Regional Government delivers minibus to Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Velas under "Solidarity in Movement" programme
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity delivered a 21-seat vehicle to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Velas, São Jorge Island, to improve the transport conditions of children and young people who attend this institution.
The Regional Government's support for the acquisition of a minibus, amounting to 89 thousand Euros, was granted under the "Solidarity in Movement" programme. It aims to renew the car park of Private Social Solidarity Institutions in the Region with signs of wear and tear.
Andreia Cardoso spoke Monday during the delivery of the vehicle, a ceremony chaired by the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro. On the occasion, she stressed that the social institutions on the island of São Jorge have already received three vehicles under the "Solidarity in Movement" programme, representing an investment of about 200 thousand Euros from the Regional Government.
"In the first phase, two vehicles were allocated: the 21-seat minibus now delivered to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Velas and a nine-seat vehicle for the transport of people with reduced mobility delivered to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Calheta," said the government official.
"In the second phase of the programme, the application from the Casa de Providência de São José was approved, also for the acquisition of an 18-seat minibus, corresponding to an investment of almost 51 thousand Euros," added the Regional Secretary.
“Considering the amounts granted in the first and second phase of the programme, we are talking about an overall investment of 187 thousand Euros in the renewal of the vehicle fleet for the transport of the most vulnerable age groups, namely children, young people and elderly on the island of São Jorge,” noted Andreia Cardoso.
The Support Programme for Vehicle Acquisition by Private Social Solidarity Institutions in the Region - "Solidarity in Movement" aims to increase the Regional Government's support to the institutions that make up the social solidarity network of the Azores, strengthening the social cohesion and inclusion of various groups.
The programme represents a significant investment by the Region in the social sector with the purpose of supporting the acquisition of vehicles that will consolidate and expand the activities carried out by Private Social Solidarity Institutions under cooperation contracts signed with the Region.
In the first edition, 31 applications were approved under this programme and nine were approved in the second edition, making a total of 40 vehicles, an overall investment of approximately 1.2 million Euros.
“Therefore, we believe that we are contributing to the improvement of the activities carried out by the institutions that make up the social solidarity network. They provide a strong contribution to a more cohesive and inclusive Region, through the acquisition of vehicles that allow the consolidation of their activity,” said Andreia Cardoso.
The Regional Secretary praised the role of Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Velas and its workers for their “commitment and dedicated work as a key element for the promotion of inclusion and equal opportunities as well as an example of reconciliation between professional, personal and family life, thus providing a strong contribution to social cohesion."
The government official also stressed that the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Velas benefited from support twice in early 2020. The first allocation was aimed at the remodelling of the entire electrical network and the replacement of light bulbs/armatures in the headquarters building, where the daycare centre and Kindergarten are installed, and at the waterproofing works on the flat roof of the building, representing on overall investment of more 37 thousand Euros.
In turn, the second allocation was intended to cover the costs with the painting works of the building where the Free Time Activity Centre, Kindergarten and Daycare Centre of the said Institution operate, corresponding to an investment of 20 thousand Euros.
“The multi-annual plan for 2021 also provides for the allocation of support in the amount of 26 thousand Euros for minor interventions in the improvement of the institution's Daycare Centre, Kindergarten and Free Activity Centre,” added the Regional Secretary.