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Teen smoking, drinking decline, while mental health, dietary habits worsen
서울 시립 영등포보현의집 앞의 한 테이크 아웃 커피점에서 일하는 59세 원모씨.
하루 약 100잔 이상의 커피를 내리는 그에게 ‘내생에 에스프레소' 카페는 직장 이상의 의미를 가진다.
“그 전까지는 암흑 속에서 살다시피 했는데 이제는 좀 깨어나는 기분이 들어요.”
얼마 전까지 만해도 정처없이 떠돌아 다니는 노숙자였던 그에게 이 카페는 새로운 삶을 시작하게 해주었다.
’내생에 에스프레소' 카페는 노숙인들에게 일자리를 제공하기 위해 서울시가 마련했다.
이곳은 서울시 자활 프로그램을 통해 바리스타 자격증을 취득한 2명의 바리스타들이 7월 말부터 일하기 시작한 곳으로서 하루 평균 200명의 손님이 다녀간다.
이곳의 종업원들은 서울시의 특별 자활비를 통해 이들은 매 월 50만원의 급여를 받지만 운영비를 제외한 판매 수익금 또한 이들에게 돌아간다.
최용선 보현의집 사회복지사는“처음에는 노숙자들이 일한다고 해서 손님들이 꺼려하지 않을까 하며 바리스타들이 걱정했지만 사람들과 이야기를 나누면서 점점 자신감도 얻고 사교성도 좋아졌다"고 전했다.
원 씨도 조금씩 희망을 찾아가고 있다.
IMF 당시 회사 부도로 내리막길을 걸었던 그였지만 이제는 오르막길을 위한 전진만을 꿈꾸고 있다.
그는 “로스팅이나 국제 바리스타 자격증을 따고 싶다"며 구체적인 목표를 세우고 시작했고 “집을 나간 이후로 한 번도 만나지 못한 가족들을 다시 만나고 싶다”라며 소중한 바램도 조심스레 가졌다.
서울시는 이번 홈리스 카페 운영이 정상화되면 1호점뿐만 아니라 2호점, 3호점도 오픈해 사회적기업으로 육성한다는 계획이다. 또한 1호점의 바리스타들을 2호점의 매니저로 고용할 계획도 고려하고 있다.
서울시는 그외에도 코레일과 함께 35명의 노숙자들에게 6개월 동안 서울역에서의 환경 미화 등의 일자리를 마련해주는 등 다양한 노숙자 자활 프로그램을 운영하고 있다.
그 기간동안의 급여와 주거비는 시에서 제공하고 있다.
1, 2 차 사업에 참여했던 노숙자들 중에서 많은 이들이 성실한 모습을 보여 정규직 포터로 고용되었고 현재 3차 사업이 진행중이다.
작년부터 시작한 2주 짜리 호텔리어 프로그램을 통해 20명의 노숙자들도 롯데, 신라, 조선 호텔 등에서 재활 의지를 보여왔다.
그 중 몇 명은 부적응 문제로 그만 두었지만 9명은 여전히 일하고 있다.
희망의 프레임이라는 사진 교육 프로그램 또한 노숙자들에게 재활 의지를 심어주고 있다.
지난 5월, 조세현 사진 작가의 재능 기부를 바탕으로 30여 명의 노숙자들이 6주 동안 사진 촬영 기법을 배웠고 그 중 2명은 현재 광화문 광장에서 희망의 사진사로 활동하고 있다.
외국인 관광객들을 위해 사진 촬영 및 인화를 해주며 월 100만원의 급여뿐만 아니라 사진 인화 장 수에 따른 인센티브도 받고 있다.
김경호 서울시 복지건강실장은 “서울시는 무엇보다 노숙인들이 스스로 희망을 갖고 자립하는데 초점을 맞춰 지원하고 있다”며 “앞으로도 요양보호사, 중장비, 조리사 등 다양한 분야로 노숙인들의 진로를 넓혀 가는 데 지원을 아끼지 않을 것”이라고 말했다. (코리아헤럴드 이현정 기자)
<관련 영문 기사>
Homeless baristas brew hopes of life
Won, 59, makes more than 100 cups of coffee every day at a small take-out shop in Yeongdeungpo, southwestern Seoul.
For the fledgling barista, Cafe Espresso of My Life is not merely a workplace, but where he started over after years spent on the streets.
“I used to live in the darkness but now I feel like I’m waking a bit,” said Won, who declined to give his full name.
The cafe, established by the city government, is staffed by two homeless people who have been trained through Seoul’s self-support programs.
Staying in a public homeless shelter called the Home of Bohyeon, right next to the cafe, they had the opportunity to attend a three-month coffee brewing course and finally acquired certification.
