Sin sto plin by Panos Nikolaou

editorial Tzanetos Antypas, PRAKSIS President

When referring to quality of life, we usually allude to conquests of inalienable human rights related to feeding, housing, health, work, culture, education and freedom, and to the ultimate of all, the right to self-determination. The quality of life is in direct relationship to the respect towards human beings from a humanitarian point of view rather than from an anthropocentric approach. Today, probably more than ever, quality of life is more determined on a material level of pleasures. Attempting to define vulnerable groups, we often encountered dead ends and realized that the conceptual meaning of vulnerability is very relative and might include a diversity of groups of people whose well being is directly or indirectly threatened not only physically but also mentally and socially. At certain moments, we could all potentially belong to such groups. 2

Nowadays, in the deep financial Greek crisis, when talking about vulnerable groups, we refer to a large part of Greek society with very severe and unresolved problems and recurrent obstacles encountered on a daily basis. Today, our society has a new class of people that live without a job, without a house, without salary, without documents, without doctor, without medicines, without family, without social benefits, without any dignity, without future! Without the obvious basics. A new class is born the ones “without future” For these people, PRAKSIS anguish bridged with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation will, and thus the “Συν στο Πλην” project was created. A program that consists of two axes, one focusing on intervention while the other is preventive. As far as intervention is concerned, συν στο πλην provides active relief to homeless population (both in Athens and Piraeus and very soon, I hope, in Thessaloniki). The preventive part (we rarely meet the term prevention nowadays in social welfare in Greece) deals with the average Greek family that till yesterday was in the center of social transmissions and suddenly found itself inactive, jobless and unable to face the financial obligations that the systemic consuming standard had imposed. In essence, through the implementation of this program, the minimum guaranteed income that Greece should apply (as applied in the rest EU countries) is being “tested” while still Greece weighs its population with terms of poverty.

Social workers, work advisors, financial collaborators and lawyers deal with approximately 570 families per month striving not only to relief and cover up their family expenses but mainly to reintegrate them to the labor market. Although some people would believe that this is a utopia (Greece everyday records 1.000 newly unemployed individuals), in PRAKSIS we can make it happen, numbers cease being static figures and they regain their power and magic. In 2013 Greece, where the hunting for cheap food is blooming, the distribution points of soup kitchens and Social Groceries are overcrowded by Greeks and not Greeks. There is no discrimination there, as hunger is one of the common defects of humans. Besides, for these Greeks or not Greeks, there was no society or country to embrace them! What makes me sad is that one the topmost civilizations of the world (as the Greek Civilization), has been so deeply altered, that its people feels free to throw a large part of itself (a part that everyday grows bigger) at the Keadas of invisibility and wretchedness. What makes me even sadder is that wretchedness is a potential possibility for everyone. This is why PRAKSIS has chosen, aside of offering on the field, to participate actively into solving this problem for a part of the greek population.

Poverty and daily humiliation of our fellowmen is our concern because we are a part of humanity. Συν στο πλην is the christian form of love in its purest form - without any back thoughts or insincere missionary motives. It is Kant’s imperative order; Thou shall act so that your actions can become a law for all. Our daily work through the συν στο πλην program, the innovative ideas of collaboration and synergy and the effective bridges that brought together foundations, entities, companies, other associations, international organizations, individuals, monetary and inkind donations, proved that the convergence of the triangle State - Local Government / Foundations - Companies / NGOs will be able to have a beneficial effect on the whole society since the generated message is clear: Even if a single person is at risk all the sides of the triangle of the social responsibility “StatePrivate sector-Civil Society” share equally the responsibility to act efficiently to his rescue and to ensure the exercise of his right to access in life with dignity and personal choice.” Eventually we cannot escape humanity. This is both our fate and our hope. In our cosmic loneliness, we have no other recourse but to stand as close as possible to each other. Though this contact sometimes hurts us - as with Schopenhauer hedgehogs - the warmth of our actions compensates us.

