GM Hanmaeum Foundation awards scholarships, mentoring to youth aging out of care

GM Hanmaeum Foundation Korea held a scholarship certificate ceremony Tuesday at the General Motors Korea promotional center in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, presenting certificates to four youth aging out of the care system under its "Kkumteul" (Dream Framework) scholarship and mentoring program.

Including this round of certificates, the foundation plans to provide a total of 20 million won ($13,600) in support this year to help the young recipients build stable futures as they transition to independent living.

The ceremony also served as a progress report session, featuring a review of scholarship and mentoring outcomes to date. GM Korea President Hector Villarreal, GM employees, and representatives from Save the Children's Gyeong-in regional office, the Bupyeong-gu Multicultural Family Support Center and Happy Home Childcare Center attended to encourage the youth.

"The Kkumteul scholarship program and initiatives such as our science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics career-exploration experiences are designed to help young people build practical skills and confidence as they prepare for independent life," Villarreal said. "We will continue to provide diverse learning opportunities so that these youth never lose their sense of self-worth and hope, and can keep pursuing their dreams."

Kim Seong-a, head of Save the Children's Gyeong-in regional office, said youth aging out of the care system can easily become discouraged in the early stages of career development due to a lack of information and financial constraints. "We hope this scholarship and mentoring support will boost their confidence and help them take charge of designing their own futures," she said.

In addition, the foundation ran a STEAM education program at Buwon Middle School in Incheon on July 22 in conjunction with its youth talent support project and IAC, a voluntary GM employee group. The program aims to provide a more inclusive learning experience by inviting students from immigrant-background and low-income households.

Employees introduced GM's advanced hands-free driver-assistance system, Super Cruise, and explained how sensors and control modules in a real vehicle function like components in a model car kit. Students assembled and operated the car kits themselves, experiencing firsthand the basic principles behind autonomous driving technology.

Meanwhile, the foundation continues to carry out a range of community service activities, including a window-screen installation volunteer project conducted with GM employees in May to improve summer living conditions for low-income households in the Incheon area.