Regional Government invests in creation and improvement of social responses on the island of Santa Maria
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity stated in Vila do Porto that the coverage rate of Free Time Activity Centres (CATL) on the island of Santa Maria "is higher than recommended," point out that "it was around 22.6% in 2019, above the recommended rate, which is set at 20%."
Andreia Cardoso spoke at the ceremony of laying the first stone of the refurbishment and adaptation works of a building for the installation of the Free Time Activity Centre of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Vila do Porto.
“The Regional Government is committed to creating and improving social responses in this area of intervention, thus promoting a balance in terms of CATL coverage rates," stressed the government official.
The adaptation of this building owned by the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Vila do Porto for the installation of the Free Time Activity Centre contributes to the recovery of building heritage, more specifically in Vila do Porto, with capacity for 55 children. This intervention corresponds to an investment of more than 630 thousand Euros.
Andreia Cardoso stated that this work falls within the Regional Government's strategy to “ensure that all children and young people, from the beginning of their lives, may benefit from a comprehensive and inclusive development process that emphasises, among other aspects, the fundamental role of CATL in promoting school success and complementing the full development of children and young people."
“Educational responses for children, namely Free Time Activity Centres, play a major role in stimulating children's cognitive development and socialisation, with a significant impact throughout their school life and during their adult life," added the Regional Secretary.
On the occasion, the government official stressed the partnership of excellence with the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Vila do Porto, which has signed 10 cooperation agreements with the Institute for Social Security of the Azores, with response capacity for 236 people. These agreements represent an annual investment of almost 870 thousand Euros.
“If we consider the other three institutions operating on the island, namely the Santa Maria Madalena Shelter, Almagreira Community Centre and Associação Salvaterra, the cooperation contracts provide about 348 vacancies in 13 social responses and services,” said the government official.
The Regional Secretary also revealed that the Government's investment in social responses in all areas of intervention on the island of Santa Maria between stood was around 9.8 million Euros between 2013 and 2019.
"This investment contributed to the growth of existing responses on the island of Santa Maria by 40%. In terms of installed capacity, it represents an increase from 318 to 476 vacancies, corresponding to more than 50% of the existing vacancies," said Andreia Cardoso.