Jockey Club supports two youth development initiatives announced in Policy Address
16/10/2024
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China and the 140th anniversary of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Club is proud to partner with the HKSAR Government and NGOs to develop tailored initiatives for youth, echoing the latest youth development initiatives announced by HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee in his annual Policy Address today (16 October).
Youth Development and Poverty Alleviation is one of the priority areas of the Club’s charities strategy. The Club is committed to initiating and supporting projects that enable young people to achieve their full potential as active members of society.
The Club’s Charities Trust is pleased to announce an approved donation of HK$300 million to support two strategic collaborations with the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB). One initiative establishes a Special Funding Scheme for Youth Life Planning Activities to mainstream evidence-based interventions and tools developed by CLAP@JC. The other initiative supports renovations at Youth Square in Chai Wan, aiming to shape it into a new landmark destination for young people. The key components of the donation are:
Partial renovation of Youth Square Youth Square, which opened in 2008, is a key Government initiative for promoting youth development. Collaborating with the youth, the Trust will support HYAB in renovating the Y Platform and fourth floor of Youth Square. In addition, it will allocate three years of funding for diverse and youth-centric activities, with the goal of creating a new landmark destination for young people. With an approved donation of HK$150 million from the Trust, this project is expected to benefit over 200,000 young people.
The Club has come a long way since its founding as a racing and members club. Over the past 140 years, its partnership with the community has thrived thanks to a unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong. The Club – under the banner “With You. Then. Now. Always.” – has organised a series of celebratory initiatives to mark this milestone and recognise Hong Kong people’s contribution to its purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society.
In celebration of the Club’s 140th anniversary, the Club’s Charities Trust has earmarked HK$1.4 billion to support a series of youth development initiatives. In addition to the two mentioned above, three other initiatives are as follows, with specific details to be announced in due course:
Enhance youth upward mobility A Trust-initiated Project aimed at creating breakthroughs in upward mobility for youth by bringing targeted and systematic interventions for widespread impact during critical junctures in young people’s developmental journeys.
Positive Trajectory Fund for Bereaved Children and Youth This pilot project offers up to five years of personalised bereavement bridging support service and financial assistance to empower children and youth who have lost parents or legal guardians, bridging developmental gaps and unlocking their potential.
Reimagine Campsites This initiative will support the upgrading of campsites in Hong Kong to enhance public, and particularly youth, participation in and appreciation of camping activities, and to provide unique recreational and educational experiences for them to improve their physical and mental well-being.