Seocho-gu's Heartfelt Lunar New Year Gifts for 'Yeolyeodeol Eoreun'

‘Seocho-type Independence Support Project’ for Children Aging Out of Care Fully Launched...Up to 55 Million KRW Economic Support for 5 Years After Aging Out...1:1 Customized Independence and Financial Education with Intensive Counseling and Emotional Support...‘Seoripul Didimdol Independence Support Group’ Operates Independence Alumni Community...Holiday Food and Well-Wishing Cards Delivered for Lunar New Year to Check on Well-being

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seocho-gu plans to officially launch the ‘Seocho-type Independence Support Project’ by preparing holiday food and holiday blessing cards for eighteen-year-olds (children aging out of care) who must stand on their own and spend the holidays alone, delivering warm love.

Children aging out of care refer to those who must leave the foster care facility or foster family where they have been living upon turning 18 and become independent. Every year during Lunar New Year, families who have been apart gather in one place to exchange New Year greetings and blessings while enjoying rice cake soup, but among us are ‘eighteen-year-olds’ who quietly spend the holidays alone as accidental adults.

The district plans to personally deliver a heartfelt meal consisting of holiday food (rice cake dumpling soup and jeon) and blessing cards to these local children aging out of care, conveying warmth and checking on their well-being.

Meanwhile, the district’s careful attention to children aging out of care does not stop there. It has been providing practical support to help children who have become independent at a young age and are responsible for both housing and livelihood to gain courage and successfully establish themselves in society.

With advice from the Child Rights Protection Agency and experts, the district officially launched the ‘Seocho-type Independence Support Project’ in December last year. Along with financial support of up to 55 million KRW over five years after aging out of care, it provides close emotional support through 1:1 customized independence and financial education as well as thorough counseling and mentoring.

Additionally, based on one year of independence consulting and the results of the planned goals, the district will carefully check whether the independence support funds have been used appropriately and decide on continued support, ensuring meticulous follow-up management.

Furthermore, the district has formed the ‘Seoripul Stepping Stone Independence Support Group,’ composed of related experts and seniors who have successfully become independent after aging out of care, to seek advice on support directions and provide mentoring to independent children.

Currently, Lee OO (24), a child aging out of care participating in the Seocho-type Independence Support Program, said, “I am preparing steadily for employment by using the independence funds provided by the district for language academy and job-related expenses necessary for my career path. Also, I plan to save the support funds I will receive in the future carefully to use them effectively to achieve my dreams, and the counseling teacher watches over me meticulously like a mother.”

She expressed gratitude to Seocho-gu, saying that although she learned how to earn money early through part-time jobs since she was 20, there was no one to tell her how much living expenses should be or what kind of savings to make.

A district official stated, “We will continue to consider better support so that young people taking their first steps into society can settle safely,” adding, “The district office will carefully take care of them like a reliable adult by their side so that they can feel ‘they are not alone.’”

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