04 August 2009
New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association Receives HKD121,380 Grant from The UPS Foundation
Hong Kong, Aug 04, 2009 – New Life Farm – the subsidiary of New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (New Life) serving both as a sheltered workshop and social enterprise - received a HKD121,380 grant from The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS (NYSE:UPS). The funds will be used to support activities related to environmental sustainability and volunteerism.
One of such activities, the “Organic Banana Tree Planting Volunteer Program” aims to maximize the usage of land & productivity of New Life Farm by planting banana trees, which in turn would help maintain environmental sustainability. By marketing the organic bananas through New Life’s Healthy Living Specialty Shops, it also helps promote healthy living and eating habits among the Hong Kong community. More than 100 training and job opportunities will be created for people with psychiatric disability through this project, which will aid the process of their integration into the society and independent living.
Mr. Derek Woodward, President, Asia Pacific Region of UPS, graced the event and presented Prof. Fanny Cheung, Chairperson of New Life with the cheque.
“With shared philosophy and commitments to build a greener and better society which supports the protection and preservation of the environment as well as the empowerment and inclusion of the disadvantaged, New Life and UPS have already had a collaboration history of eight years across different kinds of projects,” said Prof. Fanny Cheung, Chairperson of New Life. “We are excited to see that we are venturing into a new project this year with UPS’ generous grant, which signifies the sustainable quality of the collaboration between the two organizations.”
“We believe that with the launch of this program, not only will the messages of environmental protection, healthy eating and social inclusion of people with psychiatric disability be promoted, but the volunteers from UPS will also experience self-enhancement through a closer encounter with the environment and by working with people from diverse background,” she further added.
New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association is a non-profit making welfare organization established in 1965 aiming at providing comprehensive community rehabilitation services to facilitate self-reliance and social integration of people with psychiatric disability. The Association operates 30 service units serving more than 6,000 service users every day, catering their residential, vocational and social needs. Starting from 1994, the Association has been playing a pioneer role in developing diversified social enterprises to provide work and training opportunities for people with psychiatric disability. Up till now, 19 social enterprises have been developed including vegetable stall, fruit stall, convenience stores, restaurants, healthy living specialty / organic shops, souvenir shop, eco-tourism, cleansing service, property management service and coffee shop.
The UPS Foundation, established in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., identifies specific areas where its backing clearly impacts social issues. In support of this strategic approach, The UPS Foundation has identified the following focus areas for giving: non-profit effectiveness, economic & global literacy, encouraging diversity, community safety and environmental sustainability.
In 2008, The UPS Foundation distributed $46.9 million worldwide through grants that benefit organizations or programs such as the “Organic Banana Tree Planting Volunteer Program” and provide support for building stronger communities.
“The UPS Foundation is committed to funding impactful programs that make a meaningful difference in our communities – so we are proud to support New Life’s efforts to promote healthier eating habits and the social inclusion of people with psychiatric disability,” said Ken Sternad, president of The UPS Foundation.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Ms. Loretta Poon, Corporate Affairs Manager, or
Mr. Keith Lau, Corporate Affairs Executive Officer
New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association
Tel: (852) 2332 4343 Fax: (852) 2770 9345
Email：loretta@nlpra.org.hk or keithlau@nlpra.org.hk
Web site：http://www.nlpra.org.hk
UPS Hong Kong
Ms. Dawn Lai,
Email：dlai@ups.com
Tel：(852) 2737 4053
Ms. Ria Choi
Email：cria@ups.com
Tel：(852) 2738 5685
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