在《愛．回家之開心速遞》十分惡死的「大小姐」林淑敏，實際充滿愛心。她任播道兒童之家的「助跑之星」，為該組織的「第二人生助跑計劃」拍攝的籌款影片。
影片早前透過Facebook專頁及YouTube頻道首播，並由阮小儀任首映會嘉賓主持，並由助跑嘉賓關心妍獻唱，希望藉籌款影片讓更多人了解「第二人生助跑計劃」的意義。
林淑敏分享稱: 「我的生命也經歷過很大難關，難關之中，領會到除了自己的努力，身邊有愛你和關心你的人也非常重要。」
她鼓勵家舍青年努力堅持，不要放棄，夢想總會實現。林淑敏並指，家舍青少年在人生起跑線上，只是先天裝備可能不足，需要我們關心和幫助，使他們的才能得以發揮。各方支持，有助過渡難關。」
撰文 : 柴犬出動
相片：(播道兒童之家提供)
【開心速遞】「大小姐」林淑敏愛心爆棚 拍片為慈善團體籌款：夢想總會實現
“The trouble will not go away after dancing, the problem still exists, but I like the feeling when dancing.” The road ahead seems difficult to Mandy, but after being exposed to dancing, she knows there is still a way out.
High conflict disputes often occur in Mandy’s family, and she started to stay at ECH since she was in Form 2. “This is like my second home, providing a stable environment for living.” Mandy said. Later, she had a chance to attend church and start to learn breakdance as well. With encouragement from the instructor, she participated in a dancing competition. She struggled at the beginning because she had learnt the dancing in a short period and was lack of experience and confidence. But, she finally decided to take her first step of trying.
In 2018, she participated in the Hong Kong Trial Tournament and came to the fore, and won a seat to participate the “Youth Olympic Street Dance Asian Qualification Tournament” which was held in Taiwan. Through selection of the overseas candidates (5 male and 5 female candidates from each country to enter the screening competition and the top 16 to be selected), she was qualified for participating the “WDSF World Youth Breakdance Championship” Tournament held in Japan. Although she failed to advance further, given the opportunity going abroad with such valuable experience, her self-affirmation had been lasting.
When she attended this dancing competition in Taiwan, she was studying at Form 4 and had to prepare for DSE. She had to manage and allocate time for both her studies and dance practice, which made Mandy so exhausted. With God’s help and with prayers from brothers and sisters together, she was selected for the competition thankfully. When she went to Japan for competition in the next year, she had to take 8-10 days leave from school. The school did not disapprove her leave; however, no support was shown. Mandy had faced great pressure when she had to catch up with her studies after competition, she felt so exhausted physically and mentally. Though she failed to win at last, she was not disappointed because she had tried her best.
Mandy had been lack of motivation to accomplish anything and her academic results had been unsatisfactory, but after dancing, she had gradual improvement and learned self-discipline. How did she get through it? “It might be willpower!” Mandy said. In order to balance both homework and dance practice, she had to minimize her entertainment time. With brothers’ and sisters’ prayers, she gained strength and confidence overcoming the difficulties.
Mandy knows that dancing is just for hobbies and relaxing and she will not develop it into a career as dancing is very professional indeed. Her goal is set to become a social worker and she wants to help people with similar background. The first social worker who she met in primary school was her role model. She thought her love and concern has gone beyond the scope of a social worker. From that moment, she had been studying hard as she wanted to reach her goal as social worker. She was grateful that she could admit to study Social Work after DSE and move towards the goal.
Mandy now exudes a humble self-confidence. She was so grateful she could stay in the Evangel Children’s Home. Here she met Loretta, the counselor who taught her how to manage her emotions and how to find the direction of her life. The subsidy for tutorials really helped her a lot in studying and made her feeling a bit more secured when facing loads of studies. She was still in dilemma sometimes, she could still sustain with the warmth in her heart.
Mandy grew up under non-favorable environment; she could choose to be negatives, to give up, to complain, or to go wrong… pick up any other justified excuses for herself. However, she chose to stay positive and to move towards her goal silently.
Even though she has got experience and good results in dancing, she only gives herself 4.5 points (out of 10 points). She kept herself humble as she knew there are lots of people perform better than her. She admitted she did not gain enough confidence, but she does not feel inferior at all. She learnt how to be grateful and thankful to have supporters’ companion.
