Hyundai Engineering Opens 'Hope Cafe 4th Branch' for Jobs for People with Disabilities

Established a total of 4 locations including Yangcheon-gu and Huimang Ilgumteo... Providing job support for disabled people facing employment difficulties
Systematic barista training offered through the disability vocational rehabilitation facility 'Huimang Ilgumteo'
Social contribution activities supporting economic independence for marginalized groups through public-private cooperation

Eom Hong-seok, Head of Communications at Hyundai Engineering (first from the right), Kim Soo-young, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu (second from the right), and Han Sang-myeong, Team Leader of Hope Ilgumteo (first from the left), are posing for a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony of 'Hope Cafe Branch 4' held at the Yangcheon-gu Lifelong Learning Center on the 25th. / Photo by Hyundai Engineering.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kangwook Cho] Hyundai Engineering announced on the 26th that it has opened the 4th branch of the 'Hope Cafe' as part of creating jobs for people with disabilities and has begun full-scale operations.

The 'Hope Cafe 4th Branch Opening Ceremony' held on the 25th at the 'Yangcheon-gu Lifelong Learning Center' in Sinjeong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, was attended by Kim Soo-young, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, Lee Yong-seon, Member of the National Assembly, and Eom Hong-seok, Head of Communications at Hyundai Engineering, among other officials.

Since 2017, Hyundai Engineering has signed a joint agreement with Yangcheon-gu and Hope Ilgumteo to support job creation projects for people with disabilities, providing employment opportunities to those with difficulties finding jobs and supporting their economic independence. Including the newly opened 4th branch, a total of four Hope Cafes have been established in Yangcheon-gu, each employing people with disabilities and young managers, contributing to job creation.

Hope Cafe is the result of systematic and close cooperation among three institutions: private companies, local governments, and vocational rehabilitation facilities for people with disabilities. Hyundai Engineering supports facilities and interior design, Yangcheon-gu Office provides the operating locations, and Hope Ilgumteo supports the training of disabled baristas and operational management.

Additionally, Hyundai Engineering continuously monitors the operational status to ensure that jobs for people with disabilities are maintained after the opening of Hope Cafe. Hope Ilgumteo, a vocational rehabilitation facility for people with severe disabilities supported by Hyundai Engineering since 2010, has operated a separate cafe for barista training since 2017, nurturing disabled baristas. Those trained here are employed at Hope Cafe, creating a virtuous cycle model for job creation for people with disabilities.

A Hyundai Engineering official stated, "Hope Cafe is a social contribution program that goes beyond simple support to create jobs based on public-private cooperation, supporting the economic independence of people with disabilities." He added, "We will continue to focus on creating social value by preparing various social contribution programs that provide practical help to marginalized groups."