Gwangju Seo-gu Holds Education Program to Raise Awareness on Family Care Youth

Theme: "Invisible Youth"

On July 2, Seo-gu District in Gwangju conducted an educational program at Deulbul Hall in the Seo-gu Office for social welfare institution and facility workers, aiming to raise awareness about family care youth.

According to Seo-gu, this education session, held under the theme of "Invisible Youth," was organized to highlight the burdens of family care and social isolation faced by young people, and to establish a system for early identification and support of family care youth and isolated recluse youth.

Kim Ikang, head of Gwangju Seo-gu Office, is taking a commemorative photo with participants at the 'Family Care Youth and Isolated Recluse Youth Understanding Education' held on the 2nd at Deulbul Hall in Seo-gu Office. Provided by Gwangju Seo-gu Office

In particular, the event included an explanation of Seo-gu’s family care youth support project, which is being implemented through public-private cooperation, as well as an introduction to the family care youth allowance support program, which was the first of its kind among local governments nationwide.

Additionally, Yoo Seungkyu, CEO of Anmuseounhoesa, who gained attention for his appearance on the educational program "Sebasi (15 Minutes to Change the World)," participated as a lecturer. He shared his own experiences with isolation and reclusion under the theme "Can Experiences of Isolation and Reclusion Become a Credential?" and broadened consensus on the issue of youth isolation. The event was attended by about 130 people, including social welfare institution and facility workers, residents participating in neighbor care groups, and district office welfare officials.

Kim Ikang, head of Seo-gu Office, stated, "The burdens of family care and social isolation among young people are emerging as new blind spots in the welfare system," adding, "We will use this educational opportunity to raise awareness among local social welfare stakeholders and further strengthen the system for early identification and support of invisible youth."

Meanwhile, since January last year, Seo-gu has been providing annual support of 3 million won to adolescents and young adults (aged 9 to 39) who care for family members with illnesses or disabilities and are unable to work, through the "Family Care Youth Support Project." This project has been recognized for contributing to the enactment of the "Act on Support for Children and Youth in Crisis, Including Family Care," after being included as a key initiative by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.