Gwangju Youth Counseling and Welfare Center Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Opening

Opened in 1990 as the Nation's First Center... Providing Counseling Services to Over 85,000 People Annually

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Metropolitan City Youth Counseling and Welfare Center (Director Cha Eun-seon) marks its 30th anniversary on the 5th.

According to the Gwangju Youth Counseling and Welfare Center on the 4th, the center is operated under consignment from Gwangju Metropolitan City by the Durisarang Counseling and Therapy Research Institute (Chairman Park Jong).

Since its establishment on February 5, 1990, as the first of its kind nationwide, it has solidified its status as a specialized youth counseling institution providing professional services to approximately 85,000 people annually.

Main programs include ▲ youth counseling ▲ parent education ▲ training peer counselors for school violence prevention ▲ mentor program operation ▲ support projects for out-of-school youth ▲ internet and smartphone overdependence prevention and resolution projects ▲ evaluations through various psychological tests ▲ temporary shelters for runaway youth ▲ youth companion program, a visiting counseling service ▲ operation of the community integrated support system (Youth Safety Net), among others.

It has played a leading role in youth counseling and support for at-risk youth both locally and nationwide, pioneering the nationwide implementation of the youth companion program, a visiting counseling service for at-risk youth.

Additionally, it contributed to the creation and establishment of numerous programs such as operating the Haemil Out-of-School Youth Support Center, which was the first of its kind for supporting out-of-school youth, building the national-level Youth Safety Net for at-risk youth, and running healing camps for the prevention and resolution of internet and smartphone overdependence.

Alongside this, through organic cooperation with related local organizations, various efforts are being made to create a happy and safe environment for youth.

To this end, in collaboration with the City Office of Education, it carries out various projects such as the academic dropout reflection support project, customized support for school violence victims, Solian peer counseling project for school violence prevention, post-intervention for emotional and behavioral characteristic tests, post-intervention for youth internet and smartphone usage habit surveys, and media rest camps for media overdependence prevention. It also actively conducts delinquency and juvenile crime guidance projects in cooperation with the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency and Family Court.

Cha Eun-seon, director of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Youth Counseling and Welfare Center, said, “Rather than being known as the first nationwide, we will strive to become ‘Dreaming Youth, Moving Community, Together Us’ so that our youth can nurture healthy dreams in a happier world.” She added, “With greater responsibility, we will do everything to support the healthy growth of our local youth.”

Meanwhile, the Gwangju Metropolitan City Youth Counseling and Welfare Center has been recognized for its creative and community-tailored program development and operation, receiving three commendations from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, ranking first nationwide in satisfaction evaluations for youth companion services, five commendations from the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, one commendation from the Minister of Education, as well as awards from the Korea Youth Counseling and Welfare Institute director and the Gwangju Metropolitan City Superintendent of Education, totaling over 20 awards.

Youth and parents seeking counseling can call the Youth Hotline (062-1388) to receive in-depth and professional counseling free of charge 24 hours a day from expert counselors.