To realise the full potential of women and to assist those who are less fortunate, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited established a new social enterprise, Grace On Hands. The project combines training, job placement and retail service. Low-income individuals are trained to become craftswomen before they are assigned jobs and placed in retail service for extra income. To celebrate the launch of Grace On Hands, made possible by J.P. Morgan, the Welfare Council held an opening ceremony on July 13, where guests and service users witnessed the birth of the social enterprise and propagated its social significance.
The Welfare Council was honoured by the presence of its officiating guests, Under Secretary for Home Affairs Ms Florence Hui, SBS, JP, and J.P. Morgan Chief Administrative Officer, Asia Pacific and Senior Country Officer, Andrew Butcher, at the opening ceremony, which was held at the H.K.S.K.H. Kowloon City Children and Youth Integrated Service Centre.
Grace On Hands is a new initiative by the Welfare Council that aims to help women from low-income backgrounds develop an interest in handmade goods and build careers out of it, thus achieving independence. Close to 40 women have started producing crafts for Grace On Hands since it started operating in January. In her welcome remarks, Welfare Council Director Dr Jane Lee thanked the various sectors which supported Grace On Hands every step of the way, especially J.P. Morgan, whose cooperation with the Welfare Council demonstrates the powerful relationship between the commercial and social service sectors.
Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui voiced her approval for Grace On Hands, pointing out that echoes the government’s labour policies by providing grassroots women with employment opportunities, and to develop skills, thereby supporting the development of society. Hui offered her well-wishes for the social enterprise.
J.P. Morgan’s Andrew Butcher said, “Grace On Hands offers those less fortunate the chance to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge, leading them out of their familial roles onto new career paths. Under the guidance of the Welfare Council, we believe this project will become a platform for the growth of creativity and financial sustainability. We trust that the project will encourage all sectors to work together to solve social issues, and to push for more collaborations between the commercial and social service sectors to benefit local social enterprises and entrepreneurs.”
Accompanied by Dr Lee, the officiating guests launched Grace On Hands with a simple but significant unveiling ceremony. Welfare Council's Social Innovation Project Manager, Lillie Ching, then showed participants Grace On Hands’ online store.
Four Grace On Hands apprentices were later invited onstage to share their experiences with other participants. All four come from low-income backgrounds and are from mainland China. They were housewives living on their husband’s meagre earnings, and had a difficult time adjusting to their new lives in Hong Kong. After joining Grace On Hands half a year ago, they have been empowered to supplement their families’ finances and expand their social networks, thus leading more fulfilling lives. One apprentice, Ah Ying, said she felt her world grow much bigger, way beyond the four walls of her flat, after she joined the programme and made new friends.
Following the ceremony, apprentices wowed guests with their crafts during the exhibition. Find out more about Grace On Hands at http://goh.skhwc.org.hk and be wowed, too! From now until August 31, you can get a 15% discount on your purchase from the online store. Dial 2533 1245 for more details or visit http://goh.skhwc.org.hk for more details.
