First case of city's co-prosperity youth employment model — linking youth independence support, civic rest space and local product promotion
Daejeon's ninth directly elected city administration has unveiled its public youth self-reliance employment model, which uses public facilities to provide jobs for young people.
The city held an opening ceremony Tuesday for Daon Cafe, operated by a youth self-reliance project team, on the first floor of the community center at Gapcheong Eco Lake Park.
About 300 people attended the ceremony, including Daejeon Mayor Heo Tae-jeong, Seo-gu District Chief Jeon Mun-hak, city and district lawmakers, self-reliance project officials and residents, all gathering to celebrate the young participants' fresh start.
Built within a public facility, Daon Cafe aims to give young people a stable foundation for independence while offering residents a new place to relax.
Nine participants in the Seo-gu Community Self-Reliance Center's youth program run the cafe themselves. The youth self-reliance project supports economically struggling young people in building independent lives; participants handle all aspects of cafe operations — customer service, beverage preparation and store management — gaining hands-on experience and developing skills for employment or entrepreneurship.
The cafe sells coffee and desserts alongside locally distinctive teas reflecting Daejeon's history and culture, including "Songsiyeol Tea," "Magnolia Tea" and "Citizen Health Tea," as well as a range of local souvenir products. Through these offerings, the cafe plans to introduce residents and tourists to products unique to Daejeon and serve as a hub for promoting the city's brand.
The opening ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting and commemorative photos, after which Mayor Heo and Seo-gu District Chief Jeon took part in a barista demonstration. Attendees sampled coffee and desserts as they cheered on the young participants' new beginning.
Daejeon plans to build on the opening of Daon Cafe by continuing to expand a community co-prosperity model that links youth independence support, job creation, public facility use and local product promotion.
"Daon Cafe will be a workplace where young people nurture their hopes and a space where residents can rest and connect," Mayor Heo said. "We will keep expanding quality jobs so that young people can grow their dreams and achieve stable independence on their own."
He added that he hopes residents' spending will create a virtuous cycle supporting young people's stable independence. "We will elevate the city's brand by linking Daejeon's distinctive local content and products, and build a foundation where young people and residents grow together," he said.
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
