Incheon Youth Future Center Established... Dedicated Support for Youth Caring for Family or Experiencing Isolation and Withdrawal

Incheon City announced on the 19th that it will establish a provisional 'Youth Future Center' to support young people who care for their families or are socially isolated.

The city was selected for the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 'Pilot Project for Vulnerable Youth' and secured 850 million KRW in national funding. The pilot project period is two years until December 2025, after which it will transition to a full-scale project.

This project targets young people who care for their families and those who are isolated or reclusive, emerging as new welfare blind spots. A dedicated institution will be established to identify young people in need and provide tailored services.

The Incheon Social Service Agency, entrusted by Incheon City to operate the project, will open the Youth Future Center on the 10th floor of the IT Tower in Michuhol-gu. With a staff of 21, it will offer one-stop counseling, connect government services, and provide customized programs for family caregivers and isolated or reclusive youth.

Family caregiving youth will receive up to 2 million KRW annually as self-care expenses, and daily care services will be linked for the family members they care for. Additionally, self-help groups for family caregiving youth will be supported, and caregiving education for care recipients will be provided.

For isolated and reclusive youth, an online self-diagnosis and help request window will be established for early detection, along with mental health counseling and tailored programs.

An official from Incheon City stated, "We will build a system to provide various supports for vulnerable youth who have been in welfare blind spots until now."