Youth who overcame joblessness and despair share their stories in new contest

A contest is being launched to collect stories from young people who gave up on job hunting but found their footing again, as well as from the frontline workers who helped them along the way.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced Monday it will hold the "Youth Challenge Support Project and Youth Growth Project Best Practices Contest" throughout September, from Tuesday through Sept. 30.

The event was designed to encourage other young people facing similar struggles to take part in government programs, by sharing the experiences of youth who reached a turning point in their lives through public support and of the staff who assisted them on the ground.

Among the programs covered, the Youth Challenge Support Project helps young people who have lost the will to seek work after six or more months of unemployment reenter the job market. The Youth Growth Project provides a range of services — daily life recovery, employment support and mentoring — centered on "youth cafes," open spaces that any young person can use freely.

Anyone who has participated in either program, as well as staff from the organizations that run them, is eligible to enter the contest.

The prize lineup is varied. Winners of the top and excellence awards in each category will receive a commendation from the employment minister, along with prizes ranging from 300,000 won ($218) to a maximum of 1 million won, depending on category and award level.

Ha Chang-yong, the ministry's director general for youth employment policy, said one person's experience of recovery and achievement becomes the strongest source of courage for another young person wrestling with the same doubts. "I hope this contest gives more young people a chance to find hope in others' lives and discover their own limitless potential," he said.