播道兒童之家一直為6-18歲孤兒、及來自破碎或有困難家庭的兒童和青少年提供院護服務。但到滿18歲成年的院童便需離開。當中有不少青年是無家可歸，甚或有家歸不得，面對高昂租金、被迫獨立生活，彷徨無助。
院長羅美珍早在十多年前已有感這些青年的困境，開始試辦青年過渡期住宿計劃，能在他們最需要別人幫忙之際，伸出援手，扶他們多一把，好讓他們能在成長路上跑得更穩妥。
她說在香港18歲便是法定成年人，但在她眼裏這些成年人仍是「小朋友」。這些因著複雜家庭背景的弱勢青年不僅要面對住屋問題，身處香港這個知識型的經濟社會，其低學歷、低收入、甚至失業失學的青年，實在是需要我們「大人」更多的關注。
「我聽過不少離開院舍的青年人慘況，其中有位女生因沒有家庭支援，只能租住大角咀的板間房，地方狹小骯髒不在話下，兼且品流複雜，實在不宜女生獨居。後來因我們有董事是工程師，發現兒童之家的地積比率尚未用盡，所以有在原址加建的想法，增加過渡宿位給有需要的家舍青年，一來紓緩租金壓力，幫助他們過渡獨立生活；二來因為他們沒有家人在情感上的支援，我們本着父母心，關顧他們的住宿問題外，同時滿足他們情感上的需要。」羅院長說。
所以，早在2009年時，兒童之家已開始2009年試辦青年過渡期住宿試驗計劃，2011至2018年持續發展青年家舍服務；直到2018年時更積極拓展「第二人生助跑計劃」。後者的計劃是想更全面照顧到這些住在家舍青年的其他成長需要。
她解釋：「經過約10年的青年家舍住宿服務，總括經驗下，這些青年能有一處安定的容身之所，的確能為他們減輕大部分的經濟壓力，讓他們的過渡期帶來安穩。跟著我們便要想如何再在他們的第二人生中，多點扶持他們。」
因此他們設計的第二人生助跑計劃，便是用來幫助入住期間的青年面對升學和就業的問題，和他們規劃職涯，接受獨立生活的訓練，裝備好自己來應付日後的社會生活。
「個人成長和獨立生活訓練是必要的，例如自助煮食、家務、理財儲蓄、個化的社交發展和人際溝通等，就是沒有父母可從小身教的示範，所以以上一切都需要由家舍導師負責。但始終導師的教導有限，當中亦需要一些外間的人際網絡作溝通支援，讓他們多接觸不同的人，建立屬於自己的朋友圈，建立自信。」她解釋說。
所以計劃中會有一具體項目——「生命師傅」能陪伴青年成長、生命同行，是家舍導師以外的同路人。「這幾年我們便和各大小教會招募有心人，大部分都是資深的基督徒夫婦，他們有教會的推薦，而又願意義務地為這些青年人服務，以他們多年的社會人生經驗，向青年人分享，加上是父母，在培育子女上都有一定的心得。他們會定期有一些家聚、外出聚餐或活動等，讓青年人能感受一下家的感覺，從中得到一些心靈慰藉。」
羅院長在此工作了20多年，身體力行，結婚後一家四口都住在兒童之家，培育過不少院童長大，感受至深。「很多人都說家庭悲劇是會一代代地延續，我也認同。所以既然我們能預見到，便要盡力把悲劇在這一代停止。這就是我常說的如果在這些青年踏進第二人生路上作他們的扶持者，大家都多走一里路，結果或許可以截然不同。」
最後，羅院長引述了一宗令她印象深刻且欣慰的個案，阿明因為家中虐兒個案而入住這裏，讀書雖不佳但很懂事，18 歲離院後嘗試回家居住，怎料住不了兩、三個月，母親將他的行李扔出家門，無助下只好向社工求助，入住了青年家舍1年左右便轉往青年社區共住單位(青年社區共住服務是播道兒童之家與愛心業主合作，用低廉的租金(約2千元)，租給有需要的青少年。)
阿明在我們幫助下解決了住屋需要，同時展開半工讀生涯，他一邊從事晚間鐵路維修工作，一邊進修，由毅進文憑讀起，希望用10年時間完成有關工程的學位課程。他離開院舍至今已有4年，半工讀的生活雖然辛苦，但總算成功開闢了前路。
記者：郭秀芳
相片: (院舍提供)
【正能量】播道兒童之家拓青年家舍服務 扶持困境青年度過逆境
https://topick.hket.com/article/2814257?r=cpsdlc
The seminar was successfully held on October 27, 2017. More than 150 people attended that day, and 70% of them came from the residential care field. Participants concerned about both the needs and the anxiety faced by the youth aging out from the residential homes.
