Yongsan-gu Opens Lifelong Education Center for People with Developmental Disabilities... Gangdong-gu Establishes Shelter Exclusively for the Visually Impaired

[Seoul District News] Yongsan-gu Health Branch (329 Baekbeom-ro) Renovated 4th-5th Floors, Total Area 780㎡, 5 General Classrooms, 4 Special Classrooms, Multipurpose Room, Counseling Room... Gangdong-gu Dedicated Shelter for Visually Impaired ‘Haengbok Nanumteo’ Established... Myeonmok 4-dong Our Neighborhood Care Center Jungnang-gu 3rd Branch Opened... Jung-gu 'Lululala, Village School Winter Program' Successfully Completed... Mapo-gu ‘Gyeongui Line Book Street’ Public Tender for Management Operator

Lifelong Education Center for People with Developmental Disabilities General Classroom

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seong Jang-hyun) Developmental Disabilities Lifelong Education Center will hold an opening ceremony at 3 p.m. on the 27th, inviting parents, disability organizations, and others.

The Developmental Disabilities Lifelong Education Center is a facility that provides social adaptation training and vocational skill enhancement programs for adults aged 18 and over with developmental disabilities who wish to continue their education.

The Yongsan-gu Developmental Disabilities Lifelong Education Center is a renovated facility with a total floor area of 780㎡, located on the 4th and 5th floors of the Yongsan-gu Health Branch Office (329 Baekbeom-ro). The 4th floor houses offices, counseling rooms, a multipurpose room, and a cooking activity room, while the 5th floor includes five general classrooms, a special activity room, individual activity rooms, and a psychological stabilization room.

The capacity is 30 people (6 per class), and the study period is 5 years. Two teachers with relevant professional certifications are assigned per class to provide systematic education. The curriculum is divided into mandatory subjects (communication, daily life training, social adaptation, health management, vocational transition education, and positive behavior support) and elective subjects (leisure, culture, sports, etc.).

Seventeen individuals have been selected as candidates and are preparing to enroll (classes start on February 3). Priority is given to residents within the district (currently recruiting), and up to 20% of the capacity is open to residents from other areas (recruitment closed).

The facility's entrusted institution was selected through a public contest as the Onnuri Welfare Foundation (CEO Song Young-beom), a social welfare corporation.

Yongsan-gu Mayor Seong Jang-hyun said, "Four years after declaring the foundation year for disability welfare, the Developmental Disabilities Lifelong Education Center is finally opening," adding, "We will provide high-quality educational services so that people with developmental disabilities can do even one more thing on their own."

In February 2021, the district revised and promulgated the 'Yongsan-gu Ordinance on the Rights Protection and Support for People with Developmental Disabilities,' and in May, it was selected in the Seoul Metropolitan Government's public contest for operating the Developmental Disabilities Lifelong Education Center. Facility construction began in October last year and was completed in January this year. The total project cost is 959 million KRW (city funds 425 million KRW, district funds 534 million KRW).

Interior of a shelter for the visually impaired

Gangdong-gu (District Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) has created a dedicated rest area for the visually impaired and has begun full-scale operation.

The visually impaired rest area, newly opened on the 25th in Cheonho-dong, was remodeled by Gangdong-gu to adapt the interior of an existing district facility for the convenience of visually impaired users, creating a dedicated space for the visually impaired.

This specialized space was created to accommodate visually impaired individuals who have difficulty using general welfare facilities. The building's first floor houses a senior citizens' center, and the fourth floor includes a women's shared space, transforming it into a comprehensive welfare space called 'Happiness Sharing Center' for seniors, the visually impaired, and women.

The Happiness Sharing Center (27-23 Olympic-ro 89-gil) is equipped with an education room, exercise room, lounge, and multipurpose room to support the welfare of visually impaired individuals and is expected to become a community space for them.

The shared space on the fourth floor includes kitchen facilities and will be used for women's activities such as charity events by the Gangdong-gu Saemaeul Women's Association and meetings of women's organizations. The existing senior citizens' center on the first floor will continue to operate as a rest and community space for seniors in Cheonho-dong.

Gangdong-gu Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon said, "A community space where visually impaired people can gather and communicate is essential," adding, "With the opening of the Happiness Sharing Center, I hope the quality of life for our neighbors who have been marginalized will improve and that it will serve as an opportunity for them to communicate as members of society."

Currently, about 1,953 visually impaired people reside in Gangdong-gu. The district plans to strengthen the operation of the Happiness Sharing Center, using it not only as a self-help meeting space for the visually impaired but also to offer customized education such as Braille, informatization, and walking safety, as well as various programs like yoga and singing classes to increase user satisfaction.

Jungnang-gu (District Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi) opened the third branch of the Our Neighborhood Care Center in Myeonmok 4-dong to safely protect children in need of care and provide various play and educational programs.

The third branch of Our Neighborhood Care Center (209 Yongmasan-ro, Commercial Building 1, Unit 1) is located in Myeonmok 4-dong, about a 10-minute walk from Junggok Elementary School nearby.

