"My Neighbor, I Care for" ... Launch of Our Neighborhood Care Team in Dongdaemun-gu

Direct Care for Neighbors in Welfare Blind Spots...5 Pilot Districts, Total 25 At-Risk Households Identified and Supported

Residents of Jegidong Community Center's Our Neighborhood Care Team share various activity cases during their weekly regular meetings.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor You Deok-yeol) has launched the "Our Neighborhood Care Team" this month, which directly cares for vulnerable groups and marginalized neighbors in welfare blind spots.

The Our Neighborhood Care Team consists of local residents who are well acquainted with the community and live close to the residents. They regularly visit households in crisis within welfare blind spots, check on their well-being, and connect them to necessary social welfare services, thereby complementing gaps in the public welfare network.

Dongdaemun-gu selected members of the Our Neighborhood Care Team primarily from residents who have lived in the area for more than three years and have shown interest in the community and leadership in volunteer activities.

Before starting their activities, the team members received basic training related to their roles, including case management and counseling techniques, safety education, and field training to enhance their professionalism.

Initially, a total of 25 members will begin activities from March in five pilot neighborhoods (Jegi-dong, Jeonnong 1-dong, Jangan 1-dong, Cheongnyangni-dong, and Imun 1-dong) to identify and support households in crisis and vulnerable groups.

They share various cases through weekly regular meetings led by the neighborhood officials, exchanging opinions. When necessary, they act as a bridge to connect public social services such as social security and emergency welfare, as well as diverse welfare services encompassing both public and private sectors, including Hope Partnership, Food Bank, and Sharing Stores.

After the appointment period of the Our Neighborhood Care Team expires, the district plans to link members to "Sharing Neighbors," supporting the activation of voluntary resident-led groups.

Mayor You Deok-yeol stated, "Although the number of people needing help is increasing due to issues such as solitary deaths and rising suicide rates, problems in welfare blind spots are emerging due to the limitations of public welfare. We look forward to the active activities of the Our Neighborhood Care Team, which will operate in every corner of the community where public assistance is hard to reach."

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