A Beautiful Story That Happened at 'Teo,' the Middle-Aged and Senior Shelter in Daejo-dong, Eunpyeong-gu?

Various Programs to Energize the Lives of Middle-Aged and Older Singles... Success Stories of Residents Achieving Independence Through Self-Reliance Programs

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Daejo-dong, Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) recognizes that the proportion of single middle-aged and older households, a vulnerable group to solitary deaths, is very high, increasing the likelihood of issues such as solitary deaths. Since July last year, they have been operating 'Teo,' a shelter for single middle-aged and older households.

‘Teo,’ created through public-private cooperation and the first of its kind nationwide, operates with the goal of providing opportunities for independence through tailored public support and job linkage by counseling socially isolated households.

Meanwhile, news is coming from Daejo-dong about residents who have succeeded in becoming independent through the shelter.

Mr. Choi (in his 40s) was removed from the basic livelihood security program in 2011 simply because his father, whom he had not contacted even once, was deemed capable of supporting him. His resident registration was even canceled, and he endured life’s hardships alone while living in a goshiwon (a small, cheap lodging). In 2016, when the ‘Visiting Community Service Center’ was launched, he knocked on the door of the community center with a hopeful heart.

The Daejo-dong Community Service Center, to resolve Mr. Choi’s financial difficulties, provided emergency support and selected him for basic livelihood security. At the same time, judging that he had severe intellectual disabilities causing difficulties in daily life, they held a ‘Community Case Meeting’ where the goshiwon manager, the Northwest Disabled Welfare Center, local related organizations, and kind neighbors gathered to support Mr. Choi’s independence and self-sufficiency.

Afterwards, Mr. Choi began living a stable life, met a loved one, and started a new life. Later, encouraged by a welfare planner, he received health counseling at the ‘Daejo-dong Middle-aged and Older Shelter’ and discovered that his girlfriend was pregnant. However, the joy was short-lived as she experienced symptoms of prenatal depression, leading to another difficult time.

At the ‘Daejo-dong Middle-aged and Older Shelter,’ they helped Mr. Choi’s girlfriend by conducting regular counseling in cooperation with the Eunpyeong Mental Health Welfare Center. They also provided childbirth-related support such as childbirth encouragement funds, maternity benefits, diapers, formula, baby supplies, and postpartum care center expenses. As a result, their adorable son was safely born in October 2019.

Initially, the girlfriend’s parents did not recognize him as family, but now he fulfills his responsibilities as the head of the household and lives diligently.

The most urgent support needed for this family going forward is securing stable housing so that the child can grow up healthily. With the help of a welfare planner, they have applied for rental housing and are currently waiting.

Also, after registering their marriage, they have yet to hold a wedding ceremony but plan to have a small wedding. They will be provided with information on jobs for people with disabilities, parental counseling, and childcare education, and will receive integrated support until they become independent, enabling them to build a harmonious family and live happily.

In addition, ‘Teo’ offers a space where socially isolated single middle-aged and older households can communicate and socialize to prevent isolation and solitary deaths. They conduct healing activities such as reading, movie watching, and playing baduk (Korean Go) to create opportunities to step outside the home and engage with the world.

Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, stated, "In the future, we plan to promote various projects not only through the Middle-aged and Older Shelter but also through the Yakult beverage delivery business, Our Neighborhood Care Group operation, Neighbor Watch activities, and the establishment of a Single Household Support Center to help form communities and improve social networks so that more middle-aged and older people living alone in crisis situations can dream new dreams, find hope, and return to society."