The third branch opened on the 10th and is currently operating, with a capacity of 22 children for regular care and 4 for temporary care. Operating hours are from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the school term and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during vacations.

Our Neighborhood Care Center provides both regular and temporary care, meals and snacks, and common programs such as reading, homework guidance, and physical play.

Additionally, special activity programs such as 'Art Pongdang,' 'Learning Our History Correctly,' and 'Project-Based Learning (PBL)' are conducted by inviting external professional instructors.

Those wishing to use the care service can apply online through the Our Neighborhood Care Portal. For more details, contact the Jungnang 3rd branch.

Jungnang-gu Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said, "Through Our Neighborhood Care Center, parents in dual-income or single-parent families can reduce childcare worries, and children can grow up healthy and happy through various programs."

Meanwhile, the district operates the first branch of Our Neighborhood Care Center in Sinnae 1-dong and the second branch in Muk 1-dong.

Geumcheon-gu (District Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon) announced on the 25th that all Geumcheon-gu employees gathered their small but precious hearts to donate 359 boxes of kimchi (5kg each) to low-income families in the area.

The donation ceremony was held at 10:30 a.m. at the Geumcheon-gu Office plaza, attended by Geumcheon-gu Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon and Park Jin-yi, branch chief and representative of Geumcheon-gu employees.

The donated goods are worth about 14 million KRW and will be distributed to low-income families through 10 neighborhood community service centers.

Park Jin-yi, branch chief of the Seoul Regional Headquarters of the National Public Officials Labor Union, Geumcheon-gu branch, said, "Through this Kimchi Dream project sharing hearts, I hope warm comfort and hope will be delivered to low-income people such as elderly living alone who have difficulty moving."

Since 2009, Geumcheon-gu employees have raised an average of 65 million KRW annually through the employee sponsorship project, providing monthly support of 100,000 KRW to 54 low-income households in the area. Also, the Geumcheon-gu Social Welfare Administration Research Association, a group of social welfare public officials in Geumcheon-gu, has been donating 1 million KRW annually since 2016 as warm winter funds.

Geumcheon-gu Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon said, "Due to the shortage of autumn cabbage supply in 2021, kimchi prices rose, and this year's kimchi donations decreased by more than 50% compared to last year," adding, "At this time approaching the Lunar New Year holiday, I hope the hearts of Geumcheon-gu employees will be well delivered to neighbors in need."

The Jung-gu (District Mayor Seo Yang-ho) Education Support Center 'Iro-um' hosted the village school 'Lululala, Village School Winter Survival,' which successfully concluded on the 22nd.

The 'Village School' is a village education community outside of school where various local members participate and lead the creation of educational content. Residents come up with ideas, create content, and design curricula. Youth sometimes become village instructors.

The district has been operating village schools during vacation periods since last summer. The second Jung-gu village school was held for two weeks from the 10th at the district's Education Support Center 'Iro-um.'

The village school featured 30 programs in three fields: culture and arts, 4th industrial experience, and humanities. Thirty village instructors and 129 students participated. Popular programs such as 'Coding Play into History,' 'Learning About Colorful Grains,' 'Children's Planning Group,' 'I am a Little Composer,' and 'Let's Play with Kalimba' were fully booked on the first day of registration.

Youth instructors conducted classes such as 'How to Find What You Like,' 'Playing Together as One,' 'Philosophy of Play for Teens,' 'Precious Time on Canvas,' and 'Catching Up with Street Woman Fighter Hey Mama,' which received enthusiastic responses from students.

In February last year, the district formed a village school planning team of 19 members, including local youth, parents, village instructors, and young artists. They met weekly to discuss the values and direction of the village school.

During the vacation, they set three principles: 'Let village children participate and lead content creation as much as possible,' 'Do not provide programs that supplement school curriculum or academic learning,' and 'Create content that village members can do and participate in.'

Based on this, the first Jung-gu village school 'Our Village Vacation to Find Myself' was planned in July last year. The results were very positive, filled with touching feedback from participants who felt joy in learning and fulfillment and happiness in preparing and creating classes together.

Using the know-how gained from operating two village schools, the district plans to continue the third village school in August with more substantial programs.

Jung-gu Mayor Seo Yang-ho said, "We will spare no support to activate village schools where residents of all ages and classes voluntarily participate and create together."

Mapo-gu (District Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) announced that it will publicly recruit a consignment operator to newly operate the Gyeongui Line Book Street.

The Gyeongui Line Book Street is a complex cultural space themed around books located at the Gyeongui Line Hongdae Complex Station, stretching 250 meters from Exit 6 of Hongdae Entrance Station to Wau Bridge, featuring nine themed 'Book Street Walks (booths),' a Media Book Wall, and various sculptures.

The district plans to select a creative and professional operator through this contest and transform the Gyeongui Line Book Street, which opened in 2016 and has attracted over 610,000 visitors in the past five years, into a forward base for becoming a global tourist city.

Applicants must be corporations or organizations with their main office in Seoul as of the announcement date, have at least two full-time staff, assets of over 100 million KRW, and relevant business performance.

