"Due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, numerous small businesses were forced to close. This particularly affected young women in their 20s who relied on part-time jobs for income, leaving them uncertain about their future," said Lee, head of Seed:s founded in 2010 to help young people establish start-ups.
In May 2022, she created Mole Burrow, an online community, to help isolated youths.
The name came from moles that typically live in solitude but occasionally pop up to the surface despite dangers, much like withdrawn youths who need time to slowly come together.
Mole Burrow provides support for isolated youths seeking help, from online anonymous group chat rooms to offline counseling and meditation in the Mole House center in Bulgwang-ro, western Seoul. With everyday schedules posted online, youths can come and go freely.
"The youths opened up about their experiences with school violence, domestic abuse and other traumatic events online, offering mutual support and encouragement. Some formed friendships in the process. They often ask us, 'When will this person be at the center? I'd like to meet them,'" said Lee, who also serves as an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Social Welfare in Soongsil University.
Many comments uploaded on the free hangout chat board contained messages like, "It was nice to see A in person." Photos of meals cooked and shared together at the center were posted nearly daily. Some even wrote diaries about their visits and time spent in the Mole House.
"Some people thoughtlessly attribute these young people's isolation to 'laziness.' However, lethargy and lack of motivation are consequences of isolation, not its root cause," Lee noted.
She pointed out that many youths visiting Mole Burrow are highly sensitive and emotionally aware, with some diagnosed with ADHD or borderline intellectual disabilities.
They often struggle to keep pace in today's fast-moving society, and harsh criticism only worsens their difficulties, she said.
"About 30 to 40 percent of our visitors have experienced school violence. These sensitive individuals often develop a fear of social interaction after enduring bullying and exclusion," Lee said.
Many have also experienced trauma at home. Lee noted that around 40 percent of the parents of withdrawn youths struggle to understand their children, who develop at a different pace.
A 2023 survey by the Ministry of Health and Welfare revealed that family issues ranked as the third most common reason for youth isolation, at 12.4 percent. "Failure to find employment" was the leading cause at 24.1 percent, followed by "interpersonal issues" at 23.5 percent.
With support from Seoul City, Lee began offering parenting education earlier this year. Three hundred parents have completed a 10-week training program aimed at improving understanding and support for their children.
She emphasizes that since parents are the first line of support for troubled youths, their intervention is crucial.
Lee said withdrawn youths need to progress gradually, one step at a time. Basic activities like maintaining regular sleep patterns, doing laundry, and taking on small part-time jobs can help them rebuild their daily routines.
Looking ahead, Lee plans to connect isolated youths with local communities, following the model of Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture.
"In Shizuoka, local businesses provide internships where owners personally mentor isolated youths, offering them work experience. Local adults even accompany youths to job interviews for moral support," Lee said.
Seed:s is currently piloting similar initiatives on Jeju Island, she added.
“Even small gestures of support can make a significant difference for these young people, like asking ‘How are you?’”
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