Latest news with #communitysupport
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong restaurant run by disabled looking for new partner to keep mission going
Hong Kong's social enterprises empowering vulnerable communities are struggling to survive amid a dire economy. In the first of a two-part series, the Post looks at how a Singapore-based catering business is trying to chart a new path forward for its disabled workers. Dignity Kitchen, a beacon of hope for disabled people seeking training and employment in Hong Kong, is at a crossroads. The Singapore-based social enterprise restaurant is urgently looking for a local partner because its founder, Koh Seng Choon, can no longer fly often to the city to manage the business after undergoing heart surgery in March. Over the past six years, the 66-year-old travelled from the city state to Hong Kong every two months to set up and run the hawker-style restaurant in Mong Kok that has so far trained and placed more than 200 disabled people in jobs. 'The only thing I regret now is I don't have the health to carry on,' he told the Post earlier this week, three months after his surgery. 'I'm not selling the business. The idea is to find a partner with a good heart, commitment, and experience working with disabled people, letting Hongkongers help Hongkongers.'
CBS News
16 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Shaler woman builds free community pet pantry in honor of her beloved dog
By: KDKA-TV producer Ashley Funyak A woman in Shaler is looking to lend a helping hand to neighbors and pet owners in need. Emily Boehler says she got the idea for the Shaler Little Free Pet Pantry and Stella's Snack Shack after her rescue dog, Stella, died in 2023. "Hi, I'm Stella," a post on the pantry's Facebook page reads. "I was rescued in 2013 and called Shaler my home for almost 11 years. My two favorite things were food and my jammies. My family built this pantry in loving memory of me, in hopes of keeping bellies full and hearts warm throughout the community." (Photo: Stella's Snack Shack/Facebbook) The pantry was installed at the intersection of Mount Ivy Lane and Hahn Road in early June, with help from Boehler's dad and their neighbor. Boehler says the pantry operates under "take what you need, leave what you can" guidelines. She asks that donated items remain in good condition, and that all food is unopened and not expired. The pantry has its own Facebook page where people can see what offerings are available, as well as check out their Amazon wish list. Boehler says she takes donations of larger items that do not fit inside the pantry, which can be distributed as needed. She says she has contacts with rescue organizations and is happy to pass along items if they are not in demand by the community. This isn't the first time that Boehler has gone out of her way to make a difference. Boehler and her mother started the Petals for Pups flower cart in 2022. Their cart on Wible Run Road sells flowers from their gardens, with proceeds going to local animal rescue organizations.
CBC
17 hours ago
- CBC
Winnipeg housing co-op residents scared, angry after 5-year-old attacked by dogs
Fear and anger are growing in a northwest Winnipeg housing complex, after a mother says her young daughter was attacked by two dogs that she says have a history of aggressive behaviour. "We now have a little girl who comes home, comes straight in the house, and won't play outside unless we nudge her," Judy Cymbalisty said. "She's scared, and now when she hears a dog she runs in crying and screaming. "She thinks every dog is out to get her." Cymbalisty lives in the Seven Oaks Garden Housing Co-operative in West Kildonan with her husband and her two kids. She says on June 6, her five-year-old daughter, Brooklynn, was walking to see a friend in the complex when she was attacked from behind by two American bulldogs in an outside common area. The dogs attacked the girl after forcing their way out of their owner's home through a storm door, according to Cymbalisty. She was at work when her husband called her about the attack, and said she frantically drove home, not knowing the extent of her daughter's injuries. "These are American bulldogs — they have big jaws," she said. "I had the very worst scenario in mind. "I was a basket case when I was driving home." Community rallies around 5-year-old girl attacked by dogs 30 minutes ago Duration 2:21 Members of a Winnipeg housing co-op are rallying around a five-year-old girl after she was attacked by two large dogs as she was walking in a common area just steps from her home. Although not as bad as Cymbalisty thinks they could have been, Brooklynn had serious injuries, including four punctures to the back of her head, a puncture though her ear, and multiple scrapes and scratches on her upper and lower body. The girl was taken to hospital for treatment after the attack and later released. Along with the physical trauma, Cymbalisty said her daughter has also been forced to deal with the mental trauma caused by the attack. "Physically she's healing, but mentally we have a lot of work ahead of us," said Cymbalisty, who confirmed that they have been taking Brooklynn to see a therapist since the attack. 'Extremely worried' residents: board member Cymbalisty lodged a complaint with the city's animal services but has been frustrated by what she sees as a lack of urgency to deal with a problem she says has everyone in the complex on edge. A petition has also been started by tenants of the complex asking that the dogs be removed. "We have other members of the co-op who are concerned and have asked questions about, 'is it safe?'" she said. Sylvia Burdey, who also lives in the complex, says the dogs have been reported to animal services before. She said in 2021, they attacked her while trying to get at her cat, which she was holding. A complaint was filed after the attack, she said. In a statement sent to CBC, a City of Winnipeg spokesperson would only say an investigation is ongoing, and the city can't share any other details at this time. Shawn Orne, the site management co-ordinator of the complex and a member of its board of directors, said there's palpable concern among residents about the dogs, and whether someone else will be attacked. "We have young families and a lot of senior citizens on site," Orne said. "It's just got a lot of people extremely worried." He added that so far he has seen a "lack of reaction" from both the owner and animal services. "When there is an incident that involves a child, you expect animal services to be here quickly and be attentive — and address it fairly, but resolve it." He added the board has had a meeting where it voted in favour of removing the dogs from the home, and has hired legal counsel as it tries to get the dogs out of the home and the neighbourhood. "We want to ensure that everyone is represented fairly," Orne said about the decision to hire a lawyer.