The results of the homeless youth research report were announced at the meeting, covering 10 areas, including: 1) Career Development, 2) Facing the Future, 3) Personal Grow-up Experience, 4) Barriers in Life, 5) Personal Needs, 6) Influences of Family, 7 ) Influence of School, 8) Peer Group Relationship, 9) The Role of Children’s or Youth Home, 10) Social Service & Support, and analyzed the respondents’ expectations for future development. Guest speakers from different sectors shared the social collaboration, government resources allocation, and how to break through the resources deficiency, and how to work with homeless youth as life mentors, and analyzed and understood the needs of these youth from a dimension of different perspectives. (Download the Summary of the Research Report) (Download the Full Text of the Research Report)
These youth experienced adverse impacts on personal growth and family difficulties, causing physical and mental barriers. Lacking of financial and spiritual support from families, they bear more burdens than others, and the anxiety and fear brought about made us more concerned about them.
The “2nd Chance in Life – Transitional Youth Sponsorship Program” developed by Evangel Children’s Home included the “Youth Home Outreach Program”, “Life Planning, Career Development and Internship Program”, “Workplace Mentor”, and “Mentorship and Life Coaching” program, “Continuous Education Scholarships” and “Professional Training Fund”. These are to support the youth in difficulties to further their studies, transit for independent living with transitional residence and employment, and enhance the upward moving, giving themselves a second chance in life.
We are convinced that these young people are youthful, energetic and precious in the eyes of God. Hoping that church leaders and youth pastors would share also the vision and mission, walk with them, and help them become pillars of our society in the future.
專訪播道兒童之家青年導師余燕芬導師及青年家舍舊宿生Vincy
主持: 陳美思
家舍青年導師余燕芬(Stephanie)與青年同行十年，陪伴不少青年過渡艱難時刻。他們大多成長於缺失家庭：單親、父母患病、離逝或離異、或父母各自已經組織家庭、因吸毒、入獄不能照顧；或家暴、性侵個案等。由於青年人在不完整及被忽略照顧的環境下成長，形成不安全感，為了保護自己，啟動防衛機制，不易與人建立互信關係，影響人際社交。在導師Stephanie照顧下跨出成長創傷的舊宿生Vincy，分享有幸在青年家舍生活，讓她感到被愛、有家的感覺，有力重新出發。
Stephanie接觸的青年人都是有目標理想，只因成長環境影響個人發展。她分享播道兒童之家「第二人生助跑計劃」，為家舍青年提供過渡性居所、職場輔導、理財、獨立生活訓練，幫助青年了解自己、建立自信，扶助他們從混亂迷茫裡，規劃前路。
舊宿生Vincy，從小已受家暴問題，因身體已嚴重受傷不能再與母親同住，大約20歲那年決心離開。經教會轉介入住臨時庇護宿舍，由於是短期住宿，故此每星期也被催促何時會搬離開。那時感到很迷失，剛巧失業，要面對住屋、工作、經濟的問題，壓力非常大；而每當經過屋企附近，恐懼感便湧出來，未能找到合適的對象分擔，感到很孤單。幸好經轉介入住播道兒童之家，在此有導師的關愛、有較長期穩定居所、及各項培訓工作坊，幫助穩定心情及生活，有能力在職場起步。
現在Vincy已經有自己的家庭，也當了媽媽，將從前學懂的生活自理，回饋照顧家人；也因著得到導師的輔導，與家人關係漸修和好。她感謝播道兒童之家在她困難階段所提供的服務。
節目重溫：
24/11/2020 播道兒童之家「第二人生助跑計劃」
https://bit.ly/373gX52
Samuel Fung, alumni of the Evangelical Children’s Home, a strong and muscular firefighter reflected from his figure, is humble and gentle in his heart. He emphasized that he do not like to observe the rules, but his goal was to join the disciplined force. And he loves to abide in Christ His law. Being a firefighter is the childhood goal, and the more important goal is to imitate the Lord Jesus throughout his life.
Samuel lost his father since childhood, and it was very difficult for her mother to take care of her seven children alone. In order for his mother to take care of him and grow up under the guidance of God, when he was three years old, he was arranged to stay in the Evangelical Children’s Home.
“I still clearly remember the first day, who greeted me at the door and picked me up…” said Samuel emotionally! The painful feeling of being separated from his family still filled his heart. But he was grateful to have lived here, learned to persevere, and obey God’s teachings. He was brought up by Miss Ruth Sundquist (Sun Ah Yi), the founder, and her love was deeply heartfelt. This children home brought him beautiful memories and developed him.
