SEOUL, South Korea – The Jungnang-gu Family Center (Director Lee Chae-hee) is set to host a three-week arts and culture education program, "Touching Hearts," specifically designed for multicultural families with elementary school-aged children in upper grades. The program, running from July 19th, aims to foster deeper communication and emotional expression within families through engaging, tactile-based activities.

The "Touching Hearts" program focuses on exploring emotions through touch, incorporating themes such as "elements of the heart," "shapes of the heart," and "hands and heart." These experiential sessions are designed to help family members, particularly parents and their children, express and understand each other's feelings in a unique and interactive way. By engaging their sense of touch, participants will be guided through activities that encourage non-verbal communication and emotional intelligence development. This innovative approach recognizes the potential language barriers within some multicultural families and seeks to provide an alternative, universally accessible method of connection.

This initiative is open to eight multicultural families who can commit to participating in all sessions. Eligible families must have at least one child in the upper elementary grades (typically 4th to 6th grade in South Korea). Registration is available through the Jungnang-gu Family Center's website or by phone at 02-435-4142 or 02-435-4149. Early registration is encouraged due to the limited number of available spots.

Lee Chae-hee, Director of the Jungnang-gu Family Center, expressed her enthusiasm for the program, stating, "We hope that through this arts and culture education, multicultural families will have the opportunity to engage with art and communicate more deeply with their children. We anticipate that the program will also contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and strengthening relationships between parents and children." Her comments highlight the center's commitment to supporting the integration and well-being of multicultural families within the community.

The "Touching Hearts" program is part of "Gagahoho" (가가호호), a community-based arts and culture education support project spearheaded by the Korea Arts and Culture Education Service (KACES) and collaboratively linked with the Jungnang Foundation for Arts & Culture. The "Gagahoho" initiative, which translates roughly to "every household," aims to promote family bonding and provide accessible art experiences to diverse communities across South Korea. KACES, a public institution under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, plays a crucial role in expanding opportunities for arts and culture education nationwide, focusing on its social value and impact. By partnering with local cultural foundations like the Jungnang Foundation, KACES ensures that programs are tailored to the specific needs and demographics of each region. This collaborative framework allows for the efficient deployment of resources and expertise, maximizing the reach and effectiveness of cultural initiatives.

The Jungnang-gu Family Center has a history of providing comprehensive support services for multicultural families, including language education, counseling, and various cultural integration programs. This new arts and culture offering further enriches their commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all families in the district. The program aligns with broader national efforts in South Korea to embrace its growing multicultural population and provide resources that facilitate their successful settlement and social cohesion. Through such initiatives, the Jungnang-gu Family Center and its partners are actively contributing to a more understanding and harmonious society.

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