Jockey Club Launches Hong Kong’s First Large-Scale Initiative to Support Children and Youths in Residential Child Care Services

Around 4,300 children and youths in Hong Kong are unable to live with their families due to challenging life circumstances. To support them in building positive life trajectories and brighter futures, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, through its Charities Trust, has created and funded JC Project Bonfire with a commitment of over HK$820 million. As Hong Kong’s first and largest initiative of its kind, the project supports young people receiving Residential Child Care Services through personalised support, community networks and cross-sector collaboration.

Group photo, Photo source: HKJC

Today (25 September) marked the official launch of the project and the opening of the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. The launch ceremony was officiated by Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Nikki Ng, Convenor, JC Project Bonfire; and Lorain Lam, Chairperson, Executive Committee, The Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong Social Service.

Group photo, Photo source: HKJC

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Bernard Chan said the Club believes that children and young people, regardless of their backgrounds, should enjoy equal opportunities for development, enabling them to realise their talents and contribute to society. For this reason, “fairer opportunities” is one of the Club’s key impact areas. Through cross-sector collaboration, the Club has launched a diverse range of initiatives and expanded support networks to help people from different communities realise their potential and enhance their quality of life. JC Project Bonfire is one such initiative.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (2nd left); Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); Nikki Ng, Convenor, JC Project Bonfire (1st left); and Lorain Lam, Chairperson, Executive Committee, The Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong Social Service (1st right), officiate at the launch ceremony of JC Project Bonfire and the opening of the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC

At the heart of JC Project Bonfire is the Positive Trajectory Framework, an evidence-based model that supports children and young people in five key developmental areas: health, trusted relationships, sense of purpose, social capital, and future navigation competencies. To date, 65 dedicated Trajectory Development Coordinators have each completed 150 hours of professional training, supporting 2,300 children and young people by co-creating personalised development plans, connecting them to diverse opportunities and building community support networks that foster positive life trajectories. The project has also established collaborations with more than 250 community partners.

Club Steward Bernard Chan delivers a speech at the launch ceremony of JC Project Bonfire and the opening of the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong Photo source: HKJC

The project provides tailored support across both small group homes and foster care services. For children and youths in small group homes, the project focuses on strengthening their long term development and expanding access to opportunities and support networks. For those in foster care, support extends to both foster and biological families through programmes that promote family engagement, facilitate family reunification where appropriate, and equip young people with skills and support as they prepare for independent living.

Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st right); Nikki Ng, Convenor, JC Project Bonfire (1st left) and two foster parents. Photo source: HKJC

A key feature of the project is the JC Bonfire Hub, which serves as a collaborative platform where children and youths, families, caregivers, professionals and community partners can connect, learn and grow together. The hub opened today in San Po Kong is the second community hub under the project, building on the success of the first in Tuen Mun. Addressing the challenges and needs faced by foster parents, it provides professional training, respite and peer support, while fostering a supportive community network and a nurturing environment for a sense of belonging. In this caring and stable environment, children and young people can grow with confidence, security and hope for the future.

Guests tour the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC

The Club’s support for JC Project Bonfire, like all its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model, through which the Club generates sustainable economic and social value for the community through tax contributions, charitable donations and employment opportunities.

The JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC

The JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC

The Hong Kong Jockey Club was honoured to be the Official Community Partner of the Hong Kong Open, which concluded on Oct 25 at the Hong Kong Golf Club’s (HKGC) Fanling Golf Course. The four-day tournament attracted tens of thousands of spectators from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and overseas. This was the first time the Club has supported this M-Mark event as its Official Community Partner.

Club Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Raymond Tam presented The Hong Kong Jockey Club Cup to the tournament’s Low Hong Kong Amateur Player, Markus Lam, and joined HKSAR Government Financial Secretary Paul Chan; HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law and other guests to witness the presentation ceremony.

Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government (4th left); Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government (4th right); Raymond Tam, Club Executive Director of Corporate Affairs (2nd right); Bryant Lu, Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club (3rd left) and other guests with the tournament winner, John Carlin (centre) at the presentation ceremony.

As Official Community Partner, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has donated HK$32 million through its Charities Trust to The Hong Kong Golf Club Charitable Foundation Limited to launch the Jockey Club Community Golf Programme. The two-year programme aims to bring golf into the community, nurture young local talent and extend the tournament’s positive impact beyond the course. More than 25,000 schoolchildren, teenagers and members of underprivileged communities are expected to benefit each year.

As part of the programme, the Club has worked closely with HKGC, to launch a series of community engagement initiatives, including school-based activities, experiential golf-learning opportunities, inter-secondary school competitions, golf clinics for young people of different abilities, and complimentary tickets for people from underprivileged communities. Ahead of the tournament, elite international golfers visited a primary school to inspire students’ interest in the sport, while HKGC professional coaches conducted golf clinics to promote inclusion and participation in golf.

During the tournament, the Jockey Club Fan Village provided a vibrant experience for visitors of all ages. The Club’s booth in the village added further colour to the event, with a putting challenge providing opportunities to experience the fun of golf firsthand. Members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team also participated, creating balloon figures and bringing joy to spectators.

Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government (3rd right); Polly Chong, Commissioner for Sports of the HKSAR Government (2nd right), Raymond Tam, Club Executive Director of Corporate Affairs (2nd left); Andy Kwok, former Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club (1st left) and other guests posed for a photo in front of JC booth.

In addition, visiting golfers were invited to experience Hong Kong’s signature attractions, including the Happy Wednesday races at Happy Valley Racecourse. These experiences helped promote horse racing tourism and showcase Hong Kong’s unique appeal to a global audience.

The Club’s support for the tournament and the programme reflects its long-standing commitment to advancing sports development in Hong Kong. It also aligns with the objectives of the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the HKSAR by promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports, strengthening Hong Kong’s status as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing professionalism and developing sports as an industry.

Sport is one of the key impact programmes of the Club’s Charities Trust. Over the years, the Club has helped advance sports at all levels, strengthening sports sector capabilities to facilitate greater access, deeper engagement and longer lasting impact. In 2025/26, the Club’s Charities Trust supported eight “M” Mark events as Official Community Partner through dedicated community engagement programmes, reaching over 91,000 beneficiaries.

Elite international golfers visited a primary school to interact with students and inspire interest in golf through the Jockey Club Community Golf Programme.

The Club’s support for sports events and programmes, like all of its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model, through which the Club generates sustainable economic and social value for the community through tax contributions, charitable donations and employment opportunities.