Season 2 of the 'Gachi:Seogi Project,' in partnership with the Korean Red Cross Seoul Branch, launches with a 10 million won ($6,500) budget — offering essential goods kits, meal deliveries and, new this year, up to 1 million won in self-development grants
Gwanak-gu is rolling out Season 2 of its "Gachi:Seogi Project — It's OK, Because We're Together" program to help youth aging out of foster care build stable independent lives.
As of late May, 128 such youth live in Gwanak-gu — the highest count of any autonomous district in Seoul. In response, the district has partnered with the Korean Red Cross Seoul Branch since 2025 to ease the financial burden of early independence, provide emotional support and help participants build social networks that connect them to the broader community.
Under the arrangement, the district handles overall planning, outreach and participant recruitment, while the Korean Red Cross Seoul Branch contributes a total budget of 10 million won ($6,500) and directly operates the individual programs — a division of roles designed to maximize impact.
This year's initiative comprises three sub-programs tailored to help young people settle stably into society. The district has been recruiting participants through direct outreach and running the programs since June.
The first, a customized essentials kit program, provides 20 participants with personal care, health and daily necessities kits valued at 150,000 won per person.
A meal-delivery program continues for youth who need emotional support. Volunteers from the Korean Red Cross Seoul Branch make in-home visits to five participants seeking to build closer bonds, delivering ready-to-eat meals worth a combined 400,000 won across four visits, along with warm encouragement.
Particularly noteworthy is the newly introduced "Red Step" self-development grant program. It covers direct and indirect costs — including hagwon tuition and study materials — for certificate programs and job preparation. The district will select five participants and provide up to 1 million won each to help them build a firmer foundation for independence.
"I extend my deepest gratitude to the Korean Red Cross Seoul Branch and its volunteers for again lending a warm hand to youth preparing for independence, as they did last year," district mayor Park Jun-hee said. "I hope this project helps these young people stand on their own feet and build a strong social network, and we will continue to do our utmost to support their bright futures."
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