Living in an 8-pyeong New Studio, 3-Minute Walk to Center for Employment Training... Visiting Samsung Didimdol Center

Opening Ceremony of Samsung Hope Didimdol Daejeon Center
Residential 'Experience Room' for Independent Youth Tenants
Employment Preparation Center Within 3 Minutes Walk

The newly built 8-pyeong studio apartment features a bedroom with a city view, two washing machines, one refrigerator, kitchen utensils, a sofa, and a television. A center hosting employment support programs with mentoring from Samsung employees is located just a 3-minute walk away. Residents live here for two years to prepare for employment and financial independence.

Samsung Hope Didimdol Daejeon Center 'The U (The:U)' Experience Room. It is an 8-pyeong newly built studio apartment that serves as a living space for resident youth preparing for independence.
[Photo by Moon Chaeseok]

This is the experience room of the Samsung Hope Stepping Stone Daejeon Center 'The U (The:U)' located on Jungang-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon, which opened on the 23rd. Young adults preparing for independence who are eligible for Hope Stepping Stone support in Daejeon now have a comfortable environment where they can focus solely on job preparation.

The space opened to the press that day included the public library on the 3rd floor of The U building and Experience Room 3 on the 6th floor (a studio apartment for young adults preparing for independence). The public library was equipped with hundreds of books, beverages, a microwave, a lounge, and counseling rooms. On the chalkboard were messages written by the young adults such as "Congratulations on moving in" and "Let's successfully become independent."

Samsung Hope Didimdol Daejeon Center 'The U (The:U)' Experience Room. It is a newly built 8-pyeong studio equipped with a sofa, kitchen, and bedroom.
[Photo by Moon Chaeseok]

The Daejeon Center is equipped with 14 independent living rooms, 4 experience rooms, and spaces for educational activities. Experience Room 3, which was open to the press that day, was an 8-pyeong partitioned studio apartment. Although it was a newly constructed building, there was no "new building" smell. The interior was composed of beige warm-toned walls and navy furniture. It was furnished with a sofa, kitchen, cooking utensils, washing machine, refrigerator, and sofa.

Even considering that housing prices in Daejeon are lower than in Seoul, the environment was comparable to that of a reasonably high-quality new studio apartment. Above all, the surroundings were quiet, and cafes and convenience stores were nearby, creating an environment where young adults could properly prepare for employment while commuting between the center and their homes.

Samsung Hope Didimdol Daejeon Center 'The U (The:U)' public library. It also includes counseling rooms and lounges.
[Photo by Moon Chaeseok]

Samsung emphasized that it does not select specific young adults preparing for independence but operates a system managed by the Daejeon Metropolitan Child Welfare Association, the operating organization, where anyone can apply. This means there is no special exam or screening process to select individuals.

According to Samsung, support can be provided for five years from the age of protection expiration (ages 15 to 18). Once selected, support is provided for two years. Youth whose protection period has ended at ages 15 to 18 can stay in the independent experience rooms for a few days to experience independent living in advance. The operation of the Daejeon Center is managed by the Daejeon Metropolitan Child Welfare Association.

Seunghee Park, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Samsung Electronics, said, "What young adults preparing for independence need is a safe haven and a mentor who listens to their concerns and helps find a career and job that suit their aptitude, like a family member. This is exactly the role of our society and Hope Stepping Stone."