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Hope Care Center
Namyangju City Hall

The Problem

The number of people who depend on government support due to increasing homeless and bankruptcy has steadily increased since the economic crisis in 1997. After implementing the National Basic Living Guarantee Act in 1999, the government budget nearly quadrupled and more than 120 types of welfare services have been introduced during the past 10 years. The government has also expanded function of the welfare system available to the local governments. This resulted in the hiring of a larger number of employees (approx. 20,000) compared to the time shortly after the economic crisis when approximately 3,000 new employees were hired. However, one government employee was responsible for about 200~300 families who were claiming government benefit, thus, the government employees were unable to effective deal with each individual case.

Solution and Key Benefits

 What is the initiative about? (the solution)
The beneficiaries of the Hope Care Center (HCC) in NamYangJu City are residents who are not eligible to receive government assistance. Since 2007, 69,819 local citizens have received help and support from the HCC. The HCC has provided many kinds of welfare services, including the cost for living, nursing, hygiene services , education, counseling, supporting medical services and improving residential areas. The HCC has dealt with over 130,000 cases so far and the number of volunteer assistants is steadily increasing.
Additionally the HCC has initiated a partnership scheme with a local credit card company in order to better support those who need assistance in areas such as child education for low income families, one on one counseling to help those of low self esteem and confidence and assistance in providing temporary accommodation.

Actors and Stakeholders

 Who proposed the solution, who implemented it and who were the stakeholders?
The primary idea behind the HCC was proposed by a regional welfare consultative group and consisted of welfare service experts and local citizens. The proposal was accepted by the NamYangJu city Mayor. The HCC was not the only new initiative, after consultation with experts in social welfare a volunteer service center was established.

(a) Strategies

 Describe how and when the initiative was implemented by answering these questions
 a.      What were the strategies used to implement the initiative? In no more than 500 words, provide a summary of the main objectives and strategies of the initiative, how they were established and by whom.
First of all, combining a health care with a welfare service center to focus on social problems within the area was the first of its kind in the country. The motto is, whenever local citizens want or need services quickly these services can be obtained from 4 regional welfare services centers which have been assigned operation by the social welfare corporation, and 2 service centers which are directly managed by NamYangJu City Hall. In particular, the HCC is not a service which is provided by one administrative organization, but designed to solve social problems via citizen participation. A single donation account was set up to make it easier and more efficient for local citizens to contribute and become involved in welfare services.

(b) Implementation

 b.      What were the key development and implementation steps and the chronology? No more than 500 words
The Hope Care Center was collaboration between local citizens and welfare and health care experts in 2006, The ordinance for Hope Care Center was established and it started operating the HCC in April 2007.

The homepage of the HCC　was created to allow citizens greater access to information on how to get involved in the program. Also and the HCC secured the help of several specialists and professors to improve local knowledge and awareness through and agreement with local colleges in 2008.

The HCC managed beneficiaries systematically and made use of diverse resources in 2009. The HCC also developed an integrated management system which is connected with private welfare service organizations to supply the best service and to prevent citizens from receiving unfair levels of support. Additionally, the HCC developed a donation system that can allows local citizens to contribute. This system has recently been upgraded to a convenient online donation system.

The HCC introduced the Hope Manager in 2010, designed to support looking after one citizen who needs assistant from one volunteer( one on one). Those has become totally 200 partners.

As society continues to diversify, the HCC plans to support culturally related issues, issues of energy production and single fathers in 2011.

(c) Overcoming Obstacles

 c.      What were the main obstacles encountered? How were they overcome? No more than 500 words
Initially, the HCC encountered many problems with regard to budgeting and effective distribution of donations. There was also the issue of local politicians potentially using the HCC as a way of trying garner more electoral votes. However, NamYangJu City Hall has aggressively promoted the HCC through internet web sites, brochures and banners placed in local bus stations and train stations to increase awareness of the HCC, the services that it provides and those eligible to receive benefits. Furthermore, the HCC has tried to support as many people as possible by installing a collect calling system for those who claim benefits.
Prior to the establishment of the HCC, there were only specialized agencies for the elderly or disabled in NamYangJu city but since the HCC opened it has led to greater integration of welfare services and the number of people who have benefited has greatly increased. Local citizens now have more faith in their welfare system.

(d) Use of Resources

 d.      What resources were used for the initiative and what were its key benefits? In no more than 500 words, specify what were the financial, technical and human resources’ costs associated with this initiative. Describe how resources were mobilized
The personal and operation expenses are paid by NamYangJu city hall. Expenses such as, nursing, hygiene services , education, counseling, supporting medical service and improving residential areas for those people who need assistance are paid for by volunteer donations(approx. $3,200,000) based on $4 per monthly contribution per participating volunteer.
In case of lower income than average families (approx. 70), the HCC provides education expenses or economical expenses (approx. $72,000) with money donated by citizen's using a contracted credit card. There are several methods citizens can use to make donation. The HCC is closely connected with Koreas largest internet portal site (Naver) which offers an online donation service. Additionally, donation collection boxes were placed in local businesses such hair salons, educational institutions and movie theaters.

Sustainability and Transferability

  Is the initiative sustainable and transferable?
The HCC has become the benchmark for social welfare service through Korea. The HCC continues to an invaluable amenity for those requiring government aid and/or assistance. Recently, the HCC was responsible for helping a single disabled father with two disabled young sons. The HCC immediately provided medical care and also provided employment counseling for the eldest of his sons.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Frederick Naumann foundation from Germany recently visited the HCC in NamYangJu City. 120 local governments and many organizations have also visited the HCC. In particular, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government has introduced and is operating the 'Endless care Center' which is modeled around the HCC
The minister of health and welfare visited HCC in December this year and reported to President Lee Myung Bak that the HCC is an outstanding example of welfare service and one that should be considered by all local governments.
The HCC plans to increase citizens interest in donating and participating and hopes to improve the networking between experts and local resources as a representative welfare system in Korea.

Lessons Learned

 What are the impact of your initiative and the lessons learned?
The Hope Care Center has created a new, healthy sharing culture in not only material donation but also developing skills and trades such as hairdressing, teaching school subjects and performances through voluntary participation.
The HCC has been a role model of welfare system which provided socially, economically, culturally and rapidly variety convenient services with keeping equal partnership between private and public. As the Hope Care Center has streamlined the welfare system of NamYangJu City, people who claim benefits now have more chance of realizing their dreams and ambitions. "welfare is not just dispensation, but the right". Welfare should be the spirit of loving people and finding right which can give inspire and courage to the world.

Contact Information

Institution Name:   Namyangju City Hall
Institution Type:   Government Agency  
Contact Person:   Ju-Ran Lee
Title:   Local Administration Officer  
Telephone/ Fax:   82-31-590-8853
Institution's / Project's Website:   82-31-590-8679
E-mail:   xyzw2580@korea.kr  
Address:   641, gyeong chunno, namyangju gyeonggi-do, republic of korea
Postal Code:   472-701
City:   Namyangju City
State/Province:   gyeonggi-do
Country:  

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