As the economy, society and the perspectives of the new generation on family life evolve, grassroots families - particularly new parents, divorced families and those raising children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) - are encountering a range of new challenges. In response, BGCA remains dedicated to supporting children, youth and their families by offering timely and appropriate early interventions. Our goal is to help families navigate adversity, safeguard children’s well-being and enhance overall family functioning.

Promoting Early Childhood Development: Supporting Disadvantaged Families

Welcoming a new family member brings both excitement and challenges, particularly for new parents who may feel overwhelmed by their lack of parenting experience and the shifting dynamics within the family. For grassroots families raising children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), these challenges are even more pronounced. In addition to navigating their child’s development, they face significant financial strains due to extra medical and educational expenses, compounded by constant concerns about their child’s growth and well-being.

To address the developmental needs of children, our "Amazing Start" project offers referral-based and evidence-backed support services for new parents and their infants or toddlers in disadvantaged circumstances. Through a cross-disciplinary team, we deliver early intervention that equips parents with the tools to engage in age-appropriate play and foster strong parent-child bonds. These services are accessible at both family and community service centres. Additionally, our "Family Life Education" project focuses on empowering parents with essential knowledge, attitudes and practical skills related to family life. This initiative helps parents better understand their children's developmental needs and equips them with effective parenting techniques.

"Home-School-Community" Collaboration: Comprehensive Support for Diverse Family Needs

Parental involvement is essential to a child’s development, yet many grassroots parents are forced to sacrifice time with their children to make ends meet, caught in the difficult balance between work and family responsibilities. To address this challenge, our Children & Youth Integrated Service Centres and Children’s Centres have built community support networks and organised a range of family and community activities. These initiatives create opportunities for meaningful family interactions, fostering stronger parent-child communication and enabling parents to fully embrace their roles as nurturers, educators and companions. Additionally, we have expanded after-school care services across multiple district centres, allowing parents to work with peace of mind while improving their quality of life.

For families with children who have Special Educational Needs (SEN), we promote "Home-School-Community" collaboration to promote pre-school rehabilitation services. This includes onsite services, centre-based training and community resources for pre-school children with special needs. We offer educational, counselling and support services to parents, empowering them with improved caregiving skills and a positive parenting mindset. In collaboration with schools, we design tailored training programmes to help staff identify and support students with special needs more effectively. Through these comprehensive services, we aim to meet the diverse needs of families, working closely with families and schools. By encouraging parents to love and nurture their children unconditionally, we help foster a supportive, appreciative and caring environment where children can thrive.

Cultivating Family Resilience: Beginning with Parental Self-care

Urban pressures like crowded streets, heavy traffic, high living costs and frequent interpersonal conflicts contribute to rising levels of anxiety and depression among families today. For some couples, these stressors lead to the difficult decision to end their marriage. Our "Parent Wellness" project creates a supportive environment where parents can focus on self-care, allowing them to recharge and regain the emotional strength required to face the challenges of life and parenting. In addition, our "Parent Child LINK" project helps divorced couples embrace co-parenting, grounded in "child-centred" principles. This approach ensures that, despite the separation, children continue to receive the care and support of both parents, enabling them to grow up in a health and nurturing environment.

Identify High-Risk Families: Ensuring a Safe Developmental Environment for Children

The number of child abuse cases in Hong Kong has remained high in recent years, with cases continuing to rise. Our top priority is to identify high-risk families early, so we can provide timely support, foster positive family relationships, and actively promote child protection. We stand firmly by a "zero tolerance" approach and advocate for stronger child protection legislation, aiming to reinforce family functioning and enhance overall family well-being. By working collaboratively with all stakeholders from a child-centred perspective, we strive to create a nurturing family and community environment where children and youth can thrive.

Engaging Society: Building a "Child and Youth Friendly Hong Kong" Together

Children are the driving force behind future social progress. Our vision is to unite the collective strength of society to support families through the various stages of their children’s development, strengthening family bonds and cultivating positive dynamics. By partnering with children and their families, and nurturing each young life with care and love, we aim to witness their growth and transformation. Together, we can co-create a bright and thriving "Child and Youth Friendly Hong Kong".