Agency for Volunteer Service (AVS) founded in 1970, is a non profit organization mainly financed by funds from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, The Community Chest of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and public and private donations. With the vision to build a civil society and caring community, AVS is dedicated to playing a proactive and pivotal role in the promotion and development of sustainable volunteerism, and to develop partnership with all sectors of the community to provide value added and quality volunteer service.
The work of AVS is multi-faceted. It mobilizes and organizes volunteer services. AVS offers referral service for those who wish to volunteer and supports organizations requiring volunteer service.
Being a pioneer in volunteering, AVS directly manages innovative and large-scale volunteer projects to respond to community needs, such as SARS Prevention Volunteer Campaign, Family Volunteering Scheme, Retired Person Volunteering Programme, Cultural Services Volunteers Programme and Hopeful School Project. Internationally, AVS is a cooperating organization of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and the focal point of UNV activities in Hong Kong, AVS promotes and recruits qualified professionals to provide expert service and to support sustainable development of developing countries. AVS is the Hong Kong National Representative of International Association for Volunteer Effort, sending representatives to attend international and regional conference to exchange and network with volunteer organizations abroad.
To strengthen volunteers’ competence, and to enhance the quality and professionalism of volunteer service, AVS established a Volunteer Training and Development Centre to provide diversified training for volunteers, and volunteer organizations. It also produces publications and audio-visual aids on volunteer management and training for effective management of volunteer resources.
Above apart, AVS focuses on stimulating volunteerism to encourage volunteering. AVS organizes a range of promotion and public educational programmes including volunteer recognition programmes and celebrations on the International Volunteer Day that falls on the 5th of December each year. |
