The Jeju Value Creation Center, part of the Comprehensive Support Center for Disabled Enterprises, announced on August 14 that it purchased 1 million won worth of organic shiitake mushrooms produced by a family business of individuals with developmental disabilities and donated them to vulnerable groups in the region.
The donation was made during the 'Love Shiitake Delivery Ceremony' held the previous day at the Jeju Ara-dong Senior Welfare Housing, where the donated items were handed over to relevant organizations. The shiitake mushrooms were cultivated, harvested, and processed at an intelligent farm supported by the Korea Racing Authority, operated by resident companies of the Jeju Value Creation Center, including Farm Eubada, Mushin Jeju, and Jeju Shiitake.
Kim Jin-seok, the representative of Farm Eubada and an athlete with a disability, expressed, "I felt a great sense of fulfillment knowing that the mushrooms I personally grew are helping someone. I want to continue to grow my business and contribute to society."
The shiitake mushrooms will be distributed to elderly single-person households, basic livelihood recipients, and low-income households with disabilities in Jeju through the Ara Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, Ara-dong Community Center, and the Ara-dong Community Security Council.
Hyun Soo-jin, the director of the Jeju Value Creation Center, stated, "This donation is significant as it shows that individuals with developmental disabilities, who were previously seen only as care recipients, have contributed to society as producers through entrepreneurship." She added, "We will continue to raise awareness about the economic independence of individuals with disabilities and expand social value in collaboration with the community."
The Jeju Value Creation Center supports the economic independence of individuals with developmental disabilities by fostering entrepreneurship among their families. It currently operates in seven regions, including Jeju, Andong in North Gyeongsang Province, Gwangsan District in Gwangju, South Chungcheong Province, Jinju in South Gyeongsang Province, Asan in South Chungcheong Province, and Iksan in North Jeolla Province.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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