KUCHING, Aug 25: The Community Social Support Centre (CSSC), the first of its kind in Sarawak and Malaysia, will be officially operational in November this year at Wisma Ho Ho Lim in Jalan Abell here to assist those affected by social issues.
According to the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), Minister for Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK), Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, stated that the pilot operation of the centre will begin on Sept 28.
“CSSC Kuching is a public-private-civil society collaboration to provide an integrated reference, support, and social intervention centre in the community for groups at risk and affected by social issues or problems in Kuching involving various public agencies of the federal government and Sarawak government; private agencies; non-governmental organisations (NGOs); related volunteers and philanthropists,” she explained.
She said this during a press conference after the CSSC advisory board meeting, which was held as a hybrid at the Baitulmakmur II Building here on Wednesday (Aug 24).
Fatimah clarified that CSSC is managed by the Social Development Council (MPS) at KPWK, and that the Sarawak Psychology Counselling Centre, which is also located at CSSC Kuching, will assist the central administration.
“An NGO anchor will assist the central operation in collaboration with various NGOs and volunteers involved in social support and intervention in Kuching.
“Various public agencies and professional volunteers who provide help and support services and related social protection will also be involved in interventions and referrals,” she noted.
She went on to say that CSSC Kuching will offer showcase services for assistance and social and welfare services provided by the government and NGOs, one-stop-integrated social support and intervention referral services, a temporary transit place for the protection of family crisis victims and a training centre for women and children affected by social issues and problems.
Furthermore, the centre offers a ‘Soup Kitchen’ service for homeless and needy groups, a community food bank for VRA groups in need, “cafe belia” or youth cafe, youth and child-friendly activities, including the Teen Cafe by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), mental health services, psychology and community counselling, and social enterprise space.
Fatimah added that similar centres will be established in Kuching, Sri Aman, Sibu, Mukah, Kapit, Bintulu, Miri, and Lawas.
She also thanked Dato Bobby Ting and Datin Shentel, as well as Elica Sdn Bhd, for their contributions to the establishment of CSSC Kuching.
“Our deepest gratitude goes to Elica Company for being so generous in carrying out the building renovation for free as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) contribution.
“Thank you also to the building owners who have agreed to let us use their buildings for free for the next five years,” she added. — DayakDaily
