From '1313 Neighbor Care' to Jobs... Gwangsan-gu in Gwangju Expands Caregiving

Twelve Residents Hired to Serve as Community Caregivers

Activities Based at Six Village Sympathy Centers

Community care activities, which have relied on voluntary service from residents, are now being transitioned into public jobs. Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, has launched a pilot project that combines a resident care system to prevent social isolation with employment opportunities.

On June 21, Gwangsan-gu announced that it has officially begun operating the 'Village Empathy Center,' the activity base for the '1313 Village Care Supporters,' following its opening ceremony held recently at the Songjeong Danuri Center.

The 1313 Village Care Supporter project is part of a sustainable job pilot initiative aimed at establishing a locally-driven employment model. It is the first case of expanding the previously volunteer-based '1313 Neighborly Care' activities into a formal job structure.

Attendees are taking a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony of the '1313 Village Care Supporter Village Empathy Center' held on the 19th at Songjeong Danuri Center in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. Provided by Gwangsan-gu

Gwangsan-gu has hired 12 residents with prior experience in community activities to serve as supporters. After completing a training program, these supporters were assigned in pairs to six Village Empathy Centers: Songjeong 1-dong Songjeong Danuri Center, Dosan-dong Deullaknallak, Wolgok 2-dong Goryeoin Village Resident Tourism Office, Suwan-dong Humansia 2nd Complex Small Library, Sinchang-dong Yangnim Jeja Church, and Bonryang-dong Community Center.

The Village Empathy Centers serve as spaces where residents can gather, interact, and check in on each other. Supporters operate community programs at these hubs and are tasked with identifying and assisting residents at risk of social isolation. They also play a role in encouraging resident participation and fostering relationships among neighbors.

Through this project, Gwangsan-gu aims to strengthen a resident-led care network to prevent social isolation and solitary deaths. Based on the pilot operation results, the district will evaluate the sustainability of the community job model and seek to expand the initiative.

Byungkyu Park, Mayor of Gwangsan-gu, stated, "The 1313 Neighborly Care initiative, which has reduced the risk of social isolation and disconnection, has now launched as a new job model in combination with a sustainable employment project. We will support the expansion of community hubs that create villages without isolation and enhance the role of community jobs that look after neighbors in need."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.