Jockey Club launches second phase of JC PROJECT LIFT to address needs of grassroots families

Today (10 June) The Hong Kong Jockey Club launched the second phase of JC PROJECT LIFT, a major initiative to address the needs of grassroots families. It is being funded with an approved donation of HK$720 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Following the launch of the first phase to address the needs of families in transitional housing, this second phase will expand the programme to include the first two light public housing projects.

The second phase was inaugurated at the “LIFT Together LIVE Better: The New Chapter Begins with You” ceremony. Officiating guests included HKSAR Government Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho, Club Steward Philip Lo, and JC PROJECT LIFT Advisory Committee Convenor Clement Cheung.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho (centre), Club Steward Philip Lo (left), and JC PROJECT LIFT Advisory Committee Convenor Clement Cheung (right) officiate at the “LIFT Together LIVE Better: The new chapter begins with you” ceremony.

Club Steward Philip Lo said, “Youth development and poverty alleviation is one of the key focus areas of the Club’s charities strategy. The Club remains committed to launching timely and diverse support projects through collaborative efforts and innovative thinking. We hope this project can serve as an effective poverty alleviation model for others, so helping to promote greater social mobility in housing environments across Hong Kong.” JC PROJECT LIFT, created and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with the support of the HKSAR Government’s Housing Bureau and Labour and Welfare Bureau, is a five-year project which aims to benefit over 14,000 families in 26 locations comprising 24 transitional housing projects and two light housing projects. It is being run in collaboration with 18 partners.

Club Steward Philip Lo delivers a speech at the “LIFT Together LIVE Better: The new chapter begins with you” event.

Referencing the successful Graduation Approach used in rural settings overseas, JC PROJECT LIFT aims to reduce poverty levels through the pioneering Urban Graduation Approach tailored to local challenges. The project comprises five targeted social interventions to strengthen family capacities. The Family Capacity Building Planner (FCBP) helps families identify strengths and set long-term goals. The Family Capacity Building Fund offers financial assistance through subsidies ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. An innovative savings scheme helps families enhance economic stability. The Jockey Club Level-Up Empowerment Employment Centre helps participants improve job skills and explore new career opportunities with the help of professional advisors. The community space, JC LIFT Hub, promotes community support and well-being, aiming to enhance families’ confidence and self-esteem by encouraging them to expand their social networks and engage with the wider community.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho and Club Steward Philip Lo tour the “LIFT Together LIVE Better: The new chapter begins with you” exhibition.

As the project enters its second phase, and to encourage participation, families with regular savings and stable employment will be eligible for an additional HK$5,000 subsidy under the Family Capacity Building Fund. Over 100 community-engaged participants will serve as LIFT Ambassadors, actively promoting community activities and encouraging more families to participate.

Group photo of guests at the “LIFT Together LIVE Better: The new chapter begins with you” event.

Since its launch, JC PROJECT LIFT has benefited around 7,700 households and trained nearly 60 family capacity building planners to help families develop their plans and goals. Community activities have encouraged residents to step out of their comfort zones and build connections. Nearly 90% of High Yield Savings Scheme (HYS) participants have developed a saving habit, steadily building their financial resources. Further details can be found on the JC PROJECT LIFT website: jcprojectlift.hk.

Beneficiaries of JC PROJECT LIFT join the sharing session.

The Club’s support for JC PROJECT LIFT, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Officiating guests take group photos with JC PROJECT LIFT’s LIFT Ambassadors and beneficiaries.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club-supported Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour, part of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign, held its Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition Launch Ceremony today (16 May) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza. The exhibition showcases horse sculptures created by renowned artist Simon Ma and the works are on a year-long tour of Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, symbolising unity between the Club and the community.

Horse sculptures created by renowned artist Simon Ma, are on show at the piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from today until 21 May.

Guests in attendance at the launch ceremony included Chris Sun, HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Winfried Engelbrecht‑Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and artist Simon Ma.

Chris Sun, HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare (3rd right); Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd left); renowned artist Simon Ma (2nd right); Eric Lee, Yau Tsim Mong District Officer (1st right); Wong Kwok Hing, Commissioner of Correctional Services (2nd left) at the Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition Launch Ceremony as part of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign.

The Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza runs from today until 21 May. The exhibition will then tour Tamar Park in Admiralty, as well as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and other locations. Through art and community engagement, it offers more citizens the opportunity to experience the unique charm of horse culture combined with contemporary art. The exhibition also features a nighttime horse-themed light show, highlighting the dynamic movement and power of galloping horses.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Today’s launch ceremony also saw the announcement of the winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition, launched by the Club in conjunction with Ma. A renowned interdisciplinary artist from Hong Kong, Ma is dedicated to promoting cultural and artistic exchange between East and West, with the horse serving as a significant creative symbol representing strength, unity and the spirit of heritage. As part of the Club’s 140th anniversary celebrations, thousands of young people - from kindergarten to university level – created artworks for the competition, drawing inspiration from the equine paintings of pioneering Chinese artist Xu Beihong. The competition comprised ten categories, with 30 winners or winning teams selected.

Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (7th right) presented awards to winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition.

Almost 100 (TBC) award-winning students from the “Horse With You” Art Competition - launched by the Club in conjunction with Simon Ma – together with mentees of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme and underprivileged students, joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Almost 100 (TBC) award-winning students from the “Horse With You” Art Competition - launched by the Club in conjunction with Simon Ma – together with mentees of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme and underprivileged students, joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

The Club’s Year of the Horse campaign is a year-long celebration of the close bond between horses and humans and the contribution racing makes to Hong Kong. It also promotes tourism as well as equine and sports development. Racing is not only the city’s favourite pastime, but also a symbol of its “can-do” spirit and stability under One Country, Two Systems. Through the success of Hong Kong horses on the international stage, the sport also brings pride to the community and global recognition to our city. None of this would be possible without the horse. For more information, please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.

Guests posed a group photo with winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition.