Suwon Saebbit Care Project to Expand to All 44 Dongs from January Next Year

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jeong Junseong] Suwon Special City announced on the 28th that it will expand the 'Suwon Saebbit Care Project,' which has been operating as a pilot program in 8 dongs since July 1st to provide care services to all citizens in need, to all 44 dongs starting January 1st next year.

Suwon Saebbit Care is a 'Suwon-style Integrated Care Project' centered on the village community to discover neighbors in need of care and provide them with essential care services. Residents who are familiar with local conditions, such as Dong Community Security Deliberation Council members, serve as 'Saebbit Caregivers' and discover families in crisis requiring assistance, identify and connect local welfare resources, and provide care services.

Suwon Saebbit Care provides four major care services: home service, companion support, psychological counseling, and temporary shelter protection. Anyone can use the services regardless of income, assets, or age. For households with income at or below 75% of the median income, Dong care planners will visit homes and provide an annual care points allowance of 1 million won per person for care services if deemed necessary. Households exceeding 75% of median income can use care services at their own expense.

In October, a proposal was submitted to the mobile civic participation platform 'Saebbit Talk Talk' requesting that "Suwon Saebbit Care services be provided in dongs other than pilot dongs," and Suwon City conducted a citizen survey through Saebbit Talk Talk. Of 6,670 citizens who participated in the vote, 91.3% (6,093 people) supported 'expansion to all dongs.'

The city reflected citizen opinion by expanding the budget and working to establish regulations, and with the active cooperation of the Suwon City Council, the Suwon Saebbit Care Project has been expanded to all dongs.

Suwon Saebbit Care services can be applied for by phone or visit at the care window of the Dong Administrative Welfare Center, or through the mobile civic participation platform 'Saebbit Talk Talk.'

Meanwhile, the city held the '2023 Community Contribution Awards Ceremony' in the main auditorium of City Hall on the 27th and presented commendations to organizations and citizens with distinguished service, and outstanding members and organizations of the Community Security Deliberation Council.

Commendations from the Suwon Mayor were awarded to a total of 55 people (including organizations, businesses, and groups) for service in city and Dong Community Security Deliberation Councils, outstanding performance in 'Dong Council Operation Evaluation' (6 dongs), outstanding performance in '2023 Comprehensive Evaluation of Home-Visiting Health and Welfare Services' (14 dongs), distinguished service in activating integrated case management, and distinguished service in revitalizing 'Love Sharing Suwon' and spreading a culture of sharing.

Commendations from the Suwon Special City Council Chairman were awarded to 7 individuals and organizations with distinguished service in community development.

Commendations from the private council chairman were awarded to 12 outstanding members of the city council and to 12 outstanding dongs in 'Council Life Four-Cut' (city, district, and dong connection sharing meetings). Additionally, commendation plaques from the private council chairman were presented to individuals (2 people) and organizations (2) with distinguished service in network activation.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun said at the awards ceremony, "The 'Suwon Saebbit Care,' which has been operating as a pilot program in 8 dongs since July, will expand to all 44 dongs starting next January, and I hope that council members will join us," adding that "if council members and citizens are committed to providing support, the Saebbit Care Project will be able to sufficiently fill welfare blind spots."

The Suwon Community Security Deliberation Council, which is marking its 18th anniversary this year, is composed of representative councils, practical councils, dong councils, and practical subcommittees. 198 people are active in 12 practical subcommittees, and 911 people are active in 44 dong councils.