Utilizing Unused Spaces Within Apartment Complexes...
Addressing Gaps in Childcare Services
Mayor Lee: "Creating Care Spaces in Various Locations"
The 23rd "Dahamtogether Care Center" in Yongin has opened in the Jinsan Village Seongwon Sangteville apartment complex, located in Sanghyeon-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
At the opening ceremony of the 23rd "Dahamtogether Care Center" held on the 21st at Jinsan Village Seongwon Sangteville in Sanghyeon-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin, Mayor Lee Sangil of Yongin is celebrating the opening with residents. Photo by Yongin City
This Dahamtogether Care Center was established by utilizing unused space within the apartment complex. With the consent of a majority of residents, the existing residents' representative office was relocated to the basement, and a 113-square-meter area was remodeled for the center.
The Dahamtogether Care Center serves as a local hub to address the after-school and vacation care gaps for elementary school students. The newly opened center can accommodate up to 34 children. The center director and four care teachers are stationed on-site, operating from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. during the school term and from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during school vacations. The center offers a variety of services, including regular and temporary care, meal and snack support, and program activities. The Yongin Christian Youth Association (Yongin YMCA) is responsible for its operation.
Since launching the first center in 2019, the city has established and operated a total of 23 Dahamtogether Care Centers to date, and plans to open four more in Mohyeon-eup and Bojeong-dong within the year.
Lee Sangil, Mayor of Yongin, stated, "This 23rd center is a meaningful space, as it presents a model for community-based care made possible by residents' voluntary provision of space. Going forward, we will actively pursue the creation of care spaces not only in public facilities, but also in apartment complexes, village halls, and various other locations."
Meanwhile, Yongin City was the first to be certified as a UNICEF Child-Friendly City in 2020, and obtained a higher-level certification in 2024. The city is also implementing a range of daily life-oriented childcare policies, such as a free toy delivery service for children and neighborhood childcare centers.
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