Nowon-gu Operates Emotional Adjustment Program for Out-of-School Youth

Providing Learning Support through Peer Warak Experience Program, Club Activities (Gardening, Health Exercise, Board Games), and Operation of Elementary, Middle, High School, and GED Classes

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is preparing an emotional adjustment program for out-of-school youth who have not enrolled in regular schools or have dropped out midway.

This is to instill a sense of belonging and stability in out-of-school youth who have not received public education and to help them set various career paths, facilitating their return to school or entry into society.

The Nowon Youth Counseling Welfare Center is conducting this course from this month until December for out-of-school youth aged 9 to 24, offering 'experience programs,' 'club activity programs,' and 'GED learning support.'

First, there is the 'Experience Program Peer Warak.' There is no limit on the number of participants, and through ongoing registration, it is held every Monday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. until November with different monthly themes such as handcrafts and leather workshops.

This month, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, real-time online classes using YouTube are conducted. Materials such as candle-making kits are delivered directly to participants' homes, and the classes are broadcast live on the Welfare Center channel. In June, participants can attend in person to experience a barista course.

The 'Club Activity Program' consists of 'Vegetable Garden Cultivation,' 'Health Exercise,' and 'Board Games.' 'Vegetable Garden Cultivation' runs from the 25th of this month until the end of December, with teams of five tending a vegetable garden at Bulamsan Eoullim Park every Tuesday. They also harvest seedlings and try cooking. There are also visits to the Gyeongchun Line vegetable garden in front of Hagye 2-dong Community Center and the Nowon Eco Center.

'Health Exercise Saengdong' is open for ongoing registration and runs every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. until November, walking along Danghyeon Stream and Bukhansan Dulle-gil trails. Participants set monthly personal health goals and can check physical changes. The capacity is five people.

'Board Game Wabora' is for about 10 participants, with ongoing registration available, and runs every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. until November, teaching various types of board games. Each game appoints a rule master who voluntarily leads the sessions, and participants also take part in external board game competitions.

All courses are free, and for the experience program, participation is limited to those aged 15 to 20, who tend to have higher engagement.

Support for 'GED Learning' is also provided. From June 8 to August 7, classes for elementary, middle, and high school levels are held three times a week from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. If attending in person is difficult, participants can access classes via provided internet lecture IDs. Support is also given for GED registration and on-site exam assistance.

Last year, 131 people took the exam, with 121 passing, achieving a 92% pass rate. Among them, 102 who obtained a high school diploma are supported academically through university entrance information and admission consulting.

Course registration must be made by phone to the Nowon Youth Counseling Welfare Center, and non-members can register by visiting in person. The education locations include the Nowon Youth Counseling Welfare Center near Danggogae Station (777 Deokneung-ro, Nowon-gu) and adjacent facilities such as Kkumdeulim and Warak.

Free meals are provided to participating youth during the center’s operating hours, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.

District Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “We will do our best to help youth outside the formal education system grow into healthy members of society through various policies.” Nowon-gu Office Department of Children and Youth

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