| Ethnic minorities support service centre in Yuen Long commences operation |
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The second of the four support service centres for ethnic minorities, operated under the funding grant of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (CMAB), commences operation today (June 28). The centre, located in Yuen Long, is operated by the Yuen Long Town Hall Management Committee. It provides support services to ethnic minorities with a view to facilitating their integration into the community. It will offer English and Cantonese language programmes, computer classes, tutorials, orientation programmes, interest classes and counseling. It will also provide other services to facilitate the access to public services by ethnic minorities, including sight translation, family support services, socialisation programme and community tours. The centre is located at Shop No. 52, Manhattan Plaza, 23 Sai Ching Street, Yuen Long. It operates six days a week except for public holidays. The operating hours are from 9am to 9pm, Tuesdays to Sundays. The first support services centre, operated by the International Social Service – Hong Kong Branch, commenced operation last month. The remaining two centres, which will be operated by the Hong Kong Christian Service and Christian Action, are expected to commence their services in the coming months. The four support service centres are provided with a total of up to $8 million as one-off start-up costs and a total of up to $16 million annually as the operating expenses for two years. Ends/Sunday, June 28, 2009 |