CSSC Kuching celebrates successful first year of operations

KUCHING: The Community Social Support Centre (CSSC) here has garnered attention from various dignitaries and organisations due to its unique approach to community welfare.

Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said during today’s (Jan 17) advisory board meeting that the CSSC would assess its inaugural year’s operations.

The evaluation will focus on strengths, weaknesses, and the impact of activities, programmes, and social interventions conducted through CSSC Kuching.

One significant achievement highlighted by Fatimah is the distribution of 37,513 daily meal packs, including breakfast and lunch, to an average of 200 urban poor and homeless individuals.

“The meals are provided by The Soup Kitchen, managed by the Urban Poor Association (SKUP) and funded through contributions in the form of money and raw materials from corporate and non-governmental organisations.”

Speaking at a press conference after the Central Community Support Centre Advisory Board meeting at CSSC, Fatimah, who also chairs the CSSC Kuching Advisory Board, said that CSSC Kuching has become a recognised platform for volunteer activities.

It allows relevant agencies and NGOs to actively collaborate and contribute to the social transformation of vulnerable and needy groups.

“CSSC can indirectly become a centre for social services. For instance, the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), Mental Health Association Sarawak (MHAS), and the Health Office of Kuching and Samarahan Division have organised weekly programmes for consultation, screening, individual and group counselling.”

To further enhance social activities and interventions, she revealed that CSSC would organise more corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes involving corporate and non-governmental organisations.

Looking ahead, she noted that the success of the first CSSC in Kuching could serve as a benchmark for implementing social services in upcoming CSSCs in several districts.

“To expand this social service network, we will establish CSSCs in other areas such as Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, and Lawas so that more people can receive the needed assistance.

“The establishment of these centres is still in process and is expected to receive significant support from NGOs, especially as it has been implemented at CSSC here,” Fatimah explained.