PRAKSIS is an independent N.G.O. aiming to provide humanitarian focused support in a wide span of fields (such as medical, legal, social welfare, psychological and financial) to socially vulnerable groups in need regardless of: color, race, religion, age, nationality, ideology or political beliefs, through an array of programs. The organization expands its present activities all over Greece. The main emphasis is given in the two larger urban centers of Athens and Thessaloniki where the need for humanitarian and social help is crucially concentrated. However, focused action programs are also implemented in key hot areas of the country, such as the islands of the Northeastern Aegean Sea (Samos, Chios, and Lesvos), the northeastern (Evros) and northwestern

(Promachonas) areas of the country, as well as Patras, its port and the surrounding areas. Strong leadership, sound management, quantitative results and our determination have led our organization to succeed in sustainable and lasting welfare programs. PRAKSIS main aim is to provide a positive strong social impact to promote public welfare and make a difference at a local level.

PRAKSIS name is the acronym of its full Greek organization title: “Programs of Development, Social Support and Medical Cooperation”. However, in Greek the word «πράξις» means “ACTION” and also “mathematical calculations”, as we aim through our actions to: add our experience, subtract prejudice, multiply the support given and divide the existing problems.

PRAKSIS AT A GLANCE:

years of field experience

active humanitarian programs

+50.000

beneficiaries per year

160

employees

580

volunteers

PRAKSIS PROGRAMS: POLYCLINICS ΣΥΝ ΣΤΟ ΠΛΗΝ PRAKSIS AT THE BORDERS PUBLIC HEALTH POST-RELEASE CENTER CHILDREN ON THE MOVE CAMPAIGNS ON HIV, HEP B, HEP C, MOBILE TESTING UNIT, INFORMATIVE HOTLINE LABOUR COUNSELING MOBILE SCHOOL LEGAL COUNSELING STEGI PROGRAM

GREECE IN CRISIS

More and more people are forced to homeless conditions, unable to cope with their daily expenses. They experience exclusion, uncertainty, and the shame that it brings. They are not necessarily roofless. After six year of depression, 70% of Greeks are frightened by their belief that they will face greater difficulties during 2013. Reduced pensions are the main income source for 43,2% of the Greek households. According to the National Bank of Greeceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Report, (December 2012), â&#x20AC;&#x153;Recession of that intensity and duration is historically unprecedented for the Greek economy during peacetime and has important implications not only on income but also on the social cohesion. Lack of investment and prolonged

unemployment contribute to depreciation of material and human capital. The recession is adversely affecting the fiscal adjustment, reducing government revenues and increasing social spending, leading to shrinkage of the deposit base of the banks and hence their capacity to provide funding, while creating a negative climate for the acceptance of structural reforms in society.â&#x20AC;? The official unemployment rate reached 26% while the respective rate for the most productive group (18-25 years old) is 60%.

31%

of the greek population is facing the skirts of POVERTY and SOCIAL EXCLUSION

Source: IME GSEVEE, Research MARC AE, a sample of 1.207 households (December 2012) 11

2 out of 3

households have an annual income lower than 18.000 euros Source: IME GSEVEE, Research MARC AE, a sample of 1.207 households (December 2012) 12

9 out of 10

lost most of their income

1 in 10

suffered income cuts of over 60%

30%

earn less than 10.000 euros annually

80%

have cut on basic food items

60%

live on savings

50%

is not able to address basic needs

40%

have bank or tax debts

72%

expect further income decrease

83%

have cut on home heating Source: IME GSEVEE, Research MARC AE, a sample of 1.207 households (December 2012) 13

At-risk-of-poverty rate by household type:

2008 2009 2010 2011 single person with dependent children

27.1

32.1

33.4

43.2

At-risk-of-poverty rate by level of educational attainment: 2008 2009 2010 2011 pre-primary, primary and low secondary education

