Jincheon Youth Training Center: Supporting At-Risk Youth Through the 'Dream Dream' Program
Do you know about the Jincheon Youth Training Center, located between the Jincheon County Library and the Poseok Jo Myung-hee Literary Museum? This is a place that helps young people grow through various activities. It's a valuable space where the youth of Jincheon learn and socialize together through the Youth After-School Academy, the Youth Counseling and Welfare Center, and the Out-of-School Youth Support Center, which I will introduce today.
The Out-of-School Youth Support Center helps young people who are not attending school to continue their learning and growth. Through GED preparation, career exploration, and various self-development programs, it supports young people who have left school to dream again and take on new challenges.
The Jincheon County Out-of-School Youth Support Center is also called 'Kkum Dream' (Dream Dream). 'Kkum Dream' means 'giving dreams.' Like its name, 'Kkum Dream' presents young people with new dreams and hopes, and supports them through various programs and support so that they can find their own path in the world outside of school.
On Thursday, October 23rd, a special event was held at the Jincheon Youth Training Center: the 2025 Jincheon County Out-of-School Youth Support Center Performance Report Meeting. On this day, Kkum Dream friends showcased desserts they learned through this year's self-development program and took time to express their gratitude to the various stakeholders who supported them.
The event was named 'Today, We Serve DREAM.' The name itself was fun and heartwarming. I was invited because of my connection with the Kkum Dream friends from the board game class I participated in during the first half of the year, and I attended with excitement.
The moment I opened the door to the venue, I exclaimed, "Wow!" The Kkum Dream friends prepared the venue themselves. Tea and desserts were neatly placed on a long table, creating an atmosphere like a dessert cafe. Strawberry monaka in the shape of cherry blossoms, savory walnut rice bread, blueberry tart, and sweet chestnut jelly. The colors and shapes were so pretty that it was fun just to look at them. Above all, I was even more touched by the fact that the children made and prepared all of this themselves.
Each of the dishes prepared by the Kkum Dream friends with sincerity conveyed a warm heart. The first thing that caught my eye, as I was a little hungry from missing lunch, was the sandwich. Fresh vegetables, tender meat, and cheese were combined to make a meal in itself. The sweet strawberry ade and refreshing rose vinegar drink that were prepared together were delicious and made me smile. In particular, it was even more meaningful because it was made with ingredients produced in Jincheon County. The refreshments that day were not just food, but a gift containing the Kkum Dream friends' learning time, effort, and gratitude!
While enjoying the refreshments, the performance report meeting began in earnest. The activity results, which included various programs conducted by the Out-of-School Youth Support Center during 2025 and the growth process of the youth, were introduced in order. It was a time to feel how much experience the children had gained with the interest and support of the local community and how they were gradually finding their way. It also made me think again about how important the supportive role of the local community is in helping young people grow.
The last part of the event was a thank-you video prepared by the Kkum Dream youth. The children's shy smiles and sincere greetings filled the venue with a warm atmosphere. It was a touching ending that conveyed the children's sincerity. I want to say to the Kkum Dream friends, "Thank you for serving us so wonderfully! You were so, so amazing, and it was really, really delicious! I will always support your new challenges."
The Jincheon County Out-of-School Youth Support Center 'Kkum Dream' is helping out-of-school youth to take courage once again. I hope that young people who need help can find their way through 'Kkum Dream'.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/jincheongun/224058999055
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