Gangseo-gu Operates Youth Temporary Shelter 'Dream House'

Like a cafe without pressure, as comfortable as home... You can open your heart to university senior sisters and brothers

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) operates a temporary shelter for youth called ‘Dream House’ to help adolescents in crisis situations.

According to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’s announcement at the end of 2017, about 270,000 runaway youths have left home due to parental abuse and neglect, school maladjustment, and other reasons.

Also, shelters that require runaway youths, who are accustomed to the streets, to write down their reasons for running away or their parents’ contact information are not effective alternatives.

Accordingly, the district signed a business agreement with KC University, the entrusted corporation of the Youth Counseling Welfare Center, and Chihyeon Church, connected through the university, to provide an emotional refuge for wandering youths and establish a support network for runaway youths.

The district established two temporary shelters for youth, ‘Dream House,’ at KC University and Chihyeon Church, operating them 24 hours a day.

The temporary shelter ‘Dream House’ provides a stable temporary residence and serves as a bridge to necessary emergency care and other shelters.

In particular, instead of adults who pry into why they left home or lecture them, college student mentors, like older sisters and brothers, offer a listening ear.

During their stay, youths can receive counseling in a comfortable space at a comfortable time, and professional counselors empathize and accept them from their perspective, planning to consider and support what youths need.

‘Dream House’ is available for male and female youths aged 9 to 24 and can be used from 1 day up to 3 days.

Mayor Noh Hyun-song said, “We prepared ‘Dream House’ together with the local community to help youths in crisis situations. We will do our best to be a strong support for youths who are wandering, alienated from adults and society.”

Inquiries can be made to the Gangseo-gu Youth Counseling Welfare Center or the Education and Youth Division of Gangseo-gu Office.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.