Gyeonggi-do Opens Independent Living Spaces for Care-Leaving Children in Hwaseong and Goyang

[Asia Economy (Hwaseong) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has opened residential independence spaces for protection-terminated children (youth preparing for independence) in Hwaseong City and Goyang City.

On the 29th, Gyeonggi Province announced that it held an opening ceremony for the 'Hope Stepping Stone Gyeonggi Center' in Bongdam-eup, Hwaseong City, jointly with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and the Community Chest of Korea.

The Hope Stepping Stone Gyeonggi Center is a residential space for youth who have left facilities after turning 18, promoted as a public-private partnership by Gyeonggi Province, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the Community Chest of Korea, and the Gyeonggi Welfare Foundation, established respectively in Hwaseong and Ilsan, Goyang.

The Hope Stepping Stone Gyeonggi Center consists of ▲dormitories where protection-terminated children reside (14 rooms in Hwaseong, 4 rooms in Goyang) ▲'experience rooms' where they can try independent living before leaving the facility (3 rooms in Hwaseong, 2 rooms in Goyang) ▲office and counseling spaces.

Any welfare facility leavers or youth aged 18 to under 25 who have left (or are scheduled to leave) protective care can apply for residency. The maximum residency period is two years. Currently, 8 out of 18 dormitory rooms are scheduled for occupancy, and the remaining 10 rooms will be recruited by early next year.

Considering the characteristics of the target group, the province plans to provide one-on-one customized support programs such as employment, daily life, and financial management, independent living experience programs for middle and high school students under protection to experience independence in advance, and career and education programs.

Oh Byeong-kwon, Acting Governor of Gyeonggi Province, said, "Thanks to the opening of the Gyeonggi Center, our children now have a comfortable place to rest and conditions have been expanded to always be with experts who can help them think about their future," adding, "We will prepare measures so that more youth leaving facilities can move in."

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