Father Enea Tapella, an ltalian Missionary, formed groups of volunteers to organize various social, leisure and religious activities for persons with disabilities in the late 60s and early 70s. Unfortunately, in 1977, he passed away in an accident when he was searching for a new site for the summer camp of that year. Following his death, many people participated in rehabilitation activities enthusiastically, in the hope that his work might be continued in the same spirit. In the same year, a Catholic fellow lent a flat unconditionally for persons with disabilities for temporary accommodation, which was the former “Father Tapella Home” (FTH). To ensure the continuity for FTH and to develop services for persons with intellectual disabilities, Father Bonzi together with a group of professionals and volunteers set up an association, namely “The Society of Homes for the Handicapped” (SHH), in 1977. In May 1978, the Society was incorporated under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance and subsidized by the Government to further develop our services. In September 1997, our Rehabilitation Centre, situated in Aberdeen, opened and our first halfway house commenced its service, to support persons with psychiatric disabilities to integrate into the community. In January 2001, the Society has been renamed as “Fu Hong Society”, while the Chinese name remained the same.

“Fu Hong” in Chinese means “giving assistance to become physically and mentally healthy”. Since establishment, our Society is committed to develop the potential of persons with disabilities, enable them to achieve maximum independence and become fully integrated citizens in the community. We have pioneered in establishing pilot services, including temporary residential care service, home-based training, hotline service, care and attention home, and extended care service in day centres. At the moment, our Society operates over 50 service units, serving over 3,300 persons with disabilities including intellectual disabilities, autism and psychiatric disabilities etc. To carry forward, our Society has set up the Casa Famiglia which enables persons with intellectual disabilities to enjoy family life; established the first development and support centre for adults with autism – Hin Dip Centre; established Best Buddies Hong Kong” Movement which is part of the international movement, originated in the U.S.A., to promote one-to-one friendship between persons with and without intellectual disabilities. We also strengthen our community-based support services to assist the families in providing care to persons with disabilities living in the community.