On October 19, 2024, we launched our club’s signature project, “Neighbourhood with You, Listen Goal!” (「鄰舍。家。您」Listen Goal!).
We were honored to have DG Nigel Lo, DGN Dr. Jimmy Lau, and Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council (NAAC) Executive Director Ms. Elina Fung as our guests at the opening ceremony. This project aims to support the mental health of underprivileged families, including 80 parent-child pairs (a total of 160 individuals) living in Tung Chung, by providing training and diverse support. In collaboration with NAAC, the project will run from October 2024 to March 2025. It also includes mental health first aid training for 20 Rotarians, Rotaractors, and their families and friends, who will serve as ambassadors. The training workshops are scheduled for 19th and 26th October 2024. These ambassadors will provide mentoring support to the service recipients.
During the ceremony, DG Nigel delivered an inspiring speech encouraging clubs and Rotarians to support and promote mental health prevention and treatment awareness. P Peter Long presented the project initiative, highlighting its potential to significantly promote mental health awareness, youth development, and community collaboration, achieving a win-win situation for both the service recipients and ambassadors. We anticipate that this will not be just a one-off signature project but a sustainable initiative with the potential to be further optimized to provide a more positive and meaningful impact on the community. Ms. Elina Fung expressed her appreciation for the initiative, and Ms. Chau of NAAC detailed the project components, including the Mental Well-being First Aid Orientation, “Me Time” Healing Activities for parents, “Hold Your Hands” Parent-child Activities, and a large-scale Fun Day event. Additionally, NAAC invited two parents to share their experiences and expressed their belief that the project would equip them with the knowledge to address mental health issues, relieve stress, and improve bonding with their children.
To ensure the successful implementation of this mental health service project, we will mobilize 60 volunteers, including Rotarians, their family members, Rotaractors, Interactors, students from our partner schools, and prospective members.
Benefits to Service Targets and Ambassadors
The project offers significant benefits to both service targets and ambassadors. Families will gain essential mental health support, stress relief, and stronger bonds through tailored activities. Ambassadors will receive valuable training, enhancing their ability to support others and fostering personal growth.
Community Impact
The project aims to create a healthier, more resilient community by addressing mental health issues at the family level and reducing stigma. The collaborative approach with NAAC promotes community cooperation and the development of future mental health initiatives. This sustainable project is expected to have a lasting positive impact on the community.
