| Title | Cheongju Enhances Policies for Youth Dreams, Hope, and Self-reliance |
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| Writer | Cheongju |
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Cheongju enhances policies for youth dreams, hope, and self-reliance
- Expansion of youth training facilities and diverse policies for supporting at-risk out-of-school youth - Cheongju announced on the February 27 that it will intensify its youth support policies in 2024 to enable young people to nurture their dreams and hopes and achieve healthy self-reliance. The city has allocated a budget of KRW 5.8 billion for "Youth Happiness and Healthy Growth," and plans to focus on three main tasks: expanding training facilities that can cultivate the dreams and hopes of the youth, launching the Hopeful Project for at-risk youth, and supporting the self-reliance of out-of-school youth. ▶Expanding training facilities that can cultivate the dreams and hopes of the youth Cheongju has announced plans to establish a total of six youth training facilities by 2028, adding two more to the existing four. These facilities are designed as spaces where young people can grow their dreams and hopes through self-governance, cultural activities, club participation, and learning, as well as practicing involvement and sharing. Currently, Cheongju operates youth training facilities in Sangdang-gu (Cheongju Youth Training Center and Sangdang Youth Culture House), Heungdeok-gu (Cheongju Youth Training Hall), and Cheongwon-gu (Cheongwon Youth Culture House). To ensure balanced regional access to youth training facilities, a new facility will be established in Seonghwa-dong, Seowon-gu, at site number 627. With a budget of KRW 8.296 billion (national funds: KRW 600 million, provincial funds: KRW 2.978 billion, city funds: KRW 4.718 billion), the construction will yield a two-story building with a total floor area of 1,377 m2, which is scheduled to be completed by May 2024. Plans are also underway to set up a Youth Culture House in Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gu, where the youth population is the highest. This project, which is expected to cost around KRW 6.5 billion, will commence site evaluation and necessary preliminary steps in 2024, with construction scheduled to be completed by 2028. Additionally, to accommodate more young individuals, the Sangdang Youth Culture House currently located in Sudong, Sangdang-gu, will be relocated and rebuilt in Geumcheon-dong. The project, costing a total of KRW 6.5 billion (provincial funds: KRW 5.2 billion, city funds: KRW 1.3 billion), is scheduled for completion of detailed design in 2024 and completion of construction in 2026. ▶Launching the Hopeful Project for at-risk youth To assist young individuals grappling with mental difficulties, Cheongju will implement the Hopeful Project for at-risk youth. The initiative kicks off with the Cheongju Youth Mental Trauma Recovery Support Project. This program is designed to help young people affected by various incidents or accidents to overcome mental problems and promote healthy growth. Beginning in March, research services will begin to survey the current situation and establish a support plan. Based on these findings, a Comprehensive Plan for Supporting Youth Overcoming Mental Trauma will be developed. By 2025, following this comprehensive plan, counseling and educational services will be provided, along with financial support for necessary treatment costs. Starting in March, Cheongju introduces "Naneoyu," a Metaverse youth counseling center, offering services such as counseling, education, psychological testing, and agency referrals for at-risk youth and their guardians. The anonymity provided in this virtual counseling space is designed to encourage even reclusive youths to participate without feeling burdened. In addition, to prevent impulsive behaviors such as suicide among at-risk youth and their families, the city will operate focused individual counseling clinics and plans to expand parent education and family communication programs to strengthen relationship building. The parent education program will encompass nine courses, including training on the role of parents through understanding children and emotional coaching, and a family photo therapy program for parents of reclusive children. ▶Strengthen support for the healthy self-reliance of out-of-school youth Cheongju is committed to providing customized education and welfare services to out-of-school youth to support their healthy self-reliance. Cheongju operates three youth shelters to quickly rescue and locate youth who have left their homes, provide them with temporary protection and support in counseling, housing, education, and self-reliance. In addition, two Support Centers for Out-of-School Youth are in place to aid in academic recovery and enhance self-reliance skills. At the Support Center for Out-of-School Youth, assistance is provided in nine areas including initial counseling and individual needs assessment, support for preparation for the qualification exam or alternative school admission, and job experience and employment support. This year, with a special focus on the self-reliance and emotional stability of out-of-school youth, Cheongju plans to establish youth co-working spaces and run various projects such as a youth internship program (vocational training) and coding education specifically designed for out-of-school youth. Additionally, a series of programs supporting a wide range of activities will be organized throughout the year, including martial arts cultural exchange competitions among youths from Korea, China, and Japan, youth international exchange projects, and nurturing competitions to cultivate the dreams of young individuals. A city official of Cheongju said, "This year, through our strengthened youth policies, we will actively support not only the general youth but also at-risk youth, reclusive youth, and out-of-school youth to achieve healthy self-reliance. We will make even greater efforts to ensure that young people can grow into healthy members of a safe society and to create an environment where they can experience happiness." |
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| 이전글 | Cheongju Launches the 2024 Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Initiative |
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| 다음글 | 2024 Cheongju Urban Agriculture Festival Will be Held on May 3–6 |