Incheon City Accelerates 'In(pum) Project' to Help Youth Preparing for Independence Secure Lump Sum Funds Through Private Sponsorship

'Hope Nanuneun Saramdeul' 144 Million KRW Sponsorship Agreement Over 4 Years
Incheon City Adds 60,000 KRW... 'Didim Seed Bank' Raised 4.32 Million KRW

Incheon City is joining forces with private organizations to help children under the care of welfare facilities or foster care become independent. On the 20th, the city signed a 'Didim Seed Bank Savings Scholarship Support Agreement' with the nonprofit organization 'People Sharing Hope' to help young people preparing for independence save a lump sum of money.

The Didim Seed Bank Savings program supports low-income children by matching up to 100,000 KRW from the government (national and local funds) when a child saves 50,000 KRW monthly, helping them secure initial capital needed for independence such as tuition, employment/startup costs, and housing expenses. Currently, about 1,000 children in Incheon are protected in welfare facilities, group homes, or foster care, and these children are eligible for Didim Seed Bank support, but many are unable to save 50,000 KRW per month.

Accordingly, through this agreement, 'People Sharing Hope,' which supports underprivileged children, will sponsor 144 million KRW over four years by contributing 30,000 KRW monthly, and Incheon City will support 60,000 KRW monthly (including national funds), which is twice the savings amount. The city plans to select 100 children who cannot save 50,000 KRW monthly for support; each will be able to accumulate a total of 4.32 million KRW over four years as a lump sum for independence support.

Kim Jeong-an, chairman of People Sharing Hope, said, "I am pleased to participate in this meaningful project where the public and private sectors cooperate to support young people preparing for independence." He added, "We will continue to take an active interest and carry out social contribution projects so that children can grow up healthily in the local community." Incheon City plans to actively seek sponsors so that more children can use the Didim Seed Bank Savings as initial capital needed for independence by linking with local community private resources such as the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation Angel Campaign.

At the 'Seed Fund Savings Scholarship Support Agreement Ceremony for Incheon’s Youth Preparing for Independence' held on the 20th at the Reception Room of Incheon City Hall, Lee Haeng-sook, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Welfare of Incheon City (center), Kim Jeong-an, Chairman of Hope Sharing People (left), and Jo Sang-beom, Chairman of Incheon Community Chest of Korea, are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Incheon City

Along with this, the city plans to accelerate the 'In(pum) Project' for the stable settlement of young people preparing for independence and those about to prepare for independence in the local community. 'In(pum)' means 'the embrace of Incheon,' reflecting the intention that Incheon City and its citizens support young people preparing for independence like a parent's embrace. The In(pum) Project will provide integrated services covering all aspects of life through 21 projects in six areas: independent living, housing stability, psychological and emotional support, employment and career support, pre-support for those exiting protection, and establishment of an independence foundation.

Every year, about 70 young people in Incheon leave society and prepare to stand on their own. As of January this year, the total reached 619. Starting this year, Incheon City will expand economic support for young people preparing for independence by increasing the settlement support fund from 8 million KRW to 10 million KRW and raising the independence allowance from 350,000 KRW to 400,000 KRW per month. Additionally, the number of recipients receiving case management fees for living, housing, education, and medical care up to 400,000 KRW per month through dedicated independence support agencies will increase from 70 to 105.

The city will also alleviate housing cost burdens by linking the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) rental housing and the monthly rent deposit support project promoted by the city. Through the 'Body Health Project,' which connects dedicated independence support agencies with hospitals, the health management of recipients will be taken care of, including health checkups, vaccinations, and dental care. For young people who find it difficult to focus on vocational training due to livelihood reasons, the city will support life-oriented jobs that allow them to combine work and job experience, and provide opportunities for job experience by linking with workplaces of sponsors in barista, beauty, and baking and pastry technology fields.

The city will also provide education in fields such as finance, college admission, employment, and skills to young people preparing for independence before they exit protection, and especially plans to support independence competency programs for 50 children with borderline intellectual functioning.

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