Goyang-si Launches Customized 'Youth Support Project' for the COVID Era

Meal Delivery, Home Visit Homework Checks... Also Launching Reading and Culture Support Programs

Goyang City Hall

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Youngcheol] Goyang City in Gyeonggi Province is exploring and promoting non-face-to-face programs and various projects tailored for youth in response to the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

On the 17th, Goyang City announced, "We are conducting 'customized online learning mentoring' and various support projects for youth who are experiencing irregular lifestyles and difficulties in time management due to COVID-19."

They selected 100 university students to serve as mentors for 300 elementary, middle, and high school students, including low-income youth in the area, to help them with self-directed life management and learning capabilities.

In particular, through the 'Goyang City-KB Baeumnuri' project, which has been promoted for 10 years, they provide learning support and various programs such as university career guidance to students who lack private education opportunities due to economic circumstances.

The after-school academy has also shifted to a non-face-to-face format, delivering lunch boxes, convenience foods, and experience kits to students while checking whether they have completed their workbook assignments.

This year, the program is operating with 70 million KRW sponsored by KB Kookmin Bank and 140 million KRW from Goyang City’s budget, targeting 80 youth.

The youth support projects 'Friend, Let's Go to the Bookstore' and 'Friend, Let's Go to the Performance Hall' were also introduced for the first time this year. These are fully funded by the city to support youth who are increasingly fatigued due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and have difficulty enjoying cultural activities.

'Friend, Let's Go to the Bookstore' plans to revitalize local bookstores and promote students' reading culture by providing each participant with a 15,000 KRW book exchange voucher (Goyang Book Pay) to purchase books they want at designated neighborhood bookstores.

Additionally, the 'Goyang City University Student Self-Pay Tuition Support' project, launched for the first time this year, will begin accepting applications from September 13.

The program targets welfare recipients under 29 years old, including basic livelihood security recipients, near-poverty groups, legally single-parent families, disabled university students with household income below 200% of the median income, and families with three or more children.

The support amount covers 100% of self-pay tuition for basic livelihood security university students and 50% for other eligible students, with a maximum support amount of 1 million KRW.

Furthermore, through the 'Youth Proposal Creation Center,' which celebrates its third anniversary this year, youth aged 14 to 19 will have opportunities to develop and refine their ideas through proposal education workshops, field surveys, consulting, and more.

Meanwhile, among the total youth population (ages 9 to 24) of about 180,000 in Goyang City, approximately 120,000 participated in 'non-face-to-face programs' in the second half of last year, and about 90,000 participated in 'face-to-face programs,' totaling around 210,000 participants.

Lee Jaejun, Mayor of Goyang City, said, "To protect youth learning rights and future rights, we will actively seek beneficial projects tailored to the COVID-19 pandemic situation to relieve youth stress and support their holistic growth."

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