The Azores Social Security has transferred to ARRISCA a space located in Ponta Delgada for occupational and production activities workshops - Ergoazulejo and Recreational Spaces - as well as for carpentry activities. With this transfer, this association will be able reduce its monthly costs by two thousand Euros.
 
The Regional Director for Social Solidarity said today at the opening of this space that the initiative falls within the policies conducted by the Government of the Azores with the aim of "providing social institutions with resources and strategies to enhance their management efficiency and reduce their operation costs."

Natércia Gaspar emphasised the social support provided to people and families by Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS) and "Santas Casas da Misericórdia," adding that the Azorean Government "will continue to subsidise these institutions and cooperate with them."

The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Social Solidarity, has based its actions on the support to families and people, leaving "no one behind," said the Regional Director.

In this context, the government official pointed out the example of ARRISCA, stressing that, in fact, this institution "does not leave anyone behind since its actions are developed among the most vulnerable groups of our society that have broken all ties with it."

Furthermore, Natércia Gaspar highlighted the efforts undertaken by this association in "creating alternative ways to raise funds" for the activities developed and the support provided through occupational therapy spaces, such as JEMaçor- Jardinagem e Mudanças, recreational areas, carpentry or the space that was opened today.

In addition to being specially designed for occupational therapy, these activities also allow their beneficiaries to "render services to the community and, therefore, promote the employability of people in situation of serious social exclusion, who would hardly find a place in the labour market."

At a time when the institution is celebrating its seventh anniversary, the Regional Directorate called for the support of the community in the "effort of social inclusion" that is being undertaken by ARRISCA and other institutions, through donations, acquisition of services and voluntary work. According to the government official, this effort is "the evidence that Azorean society welcomes and supports the right of being a citizen."

Natércia Gaspar also reiterated the Government's availability to "continue supporting the actions developed by ARRISCA" as well as other projects that will "benefit people, families and communities."

"After seven years, ARRISCA has become a support institution for those who are at the bottom of society by implementing rehabilitation strategies and resources and promoting social inclusion. Although these efforts are not always recognised, they greatly contribute to social cohesion and to sense of community safety," said the government official.

ARRISCA was created on January 15, 2007 with the purpose of preventing risk behaviours and promoting the social rehabilitation and integration of people in serious situation of social exclusion; it currently supports over 1,400 people on the island of São Miguel.