Ansan Mayor Im Min-keun emphasized on August 21 that "the issues of isolation and loneliness are not just individual misfortunes but challenges that the community must tackle together."
The mayor introduced a new welfare model aimed at preventing social isolation and loneliness by identifying at-risk households and supporting the restoration of social relationships within the community.
On that day, he opened the 'Our Neighborhood Daon Convenience Store,' which serves as a community hub to prevent isolation among single-person households and support relationship rebuilding.
The 'Our Neighborhood Daon Convenience Store' goes beyond one-time item support, providing urgent livelihood assistance, connecting to welfare services, and offering a space for rest, communication, and community activities.
In particular, a non-face-to-face kiosk was established to assist citizens who may feel burdened by explaining their difficulties or visiting welfare agencies.
This setup aims to reduce the psychological burden of in-person consultations, allowing citizens easier access to necessary welfare information and support services.
The space also features a 'Just Dream' corner.
This area provides essential items to citizens in need of food and daily necessities, helping to alleviate immediate living crises and subsequently connecting them to the relaxation, communication, and community programs offered at the Daon Convenience Store.
To achieve this, the mayor plans to address the limitations of the existing welfare system, which requires individuals to apply for assistance, by creating a proactive welfare system that identifies isolation risks early and connects citizens to necessary services.
Importantly, this initiative aims not only to resolve economic difficulties but also to support the restoration of social networks, distinguishing it from existing emergency welfare programs.
By facilitating food support, the strategy encourages citizens visiting the space to relax, participate in programs, and form relationships, thereby transforming one-time assistance into a sustainable social safety net.
This aligns with the mayor's ongoing policy direction to enhance citizen-centered welfare and strengthen the social safety net.
One citizen remarked, "Loneliness should not be viewed solely as an individual issue; it is a problem that neighbors and the community must pay attention to," adding, "I hope this space fosters an atmosphere where we look out for our struggling neighbors."
Another citizen stated, "It is important that we do not stop at one-time item support but create opportunities for people to naturally interact and build relationships. I hope the Daon Convenience Store becomes a starting point for those living alone to reconnect with the world."
Mayor Im Min-keun plans to strengthen a proactive welfare system that identifies crisis signals close to citizens' daily lives, rather than waiting for those in welfare blind spots to seek help.
Meanwhile, Mayor Im expressed his hope that the 'Our Neighborhood Daon Convenience Store' will become a warm space where any citizen can visit without hesitation to rest and receive assistance.
He emphasized, "By lowering the barriers to welfare through non-face-to-face kiosks, we will closely connect emergency livelihood support with the formation of social networks, creating a safety net in Ansan that ensures no citizen is left behind."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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