HUB13, the Caritas Community Living Space at To Kwa Wan, officially opened on 2 May 2025 to serve residents of inadequate housing in To Kwa Wan. This is Hong Kong’s first community hub focusing on multicultural inclusion, community health, as well as self- and mutual-help. HUB13 is a collaboration between the Youth and Community Service of Caritas – Hong Kong (“Caritas”) and the JC School of Public Health and Primary Care (“JCSPHPC”) under the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (“CUHK”). It was co-funded by Kerry Group and ZeShan Foundation, with venue design and facilities sponsored by Hongkong Land.
The opening ceremony was hosted by Rev. Joseph Yim (Chief Executive, Caritas) and Prof. Eliza Wong (Acting Director, CUHK JCSPHPC), representing the co-organizers. The officiating guests were Dr. Lam Ching-choi (Executive Council Member) and Mr. Edward To (Director of Social Welfare). Other distinguished guests included: Ms. Linda Lam (Chairperson, Equal Opportunities Commission), Dr. Tik Chi-yuen (Legislative Council Member – Social Welfare Functional Constituency), Prof. Ling Kar-kan (Interim Vice President, Campus Development and Facilities Management, Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Mr. Peter Lee (Senior Manager, Community Investment and Employee Engagement, Kerry Holdings Limited), Ms. Irene So (Executive Director, ZeShan Foundation), and Mr. Raymond Wong (Executive Director and Chief Development Officer, Hongkong Land).
HUB13 emphasizes respect for cultural differences and is committed to building an inclusive social service platform that fosters community inclusion. It aims to empower people of different cultures and backgrounds in Hong Kong – including those who are not ethnically Chinese – to live, learn, grow, share together, supporting both themselves and each other, so as to strengthen community cohesion.
The design of HUB13 was inspired by concepts of inclusion and ideas from different cultures. The space features a child-friendly area, a healthy vitality zone, a multicultural kitchen, and an inclusive living room. Caritas and CUHK provide a variety of services, including culturally-sensitive health checks and community programs. Residents can participate in different activities, gatherings, and exchanges, while receiving professional support and counselling services.
Caritas and CUHK have demonstrated an innovative approach in this multicultural community, adopting a model of medical-social collaboration that integrates social services with medical expertise, so as to provide targeted health management and support services. This not only enhances community members’ health awareness, but also provides comprehensive health assessments and follow-up social support, contributing to their holistic well-being.
Furthermore, Caritas and CUHK have launched Hong Kong’s first Multicultural Community Health Training Program. The course aims to make professional medical knowledge more accessible, and equip participants from diverse cultural backgrounds with health management skills. Participants not only learn how to manage their own health, but also receive a certificate in community health skills upon completion, with opportunities to intern or work in community services under Caritas.
- Dr. Lam Ching-choi
(Executive Council Member) - Mr. Peter Lee
(Senior Manager, Community Investment and Employee Engagement at Kerry Holdings Limited) - Ms. Irene So Mui-ling
(Executive Director, ZeShan Foundation) - Mr. Raymond Wong
(Executive Director and Chief Development Officer, Hongkong Land)
- Ms. Vivian Lam Yee-mui
(District Social Welfare Officer, Kowloon City and Yau Tsim Mong) - Prof. Ling Kar-kan
(Interim Vice President, Campus Development and Facilities Management, Hong Kong Polytechnic University) - Dr. Tik Chi-yuen
(Legislative Council Member) - Ms. Linda Lam Mei-sau
(Chairperson, Equal Opportunities Commission) - Mr. Peter Lee
(Senior Manager, Community Investment and Employee Engagement, Kerry Holdings Limited) - Prof. Eliza Wong
(Acting Director, JCSPHPC, Faculty of Medicine, CUHK) - Dr. Lam Ching-choi
(Executive Council Member) - Mr. Edward To Wing-hang
(Director of Social Welfare) - Rev. Joseph Yim
(Chief Executive, Caritas) - Ms. Irene So Mui-ling
(Executive Director, ZeShan Foundation) - Mr. Raymond Wong
(Executive Director and Chief Development Officer, Hongkong Land) - Mr. Ivanhoe Chang Chi-ho
(District Officer, Kowloon City) - Dr. Rizwan Ullah
(Kowloon City District Council Member) - Mr. Ilyas Mohammad Alex
(Representative of Kowloon Mosque)