Chairman’s Message 

 

As we reflect on the past year and look forward to the future, I am filled with immense pride and optimism for the strides we have made and the exciting initiatives on the horizon. With a focus on fostering strong family and community ties, our projects span across different generations, addressing their unique needs. Our commitment to fostering strong family bonds and empowering individuals across generations remains unwavering, and I am delighted to share some of our key highlights and upcoming projects for 2023-2024.

 

Youth Projects

One of the standout events planned for this year is the press conference organized by The Boys’ & Girls’ Club Association of Hong Kong (BGCA) on May 14, 2024. It is a culmination of a comprehensive survey conducted from November 2023 to February 2024, which explored “Parent-Child Communication, Parent-Child Relationship, and Family Harmony.” The survey, which included 504 respondents aged 8 to 18 years and their caregivers, revealed insightful findings about the dynamics of parent-child communication. Notably, it highlighted that as children grow older, caregivers tend to use love languages less frequently. This finding underscores the importance of verbal encouragement, which adolescents greatly appreciate.

 

The press conference garnered significant media attention, with coverage from Oriental Daily News and Ta Kung Wen Wei Media. One of the most touching testimonies came from a mother who participated in the BGCA program. She shared how counseling helped her regulate her emotions and improve communication with her child, reducing misunderstandings. Her experience with guided imagery and music during counseling sessions was particularly impactful, and she wholeheartedly recommended the “Family Channel” parent-teen communication plan to others.

 

In another pioneering effort, we have embarked on our first attempt to use Social Return on Investment (Social ROI) to assess the social impact of our new youth programs. Collaborating with Professor Albert Teo from Tung Wah College and his team, we aim to understand the tangible and intangible benefits of our initiatives. The first annual report of the Social ROI results will be presented in November 2024, and we are eager to see the insights it will bring. These findings will guide our future efforts to offer targeted programs that address these gaps.

 

 

Intergenerational Projects

Our intergenerational initiatives continue to thrive, and one of the most notable events was the Achievement Symposium of the “Gearing Up for Third Age & Multi-generational Capacity Building” program held on May 3, 2024. This symposium served as a platform for sharing successful practices and valuable experiences in promoting elderly volunteering. It brought together senior center members, social welfare organizations, and academic institutions to advocate for the empowerment of the elderly.

Professor Bai Xue, the program director, shared the remarkable development model and achievements of the program. The elderly participants have transitioned from being recipients to contributors, forming teams to provide volunteer services to over 600 elderly individuals and families in need within the community. The evaluation demonstrated the program’s significant impact on enhancing the skills, well-being, and intergenerational understanding of elderly volunteers. The program has received widespread acclaim from community partner organizations and service recipients alike.

 

The symposium was broadcasted on Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) which featured esteemed guest speakers such as Dr. Lam Ching-choi, BBS, JP, chairman of the Elderly Commission, and Prof. Daniel Shek, former chairman of the Family Council. Their insights and support further validated the impact and importance of our work.

 

 

Looking Forward

As we move forward, our focus remains on creating meaningful and lasting impacts through our various projects. We are committed to continuously innovating and improving our initiatives to better serve our community. The achievements of the past year inspire us to aim higher and work harder to foster harmony, understanding, and empowerment across all generations.

 

We invite you to continue supporting us on this journey, as together, we strive to create meaningful change for individuals and families across generations.

 

Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our mission. Together, we will continue to build a brighter and more harmonious future for all.

 

For and on behalf of the Lee Kum Kee Family Foundation,

Jason Lee, Chairman