Opening a Hopeful Humanities Lecture for Homeless People

Seocho-gu to Hold Humanities Lecture for Homeless People at Express Bus Terminal Station Plaza from 8 PM on the 12th

Professional Lecturer’s Humanities Lecture, Psychological Counseling through Drawing, Distribution of Daily Necessities and Lunch Boxes

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, “We will do our best to support homeless people in regaining confidence in life along with physical and mental health”

Seocho-gu (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) will hold a ‘Visiting Hope Humanities Lecture’ for homeless people at the Express Bus Terminal Station plaza in Banpo-dong from 8 PM on the 12th.

The ‘Visiting Hope Humanities Lecture’ is designed to help homeless people regain confidence in their ‘precious self’ through humanities and provide psychological support to lay the foundation for ending homelessness.

This approximately one-hour lecture will cover the themes of ‘Understanding One’s Emotions’ and ‘Finding the Best Places in My Life,’ featuring a humanities lecture by instructor Park Kyung-hwa (President of the Korea Art Psychological Counseling Association) along with psychological counseling through ‘expressive drawing.’

On the same day, essential daily necessities such as toiletries and underwear, as well as warm lunch boxes for a delicious meal, will be provided to the homeless.

Since 2021, the district has formed a dedicated street counseling team for homeless people to ensure no blind spots in homeless management. The team, consisting of two groups with four members, regularly patrols homeless-dense areas such as the Express Bus Terminal and Gyodae Station, providing various services including ▲homeless counseling and health checks ▲guidance for admission to shelters ▲emergency hospital transport support for homeless people in crisis ▲distribution of relief supplies to protect homeless people and assist their social reintegration.

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “We will continue to do our best to support homeless people in regaining confidence in life along with physical and mental health.”

Gangdong-gu Saves At-Risk Households through Proactive Administration and Provides Thorough Follow-up Care

Detailed Welfare Monitoring, Welfare Administration Approaching from Residents’ Perspective

Saving At-Risk Households through Proactive Administration and Managing Welfare Blind Spots

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Soo-hee) announced on the 12th that it is taking the lead in walking with the vulnerable through proactive administration.

Choi, a resident of Gangdong-gu living in seclusion due to depression and social phobia, is a basic livelihood security recipient and a cohabiting household regularly managed by the district office and the local community service center.

Recently, the Seongnae 3-dong Community Service Center confirmed that Choi’s cirrhosis symptoms had worsened and strengthened monitoring. When contact was lost, recognizing the urgency of the situation, the center immediately visited Choi’s home. To rescue Choi, who was in a critical condition without even the strength to open the door, the community service center staff boldly opened the door and, with the help of the 119 rescue team, transported Choi to the hospital.

Furthermore, since Choi had no guardian, the district office case manager, mental health welfare center, and comprehensive social welfare center established a cooperative system, held case meetings, and decided to provide comprehensive follow-up care to ensure Choi’s healthy social settlement after hospital treatment.

First, after hospital treatment, Choi was transferred to a nursing hospital and is recovering with the help of health care workers. With Choi’s consent, the Gangdong-gu Disabled Persons’ Association was linked to the ‘Low-Income Housing Environment Improvement Project’ to conduct home cleaning for Choi’s house, which was filled with trash and waste due to long-term seclusion.

In addition, considering Choi’s difficult financial situation, the district linked Choi to Seoul-type emergency welfare, resolved overdue electricity bills, and partially supported overdue rent, striving to provide follow-up care so that Choi can live without difficulties after discharge.

Seo, who suffers from severe intellectual disability, was also able to receive welfare benefits thanks to Gangdong-gu’s proactive administration. Seo, who lives with elderly parents, faced difficulties managing the household as the father was a dementia patient and the mother was also disabled.

However, Seo was rated ‘outside the grade’ in the comprehensive assessment for the Disabled Activity Support Service and was not receiving proper support. The community service center took direct action by accompanying Seo to hospital treatments and managing medication intake, providing meticulous support. When Seo’s father passed away, the community service center actively assisted with hospital accompaniment and funeral procedures, and continues to strive to help with overall follow-up issues such as housing.

Oh Hyun-mi, head of Seongnae 3-dong, said, “Welfare begins with understanding the other person’s position,” adding, “We will do our best to monitor closely and identify what residents in blind spots without guardians or who cannot ask for help themselves need.”

Seongbuk-gu Dementia Safety Center Collaborates with Visiting Nurses from Community Service Centers to Operate Dementia Prevention Complex Program

‘Happy Balance’ Dementia Prevention Cognitive and Health Enhancement Complex Program Operating from March 28

Cognitive Training and Chronic Disease Health Management Focused on Dementia Prevention

Strengthening Educational Expertise through Collaboration with Visiting Nurses

Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) has been operating the cognitive and health enhancement complex program ‘Happy Balance’ since February 28 to promote dementia prevention and health improvement among local residents.

The ‘Happy Balance’ program provides dementia prevention-focused cognitive training and chronic disease health management education to residents, aiming to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and support effective dementia prevention.

It also aims to motivate dementia prevention through systematic management and create an environment where residents can manage their own health, thereby improving quality of life.

Seongbuk-gu Dementia Relief Center is conducting the 'Happy Balance' program at Seokgwan-dong Community Service Center for residents of Seongbuk-gu.

The program runs until October this year and includes ▲Dementia Awareness Education ▲Cognitive Training (Monthly Seongbuk Punch) ▲Nutrition Education ▲Chronic Disease Health Management through Health Notebook Writing (blood pressure and blood sugar checks) and Meal Diary Management ▲Chronic Disease Prevention Exercises, operating once a week (1 hour per session) for a total of 8 sessions. It will be held at six community service centers and four senior centers within Seongbuk-gu.

Participants are Seongbuk-gu residents aged 65 or older and can apply through their local community service centers.

Notably, this program is linked with the ‘Visiting Nurse’ project operated by Seongbuk-gu community service centers to enhance professionalism. Staff from the Seongbuk-gu Dementia Safety Center and visiting nurses from 10 administrative neighborhoods collaborate to lead the program, conducting pre- and post-evaluations and performance assessments.

Jeon Hong-jun, director of the Seongbuk-gu Dementia Safety Center (Professor of Psychiatry at Konkuk University Hospital), said, “By providing cognitive training and chronic disease health management together, we aim to create an environment where local residents can independently prevent dementia and manage their health,” adding, “We will continue to raise awareness of the importance of consistent health management through various dementia prevention programs and establish a counseling system related to dementia and health.”

Seongbuk-gu Dementia Safety Center, the first of its kind nationwide, offers various programs to help improve the health of local seniors and residents, including dementia prevention education and awareness campaigns, operation of dementia-safe villages, early dementia screening, support for dementia treatment and diagnostic testing costs, wandering prevention services, provision of care supplies, and cognitive program operations.