The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity presided over the ceremony of laying the first stone of the remodelling works of the Community Centre and Free Time Activity Centre of “Confederação Operária Terceirense” (social institution), an investment supported by the Regional Government amounting to over one million Euros.
 
Andreia Cardoso stressed that projects like the one that is about to start "were set in the beginning of the legislative period as one of the cornerstones of the Government's social policies," namely the reinforcement and improvement of the network of social infrastructures and services.
 
In her speech, Andreia Cardoso pointed out the creation of social facilities aimed at children and youth as a particularly important means of supporting family sustainability, reiterating the Azorean Government's investment in these policies.
 
"During this term, we awarded priority status to the increase of household disposable income," the Regional Secretary stressed, noting that the Government maintained and increased the Regional Family Allowance Supplement, and even reduced family contributions in social responses for children.
 
Andreia Cardoso also stressed that the Region has significantly increased the number of social responses in childhood and youth. The government official ensured that this is a clear option of the Regional Government that has been strengthened with the, also significant, increase of the funds available for investment and maintenance of infrastructures.
 
The Secretary for Social Solidarity also highlighted the Regional Government's investments in differentiated and more comprehensive responses. In this regard, she recalled the recent creation of two free time activity centres on São Miguel and Terceira that will cover a wider group age. They are also provided with the necessary conditions for the integration of young people with disabilities.
 
The remodelling of the Community Centre and Free Time Activity Centre of “Confederação Operária Terceirense,” a contract work included in the Regional Public Works Charter, has capacity for 46 children in the Free Time Centre. Moreover, it will house the administrative services and other technical services provided by the institution that will make up the Community Centre.