Hwaseong Community Self-Reliance Center Marks 10th Anniversary

The Hwaseong Community Self-Reliance Center (Director Lee Su-young) held a grand 10th anniversary commemorative event on the 5th at Deoksan Spotel in Bongdam-eup, attended by approximately 200 people including officials from various institutions and self-reliance program participants.

Attendees reflected on the center's 10-year dedication to creating a shared community where members can realize the value of meaningful labor, even amid challenging circumstances, and celebrated this milestone.

The Hwaseong Community Self-Reliance Center operates eight self-reliance business units including cleaning and grain delivery services to support employment for basic living allowance recipients, low-income families, and vulnerable residents in Hwaseong, enabling self-sufficiency and economic independence. Through entrepreneurship initiatives, the center has established four self-reliance enterprises that create jobs collectively.

Additionally, the center provides services to vulnerable groups such as disabled individuals requiring support for daily living activities due to physical or mental limitations, with 220 self-reliance program participants currently working toward self-sufficiency and independence.

The event proceeded with a video report on the past 10 years and a chorus performance by program participants, followed by congratulatory remarks from the Hwaseong Mayor, the Hwaseong City Council Speaker, and commendations from National Assembly members.

Hwaseong Mayor Chae In-seok stated in his remarks, "Employment and welfare are sectors directly connected to the people's lives, and Hwaseong City will continue to actively support the self-sufficiency of working low-income families and encourage transitions off the welfare system."

The Hwaseong Community Self-Reliance Center was selected as an outstanding national community self-reliance center for two consecutive years in 2011 and 2012 in the Ministry of Health and Welfare's nationwide self-reliance center evaluation and received commendations.

Following the commemorative ceremony, a performance by the Hwaseong Symphony Orchestra was held to raise funds for the Hwaseong Community Self-Reliance Center's mutual aid cooperative.