Samsung Stepping Stone of Hope program opens 16th center in Incheon

Participants in the opening ceremony of Samsung Stepping Stone of Hope Incheon center, including First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Seu-ran, fifth from left, and Samsung Electronics Corporate Relations President Park Seung-hee, sixth from left, applaud during the event in Bupyeong District, Thursday. Courtesy of Samsung Group

Samsung Group on Thursday opened the 16th center for its Stepping Stone of Hope program in Incheon, marking the latest milestone for the corporate social responsibility program aimed at supporting the financial independence of young adults exiting foster care.

First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Seu-ran, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, Samsung Global Research Social Contribution President Jang Seok-hoon, Samsung Electronics Communications President Baek Su-hyeon, Samsung Electronics Corporate Relations President Park Seung-hee and 200 other officials from the government, Incheon Metropolitan City and Samsung congratulated the opening during a ceremony in Bupyeong District, Incheon.

The program was launched in 2013, inspired by ideas from Samsung Electronics employees who proposed a corporate social responsibility program designed to support young adults transitioning out of child welfare facilities after turning 18.

Since 2015, the program has been establishing support centers across the country, providing residential facilities for the recipients, and completed its national network with the Incheon center after a decade of expansion.

Samsung has provided residential and educational support for 54,611 recipients through the program so far.

Samsung Stepping Stone of Hope Incheon center / Courtesy of Samsung Group

During the ceremony, a recipient surnamed Jung shared his story. After leaving state care, he lived at a Stepping Stone of Hope center, where he received support that helped him secure a job. In September, he married and started a new family.

“I am grateful to the program for helping me from my high school days through adulthood, allowing me to find a job and build a family,” Jung said. “Now, I want to live as someone who can become a stepping stone for others who are struggling.”

The program initially focused on providing housing stability and educational support for young adults leaving state care. At each center, participants receive a wide range of support essential for independent living, such as help with cooking, cleaning and home organization. The program also provides basic financial education covering budgeting and asset management, as well as career counseling and job placement support.

In 2023, the program launched its second phase to provide not only residential support but also to boost residents' ability to achieve financial independence, by offering training courses covering 10 vocational fields, including electronics and IT manufacturing, shipbuilding, IT services, online advertising, baking and pastry arts.

Over the past three years, 241 young adults under the age of 34 participated in the program’s job training courses. Among the 167 who completed the program, 47.3 percent successfully secured employment at companies of their choice.

On Monday, Samsung Electronics received a presidential commendation in recognition of its efforts to support the independence of young adults through the program.

“An adult’s independence is achieved when a person’s potential is supported by practical assistance in housing, education and employment, along with strong encouragement from the people around them,” said Park, the Samsung Electronics corporate relations president.

“The Stepping Stone of Hope program has helped create that kind of change.”