Shanghai Daily News

Crowded youth service centers are symptomatic of the problems challenging a growing number of communities. The Changning-based Shanghai Sunshine Community-Youth Affairs Center is at the forefront in constructing sound solutions that address the underlying causes for juvenile "wrong behavior."

To reach out to the community, the district invited 500 "high-risk" youth to participate in a monthlong sports meeting that started last Saturday. The young people participated in basketball, badminton, computer games and poker.

"Although sports are not viewed as a panacea for society's ill juveniles, sports participation that emphasizes skill-building and socially-acceptable responses to personal relations has proven to be a popular aid in the education of youth," said center Director Tian Wanming.

The community youth care center was established in 2004 as a pioneering program for the youth outreaching social work team in the city. It seeks to reach out and provide counseling and guidance to those young people aged between 16 to 25 who normally do not participate in conventional social or youth activities and are vulnerable to undesirable influences.

During the last two years, the center's 18 social workers have served a total of 5,000 target youths in terms of communication, job guidance and education and psychological consulting.

The center's social workers have arranged job interviews for more than 4,750 target youth, among which 671 have successfully found jobs.

Each social worker is in charge of more than 200 target youth. Despite the relatively low monthly salary of 1,500 yuan (US$192), Jiang Linfeng, a university graduate last year, is enthusiastic for the job and serves 284 youth annually. Many of his colleagues share Jiang's commitment.

"It is not easy to communicate when you first get acquainted, especially with those who are especially sensitive and vulnerable," he said. "Through my working experience, participation in sport contributes a lot when I want to get closer to them."

Among the target youth in the district, more than 70 percent of them live in intense poverty, while a quarter of their parents are divorced, according to Tian. In addition, 17 juvenile delinquents are under the umbrella of the center.

A 24-year-old man who gave his name as Xiao Dai, has used the center's consultant services for five years. He recently finished his financial management major in college and is currently seeking a job.

"My father died and my mum has retired. I quit school in early times and never imagined I could finished these hard courses," he said.

In recent years, the growing concern about community care for the high-risk youth has elevated the recognition of social workers. However, public misunderstanding, a lack of quality workers and limited investment has made it an often difficult career choice.

Tian said the total funding offered by the district government, in addition to the salaries, is 20,000 yuan per year. The amount was not even enough to cover the Internet connection fee.

Further difficulties lie in the construction of new facilities and in retaining experienced social workers.

"These people understand the task of community service, about making strategic decisions and where and how to apply limited resources," Tian said.

"However, we are seriously short of these kinds of workers," he added.

The Shanghai Sunshine Community-Youth Affairs Center Changning Branch is calling for more funding so that their efforts to help society will truly be fulfilled.