Ms. Yung is a solitary elder living in a subdivided unit in the Kwai Chung district. Her livelihood mainly depends on the elderly living allowance and occasional part-time jobs. She doesn't have a close relationship with her family, and they rarely maintain contact with her. About a year ago, while inquiring about the progress of her public housing application, she came into contact with the services of the "Jockey Club Sunshine Neighbourhood Centre".
Initially, Ms. Yung felt shy about interacting with social workers, worried that her plea for help would cause trouble for others. She also saw herself as "old, uneducated, and useless".
However, with the encouragement of social workers, Ms. Yung joined the "Sunshine Housing Ambassador Group" ("Group"). Throughout her participation in each group activity, she gradually understood the supportive services available to different subdivided unit residents, housing policies, and issues related to grassroots communities. This further enhanced her understanding of community resources and taught her how to uphold her rights. Participation in the group also allowed her to meet other subdivided unit residents in the community.
Now, Ms. Yung can confidently discuss various issues with other residents. For instance, she once expressed her views on the “Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021” (also known as “tenancy control”) and other policies. She has also become a community guide, sharing her experiences of living in a subdivided unit and actively representing other subdivided unit residents. She actively participated with other subdivided unit residents, advocating for improvements, addressing the challenges and needs faced by subdivided unit residents and providing constructive recommendations to various government departments and legislators.
After Ms. Yung joined the group, her community network gradually expanded, and she no longer felt isolated. She mentioned that these activities allowed her to learn various forms of knowledge, boosted her confidence, and gave her a great sense of accomplishment. Today's Ms. Yung has become a volunteer. Despite being retired, she is still actively involved in community services.
