To enhance services for new immigrants in Houlong Township, the Miaoli County Government is holding an opening ceremony for the new immigrant community service center in Houlong Township. The event will take place on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 9:00 am at the Puding Community Development Association (No. 61-3 Zhongxin Road, Puding Village, Houlong Township). The center aims to provide convenient services to new immigrants in the Houlong area.

According to statistics from the Civil Affairs Department, as of the end of September 2024, the number of new immigrants registered through marriage in Miaoli County reached 17,694, with 1,256 residing in Houlong Township alone. Due to differences in national backgrounds, customs, and cultures, new immigrants often face challenges in adjusting to life after marriage. To enhance social participation and expand social support networks for new immigrants, Miaoli County has not only secured funding from the New Immigrant Development Fund to establish two new immigrant family service centers in the southern and northern regions of the county, but has also obtained subsidies from the Social and Family Affairs Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare to establish four new immigrant service centers in Dahu, Zhunan, Sanyi, and Toufen. To provide more accessible services for new immigrants in Houlong, the Puding Community Development Association has established a fifth center, offering consultations, guidance, and cultural exchange services, assisting new immigrants in addressing various everyday issues, such as gender equality, healthcare, language learning, and access to welfare resources. The goal is to promote the integration and development of a diverse community.

The center will be open every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at No. 61-3 Zhongxin Road, Puding Village, Houlong Township, providing welfare consultations, home visits, referrals, and services related to the promotion of new immigrant programs and activities. This center is expected to serve more new immigrants in the local and surrounding areas, acting as a bridge between newcomers and local citizens, and fostering interaction and integration.

The County Government hopes to establish a network with all levels of government, schools, and civil organizations, linking them with the two new centers and new service points in the county. The goal is to continue expanding new immigrant services and support for second-generation newcomers. This initiative aims to promote personal, school, and community growth, fostering a global outlook among county residents. By incorporating new foreign cultures into existing lifestyles and encouraging learning and exchange, we hope to spark more positive interactions. We also invite more schools, clubs, and agencies to participate in injecting fresh energy into new immigrant affairs.