BBC News
17 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Autism centre in Northern Ireland gets glow up after Facebook SOS
"I need your help!"When Gerard Donaghy, from Millisle, County Down, shared those words on his Facebook page, he had no idea how people would had a vision of bringing together painters and decorators from across Northern Ireland to give a building that serves the community a much-needed glow Saturday, a resource centre for families living with autism will be given a free makeover - thanks to more than 50 volunteers."You don't have to look far to find bad news these days - it can weigh you down - but something like this reminds you that there's still plenty of good out there," the father of two told BBC News NI. As well as looking for volunteers, Gerard, who runs Paintworks NI with his wife Danielle, asked for nominations for a building needing a successful nominee was Helping Hands Autism Resource Centre in Dundonald, on the outskirts of Belfast."As a dad of a daughter with additional needs, this one's personal," Gerard said."I walked into their space and saw what they were trying to do and I just knew we could help make it better."A coat of paint might not seem like much to some, but when it's done with care and pride, it changes how a place feels - and that's what these families deserve." 'Act of kindness' Caroline Birch, chairperson of Helping Hands, said the organisation is "incredibly grateful for this act of kindness"."It means the world to our family members and the local community as well," she said."We are absolutely delighted that Gerard and all the other guys have generously volunteered their time, equipment and expertise to support our charity by redecorating our premises." "The makeover will create a brighter, more welcoming space for the children and families that Helping Hands supports every day," she added. Rising costs and funding difficulties can be stressful for Caroline says the transformation has lifted the atmosphere and will allow them to "truly reflect the care and inclusion we strive to provide". "The Paint It Forward initiative stands as an excellent example of local businesses giving back and making a meaningful difference - we cannot thank them all enough," she said."Here's to a colourful brighter future for our charity." Paint It Forward was something Gerard said he had been thinking about for years."What if we could get a crowd of decorators together, just for one day, to completely transform a place that really needs it? No hoops to jump through, no funding, just people showing up and using their skills to do good."Last year, he met the chairman of the Painting Contractors Association in the US, Nick Slavic, who told him: "It starts with one.""That conversation was the fuel that lit the fire," he said."From the minute we mentioned it, people jumped on it. 'We all have skills' "I had painters messaging saying 'Count me in', without even knowing the full details."Suppliers stepped up with no hesitation... They just said yes - along with loads of local businesses who are chipping in too."At the heart of it, it's just people wanting to be part of something positive.""I'd love to see this spark something across the board," Gerard said."Whether you're a roofer, a joiner, a landscaper, a plumber, we all have skills."If every trade gave one day a year to a cause in their community, imagine what we could do?"
Sky News
18 hours ago
- Sky News
Mylo Capilla: Body found in search for 13-year-old boy believed to have entered the River Tees
A body has been discovered in the search for a missing 13-year-old boy thought to have entered the River Tees. A major operation was under way on Friday to find Mylo Capilla, as police appealed for information. The 13-year-old boy was last seen at around 9pm on Thursday in an area known as the "Muddies" in the Teeside town of Ingleby Barwick, near the River Tees. Cleveland Police said on Friday evening that a boy's body had been found. "Very sadly, police and partner agencies searching the river for 13-year-old Mylo Capilla at Ingleby Barwick have found the body of a boy," officers said. "Whilst formal identification has yet to take place, Mylo's parents have been informed and they continue to be supported by specially trained officers. "All our thoughts are with Mylo's family and friends as well as with the wider community at this extremely difficult time." Earlier, police said they thought Mylo had gone with his friend to the river near Ramsey Gardens and entered the water. An extensive search was carried out, involving specialist teams using a police drone and dogs. Officers also had support from Cleveland Fire Brigade, National Police Air Service, as well as marine and mountain rescue teams. The Muddies was described by one local as a large area stretching along the riverbank and was a known place for children and young people to play.
