Seocho-gu Expands 'Mentoring Program' Alongside 'Financial Support' for Youth Preparing for Independence

'2024 Hope Ladder Project' Officially Launched

2023 'Always on My Side' Mentor Group Launch Ceremony. (Photo by Seocho District Office)

Seocho-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) announced on the 13th that it will implement the ‘2024 Seocho-type Hope Ladder Project,’ which provides the nation’s highest level of economic support along with psychological and emotional care for young adults aged 18 and over preparing for independence this year.

Seocho-gu has been providing economic support separate from government and Seoul city subsidies, including up to 25 million KRW over five years as settlement funds for independence, ▲up to 18 million KRW in living allowance, ▲up to 12 million KRW for university tuition, and ▲up to 4 million KRW for academy fees.

This year, Seocho-gu will strengthen and operate psychological and emotional support programs for young adults preparing for independence who have no adults to rely on around them, alongside economic support.

Since July last year, the ‘Always on My Side’ mentoring program has been piloted, and its support content will be expanded for full-scale operation starting this year. The ‘Always on My Side’ mentoring program creates reliable adults for young people starting to stand on their own from child care facilities and similar environments.

During last year, 13 professionals including doctors and lawyers met regularly at least once a month with the youth, providing support not only for daily life concerns but also for housing, financial, and legal consultations.

Starting this year, Seocho-gu will expand the target group to include prospective young adults preparing for independence from high school age and increase the mentoring activity allowance from 30,000 KRW per quarter for both mentors and mentees to 50,000 KRW, broadening the scope of activities.

In addition, a ‘peer self-help group’ among young adults preparing for independence will be newly established to support hidden talent discovery and hobby activities through various experiential programs such as cooking experiences and free painting. Grandchild-headed households preparing for independence will also be given priority access to various independence support programs at the ‘Seocho Single-Person Household Support Center.’

Meanwhile, Seocho-gu supports independence for those whose protection ended up to five years ago, extending support up to age 29 to eliminate blind spots in protection. Through multifaceted support measures such as ▲1:1 customized independence support professional consulting and ▲the public-private cooperative program ‘Dream HomeCC’ for independent living education and activity support, Seocho-gu is working to strengthen the safety net for young adults preparing for independence.

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “We will do our best to provide warm and delicate support so that young adults preparing for independence can grow feeling that they ‘always have a reliable ally on their side.’”