To promote the holistic development of adolescents in Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has launched a four-year project entitled “P.A.T.H.S. to Adulthood: A Jockey Club Youth Enhancement Scheme.” This project is for junior secondary school students, starting in the 2005/2006 school year. The project is a collaboration with the research team, Social Welfare Department, and Education Bureau (formerly the Education and Manpower Bureau), with an earmarked grant of HK$400 million.

“P.A.T.H.S. to Adulthood: A Jockey Club Youth Enhancement Scheme” Launching Ceremony and Briefing Session

The project is aimed at promoting the holistic development of adolescents by developing their abilities in all aspects of life, recognizing their abilities, building bonds with others, helping them develop positive beliefs in life, and setting clear goals.

Introduction of “P.A.T.H.S. to Adulthood: A Jockey Club Youth Enhancement Scheme”

With the support and recognition from different sectors and with effectiveness of Project P.A.T.H.S. proven by different modes of evaluation, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust decided to fund the project for another three years starting from 2009/10 school year, with HK$350 million. This will help the participating schools strengthen their implementation. It is also hoped that the participating schools can integrate the program into their formal curriculum for junior secondary levels, further facilitating the holistic development of young people.

Chinese Slogan of P.A.T.H.S. to Adulthood: A Jockey Club Youth Enhancement Scheme:

共 同协作树理想

创 造机会助飞翔

成 长全面能互谅

长 进自爱展心窗

路 遥奋进要自强

Objectives of P.A.T.H.S. to Adulthood: A Jockey Club Youth Enhancement Scheme

In order to enhance the holistic development of young people, the design of Project P.A.T.H.S. is anchored around 15 positive youth development constructs:

• Promotion of Bonding
• Cultivation of Resilience
• Promotion of Social Competence
• Promotion of Emotional Competence
• Promotion of Cognitive Competence
• Promotion of Behavioral Competence
• Promotion of Moral Competence
• Cultivation of Self-Determination
• Promotion of Spirituality
• Development of Self-Efficacy
• Development of Clear and Positive Identity
• Promotion of Beliefs in the Future
• Providing Recognition for Positive Behavior
• Providing Opportunities for Prosocial Involvement
• Fostering Prosocial Norms

After participating in this project, we hope that students will:

• Strengthen connections with adult role models and positive peers (Connection)
• Enhance their social, emotion-regulation, cognitive, behavioural, and moral competencies (Competence)
• Enhance self-determination, self-efficacy, resilience, and a positive belief in the future (Confidence)
• Develop a clear identity and enhance their moral character (Character)
• Learn to care for others (Caring)
• Be more compassionate toward others (Compassion)
• Contribute to society (Contribution)