Dongjak-gu, Expansion of 10 Our Neighborhood Care Centers Underway

In March, Our Neighborhood Care Center Selected as Intensive Support District... Aiming for One Care Center per 15 Districts... Customized Remodeling for Each Center Considering Publicness and Safety through Village Architect Matching

Noryangjin 2-dong Our Neighborhood Care Center Children's Learning Activities

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Changwoo Lee) is promoting the establishment of 10 Our Neighborhood Care Centers (hereinafter referred to as Care Centers) starting this month to build a robust community care system.

Last year, the district enacted the Ordinance on After-School Care Support for Elementary Schools in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, laying the institutional foundation for elementary care support. So far, three Care Centers have been established and operated in Noryangjin 2-dong, Sindaebang 1-dong, and Sadang 5-dong.

In March, Dongjak-gu was finally selected as a "Our Neighborhood Care Center Intensive Support District" in a Seoul city public contest, securing a budget of 6.296 billion KRW to expand to 10 centers, aiming for one Care Center per dong.

The Care Centers provide after-school care spaces available to any children aged 6 to 12 who need care, offering various programs such as ▲daily life education ▲play activities ▲experiential learning ▲academic guidance.

During the school term, operating hours are from 1 PM to 7 PM after school. Currently, due to the elevation to social distancing level 2, emergency care is provided from 9 AM to 6 PM.

The installation targets include 8 general centers (Noryangjin 1-dong, Sangdo 1-dong, Sangdo 3-dong, Sangdo 4-dong, Daebang-dong, Sadang 2-dong, Sadang 3-dong) and 2 integrated centers (Sadang 4-dong, Daebang-dong), totaling 10 centers, utilizing district-owned properties such as the former Sangdo 4-dong office to the fullest extent.

General type: Care Centers located within a 10-minute walking distance from home or school, emphasizing the demand and accessibility of "gap care."

Integrated type: Medium-sized Care Centers serving as village hubs that establish linkage systems among care institutions within the area, adjust care supply according to demand, and discover and support community resources.

In particular, the district, through matching with Seoul city village architects, plans to design with publicness in spatial composition such as distinguishing dynamic and static activity spaces, renovate cooking facilities, restrooms, and entrances according to Seoul city Care Center installation guidelines, and consider safety in emergencies like fires and earthquakes.

The district will begin remodeling tailored to each center's characteristics from next month and plans to select consignment operators to run the Care Centers from social welfare corporations, non-profit corporations, and non-profit private organizations by December, gradually opening centers through 2021.

Park Ju-il, Director of the Child and Youth Division, said, "Through the expansion of Our Neighborhood Care Centers, we will promote the healthy development of children and establish a community care system that parents can trust. We will continue to do our best to make Dongjak a great place to raise children through customized welfare policies for each life cycle."

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