the wellness of parents / caretakers and their ability to manage emotional stress
• Enhance the caretaking capacity of parents/ caretakers for their family members with special needs 
• Facilitate positive interaction among family members
• Facilitate the parents/ caretakers to identify their strength and regain self-mastery in daily life
• Develop community support network for mutual-aid
• Enhance public awareness and acceptance towards people with special needs

Target Service Users

People with special needs and their respective parents, family members or caretakers

Application Procedures

Applications can obtain the membership application form from our website or our centre in person. Please complete and return the form with a crossed cheque (payable to “Hong Kong Christian Service") to our centre.

Withdrawal Procedures

• Members who want to withdraw from the service must notify the centre in writing.
• Upon receiving the withdrawal notice, our centre will immediately terminate the membership status, while the membership fee is non-refundable.
• Members who do not renew their membership on or before expiration will be considered leaving the service voluntarily. 

Service Contents

Holistic care and Timely support to Family

• Consultation and provision of information
• Referral to suitable community resources
• Personal or family counselling
• Professional therapeutic groups
• Body-Mind-Spirit holistic well-being support

Identify Strength and Enjoying Quality Time with Family

• Social and recreational groups
• Educational and developmental activities
• Quality family activities
• Resources lending service (Toys/ Books/ Audio)

Mobilise Community to build a Mutual Aid and Inclusive society

• Companion scheme and mutual aid network
• Volunteers and mentorship scheme
• Community education (Talk/ Exhibition/ Seminar)

Value-Added service

• Chih Ai Parents’ Association
• Professional consultation team
• Occasional child care service on long school holidays 

Fees

• People with special needs, their respective parents, family members or caretakers are welcome to join our memebership.
• Membership dues are paid on a per family basis. All family members could enjoy the facilities in the centre after registration.
• Membership fee is $21 per year. Membership will be valid until 31 March of each year.

Service Hours

Our centre operates 6 days a week, providing night and weekend sessions to cater the needs of different families and working caretakers. Our centre’s opening hour is as follows:

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Opening Hours	9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.	12:00 noon  - 8:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.	12:00 noon  - 8:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

 

• Closed on Sundays and public holidays
• Remain open when typhoon signal number 3 or rainstorm red warning is hoisted; closed when typhoon signal number 8 or above is hoisted or rainstorm black warning is issued before the commencement of normal opening hours
• Provide occasional child care service on long school holidays