The President of the Government opened today the Community Centre of the Child Support Institute (IAC-Açores). This investment of 2.4 million Euros represents a significant improvement of various responses aimed at three hundred children and young people on the island of São Miguel.
 
"This a moment when about 300 children and young people and their families will benefit from better services.  But, above all, this is a moment of hope and confidence," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
At the opening of this new building, located in Ponta Delgada and also the headquarters of IAC-Azores, the President of the Government considered that this ceremony is a sign of hope, representing "a very strong commitment to those that, besides their importance in the present, are the future of the Azores as a People and as a Region."
 
"Moreover, it is also a sign of confidence to work on a daily basis to face the challenges in the area of childhood and youth as well as to be able to create responses that can help us overcoming these challenges," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
In this regard, the President of the Government highlighted the work carried out by the 10 Youth Development Centres and Inclusion in the Azores. These institutions demonstrate the strategic commitment that has been implemented in terms of youth support and encouragement.
 
"In this regard, we must have a perspective of permanent nonconformity," said Vasco Cordeiro. On the occasion, he announced that the Government will conduct the evaluation process of these Youth Development and Youth Inclusion Centres in order to perceive what "needs to be done to boost their effectiveness and efficiency."
 
"The Regional Government intends to launch this process so that we can increasingly have the conditions towards a more effective and productive action for the benefit of those to whom it is directed," stressed the President of the Government.
 
In his speech, Vasco Cordeiro highlighted, on the other hand, the partnership between public and private entities working in the area of social support throughout the Region.
 
"All this work carried out on a daily basis, often outside the media, is only possible because there is a very strong partnership between public and private entities to achieve these goals," stressed the President of the Government.
 
"This partnership throughout our Region makes possible that about 300 services on all islands can serve more than 10,000 children and young people," Vasco Cordeiro said, noting that this type of investment in the social area also "says a lot about what we are as a People and as Region."
 
The Community Centre opened today has an installed capacity of 220 places and comprises several areas of activity of the Child Support Institute - Azores: Street Entertainment, SOS-Child services, Interaction and Experiential Education Centre (CIEV), Guardianship Mediation Services, training and information spaces, and all the general services of this Private Social Solidarity Institution.