Gwangju Nam-gu, Two Youth Support Centers Playing Key Roles as Sponsors

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The Gwangju Metropolitan City Nam-gu Youth Counseling Welfare Center and the Out-of-School Support Center have been playing a strong supporter role for at-risk youth experiencing growing pains, according to recent data.

On the 31st, Nam-gu reported that the two centers provide various services aimed at supporting the healthy growth of local youth.

In particular, they actively address problem-solving by offering services such as counseling, job experience, and employment support to at-risk youth who need care, attention, and protection, helping them overcome confusing times through self-development.

First, the Youth Counseling Welfare Center provided a total of 641 counseling services during the first half of this year, from January to the end of June.

Especially, to ensure that at-risk youth can receive counseling immediately regardless of time and place, the center operates the ‘1388 Youth Hotline,’ through which 116 counseling sessions were conducted via call service, enabling prompt intervention for problem resolution.

Additionally, to support the emotional stability and problem-solving of youth regarding academic performance, peer relationships, and romantic issues, the center conducted 466 individual counseling sessions, 12 group counseling sessions, and 47 cyber counseling sessions.

For some students who had stopped their studies due to anxiety about exam results, a learning ability enhancement program was provided to help them find efficient study methods suited to themselves, resulting in cases where they returned to school.

The Out-of-School Support Center has been actively providing counseling and support for youth who have discontinued their studies, achieving meaningful results.

There are approximately 450 out-of-school youth in the district, including 294 high school students, 50 middle school students, and 106 elementary school students. These youth received a total of 1,129 counseling services, and 1,001 support services including online equivalency exam classes, job experience, economic education, and social skills training.

Among them, 20 out-of-school youth are continuing their studies through online equivalency exam classes and internet lecture support.

A Nam-gu official stated, “We will continue to provide professional support services tailored to the needs of at-risk youth and those living outside the school environment to help them grow healthily. We will also actively intervene in youth issues within the district to ensure efficient support.”