Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Supports Stable Social Settlement for Youth Preparing for Independence

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 15th that it will strengthen support policies to back the psychological stability and safe social settlement of youth preparing for independence.

This initiative was promoted to strengthen the social support system and support stable social settlement following recent consecutive extreme choices by youth preparing for independence (children aging out of protection).

Gwangsan-gu will first establish a control tower for supporting youth preparing for independence, centered on the Women and Children Division, welfare and employment-related departments, 21 district administrative welfare centers, health centers, as well as private cooperation organizations and external institutions.

Through this, the goal is to systematize the support services that have been carried out sporadically and to connect necessary support projects for youth preparing for independence through customized case management in collaboration with departments and institutions.

In particular, despite various support systems such as settlement funds and independence allowances, the focus will be on establishing a district-level support system for youth suffering from emotional and psychological instability after leaving facilities.

‘Gwangsan Mentoring Supporters’ will be operated, matching village activists 1:1 with youth preparing for independence to become social parents who share various concerns and difficulties and help with independence.

Additionally, for youth requiring professional psychological treatment and counseling, customized counseling treatment will be supported in connection with the Mental Health Welfare Center.

Support will also be provided to strengthen economic independence capabilities. Centered on Gwangsan-gu’s ‘Cheongcheong Platform,’ customized career consulting, education, and job experience opportunities will be provided together with employment-related institutions, and a project to connect jobs through agreements with local small and medium-sized enterprises will also be promoted.

Various educational programs such as self-management and proper consumption habits will also be conducted.

Gwangsan-gu plans to systematize existing policies and new projects into a ‘comprehensive support plan’ and build a foundation for stable independence and social settlement of youth preparing for independence through continuous needs surveys, satisfaction surveys, and follow-up management.

Above all, to prepare fundamental alternatives, the district will continuously propose to the central government institutional improvements such as a five-year special case application for post-management of earned income imposition on youth preparing for independence and independence support for those under 18 years old aging out of protection.

A Gwangsan-gu official said, “To prevent tragic repetitions, it is urgent to care for the loneliness and anxiety of youth who have left facilities and been pushed into society and to create a realistic support system that can help them overcome these challenges,” adding, “We will actively work to promote projects that can be done at the district level immediately while ensuring that countermeasures at the Gwangju city and government levels are prepared.”

Meanwhile, as of last month, there are 99 youth aged 18 or older who have aged out of protection in Gwangsan-gu. Among them, 57 are receiving welfare benefits, and 55 live alone.

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