Applications will be accepted from February 14 to 18 for five days. Applicants can view the application form in the 'Notices' section of the Mapo-gu website and submit the required proposal request and forms in person to the Culture and Arts Division on the 6th floor of Mapo-gu Office.

Only submitted companies will be evaluated by a selection committee composed of officials and experts at the end of February to select the consignment operator.

The selected operator will be announced on the Mapo-gu website and notified individually in March and will operate the Gyeongui Line Book Street and cultural events from April 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

The district plans to support the secretariat of the Gyeongui Line Book Street with a budget of about 650 million KRW over the 1 year and 3 months consignment period to enable diverse and innovative projects.

Last year, the Gyeongui Line Book Street was praised as a representative healing spot in Mapo-gu, providing a contemplative space with books for citizens struggling due to COVID-19 through various projects.

Since December 17 last year, the 'Gyeongui Line Book Street Winter Light Festival' has been held until February 13 this year, decorating the area with light sculptures shaped like stars and the moon, welcoming citizens. Alongside, a '5 Years of Records Exhibition' reflecting on activities since the opening and various events are being held.

Mapo-gu Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun said, "The Gyeongui Line Book Street has transformed from a coal transport railway site into a book-themed cultural space and now needs to advance as a cultural tourism destination in the post-COVID era," adding, "We ask for the interest of capable operators who will lead the Gyeongui Line Book Street together with Mapo-gu."

Dongjak-gu (District Mayor Lee Chang-woo) is creating a 'Fine Dust Safe Smart Rest Area' on the sidewalk in front of Isu Hillstate in Sadang 2-dong, applying air purification automation technology such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors.

The district promoted this project considering that the sidewalk in front of Isu Hillstate is adjacent to Dongjak-daero, an 8-lane road vulnerable to vehicle emissions, and has a high flow of pedestrians, aiming to create a space where residents can rest safely during high fine dust concentration periods.

This project was selected as a 2021 resident participation budget project, and local residents' opinions were collected through design selection and other processes. Construction of the Sadang 2-dong 'Fine Dust Safe Smart Rest Area' began last month and is planned to be completed by March.

The smart rest area to be installed is an outdoor shelter capable of simultaneous air circulation and purification, measuring 3.5m in width, 3.5m in length, and 3.8m in height, dome-shaped. In an open environment, an air curtain automatically forms according to temperature and (ultra)fine dust concentration to block fine dust inflow.

The operating principle is that when the external fine dust concentration rises, the built-in IoT sensor automatically activates, and the air density controller creates a higher air density layer inside the shelter than the surrounding air. Purified air is delivered to the lower part of the shelter through an air purification device.

The filter is equipped with a HEPA filter capable of reducing (ultra)fine dust by over 99%, and the fine dust sensor is a first-class product certified by the Ministry of Environment, collecting data inside and outside the shelter separately.

For residents' convenience and health, a heated bench to avoid cold, a monitor providing various life information such as fine dust levels, and a wireless fast charger for smartphones will also be installed.

For other inquiries about the smart rest area, contact the Clean Environment Division of Dongjak-gu Office.

Park Yeon-su, head of the Clean Environment Division, said, "We provide a shelter that can automatically circulate and purify air using IoT for residents' health," adding, "We will continue to do our best to create an environment where residents can breathe more comfortably."

Currently, there are three 'Fine Dust Safe Smart Rest Areas' installed in the district: in front of Isu Hillstate sidewalk, near Heukseok Station, and near Isu Station exits.

Jongno-gu is conducting sharing events throughout the district for vulnerable residents who are likely enduring a winter twice as cold due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and financial hardships.

First, the district held a time to provide safe food to 163 households classified as basic livelihood security recipients or near-poverty class in the area, a time when neighborly care is urgently needed. This was the 'Warm Heart Sharing Box' delivery event prepared using donations from Samdeok Accounting Corporation (CEO Lee Yong-mo).

The sharing boxes, worth about 50,000 KRW each, contain fresh fruits, seaweed, and ready meals, and were delivered by courier to each recipient's home considering the COVID-19 situation.

Additionally, in Sungin 2-dong, rice cake soup packages are being provided to 250 low-income households from the 25th to the 28th ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

Under the supervision of the Sunginje 2-dong Community Security Council (Chairman Moon Soon-hee), the packages include rice cake soup rice cakes, Korean beef, and ox bone soup, aiming to help neighbors who might otherwise be isolated to spend a warm time and supplement nutrition.

On the 26th, the Korea Sharing Federation donated 500 boxes of ramen, adding more meaning to the sharing.

The Korea Sharing Federation has been steadily supporting socially vulnerable groups with kimchi, rice, briquettes, and silver cars since 2016, practicing sharing and love in action.

A district official said, "We thank the sponsoring companies for sincerely comforting neighbors in more difficult situations and sharing the joy of the holiday," adding, "Jongno-gu will continue to build a tight welfare safety net to ensure no neighbors are left out and will do its best to improve residents' welfare."

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