Launched in late July, the cafe attracts some 200 customers on average a day. While baristas receive 500,000 won ($450) in monthly wages from Seoul, all profits earned from coffee sales also go into their pockets.
“The baristas were first concerned that customers might be reluctant to drop in just because they are homeless. As they communicate with customers, I can see that they are becoming more self-confident and sociable than before,” said Choi Yong-sun, a social welfare worker at the Home of Bohyeon.
Won, who once nearly gave up on life after his company went bankrupt, is now hopeful of a better future.
“I want to get other certificates such as for coffee roasting and to be an international barista. And someday I want to see my family again. I haven’t seen them since I left home after my company ran out of business.”
The second outlet of Cafe Espresso of My Life is expected to open next year in Jongno, central Seoul, and the current baristas are potential managers for the new shop.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government runs various self-support programs for the down-and-outer.
In cooperation with the public railway KORAIL, the city picks dozens of homeless who have the strong will to stand on their own feet, and offers six-month jobs of cleaning or moving luggage at Seoul Station. During the term, wage and a residence are provided by the city, and some with good performance are hired as regular porters.
The KORAIL job program has run twice so far and the third term is currently underway.
A two-week hotelier course, which started last year, also trained 20 homeless people and helped a majority of them gain jobs as regular workers in major hotels. While some of them quit due to maladjustment, nine are still in a position.
A photography class called the Frame of Hope has also assisted homeless people to start a new life.
Thanks to renowned photographer Jo Se-hyun’s talent donation, about 30 people completed the six-week course in May and two of them are working as a “photographer of hope” at a public photo studio in Gwanghwamun Square in the city center. Taking and printing pictures for foreign tourists, they earn 1 million won a month with additional incentives depending on how many pictures they print.
A new term for the photography class will start in late August.
“We try to help the homeless become independent and help themselves. The city government will provide them with full support to find careers in diverse fields,” said Seoul’s health and welfare chief Kim Kyung-ho.
By Lee Hyun-jeong
(rene@heraldcorp.com)
Won, 59, makes more than 100 cups of coffee every day at a small take-out shop in Yeongdeungpo, southwestern Seoul.
For the fledgling barista, Cafe Espresso of My Life is not merely a workplace, but where he started over after years spent on the streets.
“I used to live in the darkness but now I feel like I’m waking a bit,” said Won, who declined to give his full name.
The cafe, established by the city government, is staffed by two homeless people who have been trained through Seoul’s self-support programs.
Staying in a public homeless shelter called the Home of Bohyeon, right next to the cafe, they had the opportunity to attend a three-month coffee brewing course and finally acquired certification.
Launched in late July, the cafe attracts some 200 customers on average a day. While baristas receive 500,000 won ($450) in monthly wages from Seoul, all profits earned from coffee sales also go into their pockets.
“The baristas were first concerned that customers might be reluctant to drop in just because they are homeless. As they communicate with customers, I can see that they are becoming more self-confident and sociable than before,” said Choi Yong-sun, a social welfare worker at the Home of Bohyeon.
Won, who once nearly gave up on life after his company went bankrupt, is now hopeful of a better future.
“I want to get other certificates such as for coffee roasting and to be an international barista. And someday I want to see my family again. I haven’t seen them since I left home after my company ran out of business.”
The second outlet of Cafe Espresso of My Life is expected to open next year in Jongno, central Seoul, and the current baristas are potential managers for the new shop.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government runs various self-support programs for the down-and-outer.
In cooperation with the public railway KORAIL, the city picks dozens of homeless who have the strong will to stand on their own feet, and offers six-month jobs of cleaning or moving luggage at Seoul Station. During the term, wage and a residence are provided by the city, and some with good performance are hired as regular porters.
The KORAIL job program has run twice so far and the third term is currently underway.
A two-week hotelier course, which started last year, also trained 20 homeless people and helped a majority of them gain jobs as regular workers in major hotels. While some of them quit due to maladjustment, nine are still in a position.
A photography class called the Frame of Hope has also assisted homeless people to start a new life.
Thanks to renowned photographer Jo Se-hyun’s talent donation, about 30 people completed the six-week course in May and two of them are working as a “photographer of hope” at a public photo studio in Gwanghwamun Square in the city center. Taking and printing pictures for foreign tourists, they earn 1 million won a month with additional incentives depending on how many pictures they print.
A new term for the photography class will start in late August.
“We try to help the homeless become independent and help themselves. The city government will provide them with full support to find careers in diverse fields,” said Seoul’s health and welfare chief Kim Kyung-ho.
By Lee Hyun-jeong
(rene@heraldcorp.com)
