Woori Financial Group's Woori Financial Future Foundation said on Feb. 9 it held a launch ceremony on Feb. 7 for the third cohort of its mentoring group for young adults preparing for independent living, called 'Woori Chance (WOORI CHANCE) Woori-Sai Mentoring 3,' at its headquarters in Hoehyeon-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul.

Woori-Sai Mentoring is a triangular mentoring programme designed as a virtuous cycle. It helps young adults preparing for independence receive mentoring from experts in various fields and grow into mentors who go on to guide younger residents of child care facilities.

In the third cohort, adult mentors provide consulting tailored to the young adults' areas of interest. Young adult mentors are matched with children in care facilities to offer advice on financial matters and self-reliance and to take part together in cultural experiences.

It will also run in parallel a community programme called 'Maeum Crew' that the young adults plan themselves, with the aim of supporting peer bonding and the recovery of daily routines.

About 80 people attended the ceremony, including 50 young adults preparing for independence and 30 adult mentors, including Woori Financial employees. The event featured a range of participatory programmes, starting with presentations of outstanding cases, followed by relationship-building training that can be used in mentoring settings, as well as recreation.

Hong Sang-a (홍상아), an official at the Woori Financial Future Foundation, said, "Independence is completed when it is supported by emotional stability and a social support system, beyond simple financial independence." Hong added, "I hope this mentoring will raise the self-esteem of young adults preparing for independence and serve as a stepping stone for them to take root as healthy members of our society," she stressed.