Published on 24 August 2024
In 2021 and 2022, the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team collaborated with the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) to launch two service programmes supporting students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and their parents, namely “友伴同行學習支援計劃” and “童伴．媽Me爸Free．看世界”. Building on the success of these initiatives, the Club has sponsored the YWCA's brand-new ACE • 2 Connect Programme, which aims to provide social adaptation training and career guidance for youths with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the community during 2023-2024. Through one-on-one companionship with CARE volunteers, the programme seeks to discover and unleash the potential of youths with ASD in social and career aspects.
The transition to adulthood can be particularly challenging for youths with ASD. They often struggle with daily living skills, self-image, interpersonal relationships and social communication. These difficulties can make it hard for them to meet workplace demands and interact with colleagues, undermining their confidence and career prospects. Despite their strong desire to join the workforce, many youths with ASD feel uncertain about their future paths.
To address these needs, 20 CARE volunteers participated in the year-long ACE • 2 Connect Programme. After receiving training in life coaching, the CARE volunteers were paired one-on-one with youths with ASD. From July 2023 to June 2024, they engaged the participants in a variety of activities, including a day camp, community exploration and work experience days. These hands-on experiences allowed the youths to practise adapting their behaviours to different social contexts and discover their unique interests and strengths related to career development.
The programme culminated in a closing ceremony on 24 August 2024, where the youths expressed gratitude for the companionship and support provided by the CARE volunteers. In turn, the volunteers shared the touching moments they witnessed as the participants grew in confidence and social competence. Compared to their initial hesitance, the youths demonstrated newfound ease and comfort in their social interactions by the end of the programme.
The transition to adulthood can be particularly challenging for youths with ASD. They often struggle with daily living skills, self-image, interpersonal relationships and social communication. These difficulties can make it hard for them to meet workplace demands and interact with colleagues, undermining their confidence and career prospects. Despite their strong desire to join the workforce, many youths with ASD feel uncertain about their future paths.
To address these needs, 20 CARE volunteers participated in the year-long ACE • 2 Connect Programme. After receiving training in life coaching, the CARE volunteers were paired one-on-one with youths with ASD. From July 2023 to June 2024, they engaged the participants in a variety of activities, including a day camp, community exploration and work experience days. These hands-on experiences allowed the youths to practise adapting their behaviours to different social contexts and discover their unique interests and strengths related to career development.
The programme culminated in a closing ceremony on 24 August 2024, where the youths expressed gratitude for the companionship and support provided by the CARE volunteers. In turn, the volunteers shared the touching moments they witnessed as the participants grew in confidence and social competence. Compared to their initial hesitance, the youths demonstrated newfound ease and comfort in their social interactions by the end of the programme.
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