Seocho-gu's 'Visiting Gift Box' Deploys Mental Health Support Even to Goshiwons

Vulnerable Single-Person Households Living in Gosiwon: Healthy Summer Support (Kimchi, Masks, Summer Blankets, Fans)
· Low-Income Children and Adolescents: Smart School Supplies Support (Tumblers, Masks, Colored Pencils, Bottled Water)
· Low-Income Elderly: Visiting Chobok Day Gift Delivery (Semi-Prepared Samgyetang, Masks, Bottled Water, etc.)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Jo Eun-hee) delivered ‘Visiting Gift Boxes’ to help low-income vulnerable groups, who are suffering from the dual hardships of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and extreme heat, spend a healthy summer without any damage and overcome psychological difficulties caused by COVID-19.

Through public-private welfare collaboration, the district directly packed gift boxes containing various items and delivered them to each household from the 8th to the 15th, including elderly living alone, low-income children and adolescents, and especially middle-aged single-person households living in goshiwon (small, inexpensive rooms for rent).

Considering the regional characteristics of Seocho and Banpo areas where many single-person households live in goshiwon, the district personally visited 50 low-income middle-aged single-person households in goshiwon to deliver side dishes and various summer items such as kimchi, blankets, fans, masks, and hand sanitizers to help them have a healthy summer.

On the 15th, school supplies were provided to 800 low-income children and adolescents to support their changed school life due to COVID-19.

Since items that were previously shared must now be prepared individually and hygiene must be considered, colored pencils, tumblers, masks, and bottled water were distributed to support wise school life. Local companies also participated in a sharing campaign by gifting students new product burger exchange coupons, showing that the whole village, including public and private sectors, moved to help Seocho children and adolescents grow well during these difficult times.

For the elderly in need, on the 8th, ‘Visiting Chobok Day’ was held at six community centers and two welfare centers in the Bangbae area, delivering boxes containing semi-cooked samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), masks, dehumidifiers, rice snacks, and bottled water to 160 elderly living alone with care.

The district plans to continuously prepare seasonal fruits and health foods tailored to the characteristics of local residents in each area during the upcoming heatwave after the rainy season, to carefully care for the health of low-income vulnerable groups in the community.

Additionally, before providing the visiting gift boxes, the district made thorough welfare calls to each household to check on the residents’ well-being and comfort their hearts during difficult times.

To help vulnerable groups endure the crisis well, a linkage system with customized welfare services has been established to ensure no blind spots occur, and the district plans to manage this even more meticulously.

In case anyone has difficulties they cannot easily express, a sticker with the ‘Wise Our Neighborhood Phone Numbers That Help When You Are Struggling’ was produced so that help can be received anytime nearby within the community.

In the future, for families in crisis, the district plans to provide support by pooling community resources through in-depth counseling and linking additional services.

Mayor Jo Eun-hee said, “To prevent gaps in low-income welfare services due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, we will carefully attend to even the smallest parts of daily life to ensure the psychological stability and health of our residents.”

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