Since Samuel was a child, he had the ambition to become a firefighter. It was because he was deeply moved by witnessing the heroic behavior of firefighters. He also believed that firefighters were very powerful and could not only put out fires and save people, but also tidy up the collapsed mess and serve the community. Significantly, firefighters give people a rational and strong image, and they must make judgments quickly and accurately on the fire scene. Samuel describes himself as a sensitive and gentle person who is easily touched. Some rescue missions require his gentleness to understand the other party’s needs at the moment, let the other party change their minds, and save their lives. He understands that not every task can be fulfilled. He has to admit weakness, accept limitations, and pray for mercy. It is enough to be “a little light around”. He thanked God for his gifts and would use it to serve him.
Samuel shared that firefighters are under heavy work pressure, and errors in decision will affect a life. Once he faced with a woman who tried to jump off the building, the situation was very critical. He could not wait for the expert to arrive. He immediately persuaded her and finally lobbied her to return to a safe position successfully. He knew that he had crossed the line, but in the face of life and death, he only prayed for wisdom to deal with it. Because of the high pressure at work, he emphasizes that he must manage his body, mind, and soul to “touch” more lives. Therefore, he attaches great importance to physical exercise and maintaining a healthy mood.
The three Ts taught by the pastor: Time, Touch, Tears, became a reminder of his work. Understand that everything is not in our own hands, but in God’s time. Learn to wait patiently (Time); understand the needs of others and touch their hearts (Touch); carry others’ tears and be a companion (Tears).
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.” Psalm 1:1. Samuel faithfully obeyed God throughout his life. As an “elder brother”, he returned to the home to encourage the children to find their goals and be successful one day. By following His words, they would be able to overcome the pain of the past.
Every part of Samuel’s sharing is full of blessings and grace. God is the first in everything, and the Lord is the greatest. He emphasizes that he does not love to obey rules, but only loves to obey the rules of God. He pinpointed that Samuel, his English name, means God hears prayer. Samuel revealed much his humility, willingness to lay down his self, put the sovereignty under the control of God, obey God’s teaching, and he blooms an abundant life.
Social worker: “Boy, you may try to join the uniform team…? “
Mom: “Miss Chan, something you don’t know…. I have tried before; everyone receives the notice of application, except my boy. They told me he’s not suitable… “
Social worker: “How’s your boy doing in school recently? “
Mom: “Miss Chan, something you don’t know… he kicked his teacher… kept watched by TA (teacher’s assistant)… not attending class at all…”
Social worker: “There will be some summer classes coming. Does your boy take any interest class before? “
Mom: “Miss Chan, something you don’t know… I did apply the class for him at another center before, however he’s rejected at once… they said it’s lack of manpower to have one-on-one service… the activity is only designed for general kids…anyway, not suitable at all…”
Being rejected again and again, those parents whose children being ADHD and moderate autism and also studying in traditional primary school are truly helpless. “Something you don’t know…” – this indicates how isolating and helpless of their situation and how they are misunderstood enduringly.
However, parents find it difficult to find a way out. Community Centers in general fail to provide appropriate services; those grassroots families cannot afford the expensive private tutor fees, while, the units that provide children’s rehabilitation services mainly serve pre-school or special schools children. These parents, whose children are within this gap, often feel frustrated.
Social worker : “How’s your boy after joining our service for 3 months？＂
Mom: Miss Chan, I’m so grateful my boy can join the service here. He can finish the homework before he gets back home. I need not to struggle with him about doing homework… he likes coming here… he even tells me about the pals he meets here…”
Social worker: “After evaluate the adaptability and our situation… (tears came up in mom’s eyes) we are confident that we can take good care of your boy. He can stay here after this trial period.”
Mom: “Thank you so much!!!”
There has always been a demand for services for the children of working families. It is especially difficult for SEN children to find suitable service due to their special learning needs. However, this plague of the century (COVID-19) seemed to stop all activities. When the Education Bureau suspended classes in a short time, no support for child care services is provided to working families in need. It’s even worse that general care services and tutorial classes were suspended, too. In order to earn living, how can those parents just stay at home for taking care of their children without going to work? Taking into account the needs of grassroots working families, the “S.E.N. School Age Support Program” of Evangel Children’s Home insists in providing whole-day service to working families, from Monday to Saturday, so that parents can go to work with ease.
