Samsung project helps young adults achieve independence

Participants pose during the opening ceremony of Samsung Stepping Stone of Hope program's North Chungcheong Province center in the provincial capital of Cheongju, Nov. 26, 2024. From left are Community Chest of Korea Chairman Kim Byung-joon, Samsung Electronics President Park Seung-hee and North Chungcheong Province Gov. Kim Young-hwan. Courtesy of Samsung

Samsung Group is expanding its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at supporting the financial independence of young adults exiting child welfare facilities or foster care, with the total number of beneficiaries reaching 38,000.

According to Samsung Group, the number of recipients of the Samsung Hope Stepping Stone independence support program stood at 37,840 as of the end of last year, with 15 centers nationwide providing housing and educational support.

Samsung Hope Stepping Stone was launched in 2013, inspired by ideas from Samsung Electronics employees who proposed a CSR program designed to support young adults transitioning out of child welfare facilities or foster care after turning 18.

With 25 billion won in donations contributed by employees, the program opened its first support center in Busan in 2016. It quickly expanded its reach, with Samsung Electronics contributing an additional 25 billion won in 2019.

Initially, the program focused on providing housing stability and emotional support for young adults leaving care. Under this goal, it has opened 15 centers in Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon, Gangwon Province, South and North Gyeongsang Province, South and North Chungcheong Province, South and North Jeolla Province and Gyeonggi Province in cooperation with local authorities.

The latest center opened in North Chungcheong Province on Nov. 26 last year, offering residential facilities for 15 individuals along with vocational training programs. The program’s operator is set to open another center in Incheon.

At the center, young adults aged 18 and older are provided with private, studio-style rooms for up to two years, along with support in areas such as daily life skills, financial management and job information to help them transition to independent living. For teenagers aged 15 to 17, the center offers programs that allow them to experience life at the facility in advance.

Samsung Stepping Stone of Hope program's North Chungcheong Province center in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province / Courtesy of Samsung

In 2023, the program launched its second phase to provide not only residential support but also boost their ability to achieve financial independence, as beneficiaries said they most need practical support to acquire vocational skills for financial independence.

To meet such demands, Samsung Stepping Stone of Hope 2.0 offers training courses covering 10 vocational fields, including electronics and IT manufacturing, shipbuilding, IT services, online advertising, baking and pastry arts.

Also, Samsung provides accommodation and meals by opening its own facilities — Samsung Electronics Giheung Campus in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and Samsung Heavy Industries Technical Training Center in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province — to help participants focus fully on their training.

Samsung also runs a job camp during the training period to help participants translate their skills into real employment, offering guidance on resume writing and interview techniques. Even after the program ends, participants continue to receive support through career counseling services from professional consultants and various job placement programs, including recruitment fairs with Samsung’s partner companies.

Since the launch of the program's second phase, 43 out of 91 trainees found jobs as of 2024, recording a 47.3 percent employment rate. Samsung said it will upgrade the training programs by reflecting trainees’ various needs.