Community service often brings together diverse individuals, but joint efforts across different generations offer a unique perspective on local engagement. On October 11, Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gangseo Branch teamed up with the Gangseo Chapter of the Vietnam War Veterans Association for a targeted street clean-up campaign around Exit 1 of Balsan Station in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. A total of 35 participants, including war veterans and youth volunteers, worked together in mixed teams to clean up high-traffic pedestrian areas, transit hubs, and commercial zones. This initiative expanded past veterans' exchanges into hands-on public service, addressing urban waste while fostering mutual cooperation between younger and older community members.
Event Overview
Schedule, Location, and Purpose
- Date: October 11
- Location: Exit 1 of Balsan Station and surrounding commercial streets in Gangseo-gu, Seoul
- Organizers: Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gangseo Branch and Vietnam War Veterans Association Gangseo Chapter
- Participants: 35 total participants (war veterans and youth volunteers)
- Objective: To improve the local environment in heavily used public spaces and expand veterans' exchanges into practical community service activities.
Main Activities
Intergenerational Cleanup Teams and Operations
The joint activity lasted approximately one hour and focused on areas with heavy pedestrian traffic around Balsan Station, including subway station entrances, sidewalks, roadside edges, and nearby commercial alleys.
Rather than separating tasks by group or age, participants were paired into mixed teams consisting of one veteran and one youth volunteer per team. Together, these paired teams swept through their assigned zones to handle several key activities:
Identifying neglected spots along pedestrian walkways and commercial streets that required cleanup.
Gathering discarded household litter, packaging, and general street debris.
Sharing physical work by co-carrying waste bags and passing tools along the route.
Key Messages and Responses
Participant Feedback and Insights
Throughout the one-hour project, participants communicated directly on-site to divide responsibilities naturally. Veterans pointed out specific areas requiring attention, while youth volunteers carried out the physical collection and transportation of gathered waste.
The head of the Gangseo Chapter of the Vietnam War Veterans Association shared his thoughts following the service:
"As we cleaned the streets, I felt that not only our surroundings but also our minds became clean. It was great to see the volunteers from Shincheonji Volunteer Group working so hard, and I hope these kinds of volunteer activities continue in the future."
A 27-year-old volunteer from Balsan-dong, Seoul, who was paired directly with a veteran, reflected on the experience:
"Volunteering directly in a team with Vietnam War veterans, I was impressed to see them taking the lead for the local community regardless of their age. While cleaning the streets together, I felt that there is no generational divide in volunteer service."
A representative from Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gangseo Branch stated:
"It was meaningful to work and sweat together with the war veterans for our local area. Moving forward, we will continue to join hands with various community members to conduct volunteer activities that provide practical help to the local region."
Meaning of the Event
Expanding Veterans' Exchanges into Local Action
This clean-up campaign marked a transition from conventional commemorative veterans' exchanges into active civic participation. By moving out into daily public spaces, both organizations established a practical model for local cooperation.
Key takeaways from the initiative include:
- Equal Participation: Moving away from one-sided assistance toward a collaborative model where both groups work as equal team members.
- Practical Impact: Focus on immediate, practical improvements in areas daily used by local residents, such as transit hubs and commercial streets.
- Community Connection: Creating a shared space for different generations to connect naturally around a shared civic goal.
The joint street clean-up around Balsan Station demonstrated how joint volunteer efforts can connect different generations through shared civic action. By spending an hour maintaining public spaces together, Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gangseo Branch and the local Vietnam War veterans showed that community service can serve as a simple, effective bridge between generations.
How do you think joint volunteer initiatives between different generations can impact local neighborhoods? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Shincheonji Volunteer Group Community Initiatives
Joint Civic Programs with War Veterans
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How Veterans Associations Participate in Modern Civic Service
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