At the same time, we also provide half-day care services for children from non-working families on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so that children can keep learning under school suspension. The tutors follow up the children’s online learning, so the children can catch up when classes resume later. Also, the children can learn life skills as well. We cherish every moment of their growth.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
(Matthew 19:14)
播道兒童之家一直為 6-18歲孤兒、來自破碎或困難家庭的兒童及青少年提供院護服務。2009年試辦青年過渡期住宿試驗計劃，但滿了18歲成年的院童便需要離開。當中有不少青年是無家可歸，甚或有家歸不得，面對高昂的租金、被迫獨立生活，徬徨無助。
院長羅美珍早在十多年前已有感這些青年的困境，開始試辦青年過渡期住宿計劃，好讓他們能在成長路上跑得更穩妥。
羅美珍院長說在香港18歲便是法定成年人，但在她眼裏這些成年人仍是「小朋友」。這些因着複雜家庭背照的弱勢青年不僅要面對仕屋問題，身處香港這個知識型的經濟社會，低學歷、低收入、甚至失業失學的青年，實在是需要我們「大人」更多的關注。
「我聽過不少離開院舍的青年人慘況，其中有位女生因沒有家庭支援，只能租住大角咀的板間房，地方狹小骯髒不在話下，兼且品流複雜，實在不宜女生獨居。後來因我們有董事是工程師，發現播道兒童之家的地積比率尚未用盡，所以有在原址加建的想法，增加過渡宿位給有需要的家舍青年，一來舒緩租金壓力，幫助他們過渡獨立生活；二來因為他們沒有家人在情感上的支援，我們本着父母心，關顧他們的住宿問題外，同時滿足他們情感上的需要。」羅院長說。
所以早在2009年，播道兒童之家已開始試辦青年過渡期住宿試驗計劃，到2011-2018年持續發展青年家舍服務，直到2018年更積極拓展「第二人生助跑計劃」。後者是想更全面照顧到這些住在家舍青年的其他成長需要。
她解釋：「經過約10年的青年家舍住宿服務，總括經驗，這些青年能有一處安定的容身之所，的確能為他們減輕大部分的經濟壓力，讓他們的過渡期帶來安穩。跟着我們便要想如何再在他們的第二人生中，多點扶持他們。」
因此他們設計「第二入生助跑計劃」，幫助入住的青年面對升學和就業的問題，和他們規劃職涯，接受獨立生活的訓練，裝備好自己來應付日後的社會生活。
「個人成長和獨立生活訓練是必要的，例如自助煮食、家務、理財儲蓄、個人化的社交發展和人際溝通等，就是沒有父母可從小身教的示範，所以以上一切都需要由家舍導師負責。但始終導師的教導有限，當中亦需要一些外間的人際網絡作溝通支援，讓他們多接觸不同的人，建立屬於自己的朋友圈，建立自信。」羅院長解釋。
所以計劃中會有一具體項目—「生命師傅」，即能陪伴青年成長、生命同行，是家舍導師以外的同路人。「這幾年我們和各大小教會招募有心人，大部分都是資深的基督徒夫婦，他們有教會的推薦，而又願意義務為這些青年人服務，以他們多年的社會人生經驗，向青年人分享，加上是父母，在培育子女上都有一定的心得，他們會定期有一些家聚、外出聚餐或活動等，讓青年人能感受一下家的感覺，從中得到一些心靈慰藉。」
羅院長在此工作了20多年，身體力行，結婚後一家四口都住在播道兒童之家，陪伴過不少院童長大，感受至深。「很多人都說家庭悲劇是會一代代地延續，我也認同。所以既然我們能預見到，便要盡力把悲劇在這一代停止。這就是我常說的：如果在這些青年踏進第二人生路上作他們的扶持者，大家都多走一里路，結果或許可以截然不同。」
最後，羅院長引述了一宗令她印象深刻且欣慰的個案。阿明因為家中虐兒個案而入住播道兒童之家，讀書雖不佳但很懂事，18歲離院後嘗試回家居住，怎料住不了兩、三個月，母親將他的行李扔出家門，無助下只好向社工求助。入住了青年家舍一年左右便轉往青年社區共住單位。(青年社區共住服務是播道兒童之家與愛心業主合作，用低廉的租金約二千元，租給有需要的青少年。)
「阿明在我們幫助下解決了住屋需要，同時展開半工讀生涯，一邊從事晚間鐵路維修工作，一邊進修，由毅進文憑讀起，希望用十年時間完成有關工程的學位課程。他離開院舍至今已有四年，半工讀的生活雖然辛苦，但總算成功開闢了前路。」
轉載自香港經濟日報–C3親子廊
撰文記者：郭秀芳
相片: 黃建輝攝或院舍提供