27.2

27.0

29.5

upper secondary education, post secondary non tertiary education

15.5

16.4

18.5

19.8

first and second stage of tertiary education

6.8

5.3

5.8

7.1

Material Deprivation rate measures the percentage of the population that cannot afford at least 4 out of 9 of the following items: arrears on mortgage or rent payments, or utility bills or other loan payments, one week annual holiday away from home, a meal with meat chicken or fish every second day, facing unexpected expenses (540â&#x201A;Ź), a telephone, a colour tv, a washing machine, a car, an adequately warm home. 2008 2009 2010 2011 21.8 23.0 24.1 28.4

People at risk of poverty or social exclusion (2010)

Eurozone

Non-Eurozone

Ireland 29,9 Greece 27,7 Spain 25,5 Portugal 25,3 Italy 24,5 Cyprus 23,6 Estonia 21,7 Belgium 20,8

Hungary 29,9 Poland 27,8

Malta 20,6 Slovakia 20,6 Germany 19,7 France 19,3 Slovenia 18,3 Luxembourg 17,1 Finland 16,9 Austria 16,6 Netherlands 15,1 Source: Population and Labour Market Statistics Division, ELSTAT publication â&#x20AC;&#x153;Living Conditions in Greeceâ&#x20AC;?, January 2013

Unicef alarmingly reports that in 2011 597.000 greek children (1 out of 3) grows bellow poverty lines and in conditions of social exclusion, while 322.000 children deprived of basic commodities and goods. Half of the population faces the danger to find itself financially excluded: owing debts, not able to cover their income taxes

Source: UNICEF

According to the official data released by the European Commission, 1 out of 5 households lives below the poverty line in Greece, Spain, Bulgaria and Croatia Source: EUROPEAN COMMISION 17

what is homelessness? A homeless condition does not necessarily mean a roofless condition. Not only people sleeping on the streets are homeless. People hosted for a small period of time by friends or family, people staying in a hostel, people living under the imminent threat of eviction, people living in dangerous or inappropriate

buildings without running water or electricity, people living in overcrowded conditions, people sleeping in their cars, people living at risk of violence if staying in their home, people living in poor conditions damaging their health, all these people may not be roofless but still, they are homeless.

ETHOS Classification of Homelessness according to the Living Conditions

The absence of a home is summarized in Rooflessness, Houselessness, Insecure Housing and Inadequate Housing: Roofless: Those sleeping rough or in a night shelter Houseless: Those in insecure housing, hostel/temporary accommodation, womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shelters, asylum/immigrants shelters, institutional release, supported housing or inadequate housing. Insecure Housing: Those with no tenancy, eviction orders or experiencing violence/threat in their home. Inadequate Housing: Those in temporary/illegal structures or those in living situations that are overcrowded or unfit for habitation.

ETHOS : European Typology on Homelessness and Housing Exclusion 20

There are three categories of homelessness: Visible homelessness: people living rough or sleeping in emergency shelters. Hidden homelessness: people who are staying temporarily with relatives or friends or remaining in institutional care because of the lack of affordable accommodation, people living in their cars, people living in houses with no electricity, no running water as they have not paid the bills. People at risk of homelessness: people who have housing but are likely to become homeless because of economic difficulties.

Greece 2013: the two last categories are rising alarmingly 21

interview Mr Yiannis: An interview at the day center

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was married with one kid. I used to work as a driver, In July 2008; I was dismissed due to the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cost cutting. Expenses started building up; I had no revenues any more. I started living in the streets in 2009. The church helped me out in paying my debts, but soon after my wife left I, separated. At that time, I lost everything. My child must be 18 years old now. The daily life of a homeless is a continuous run for survival: the kitchen soup, toilet, shower, clothing, and if one is lucky some coins for a coffee and a smoke. This is the way day passes, leaving you alone at night with your fears and the perils you must overcome.

When I first started living in the streets, it was impossible for me to ask for anything from people passing by, I used to follow them and if they dropped something I waited till they moved along and then picked it up. Survival has other rules. Tough rules. I need to eat, I need to get clothes when it s cold. In my first homeless days, in the corner of Ermou st., where taxis usually park, one of the drivers had left his cup of coffee. My need for a coffee made me grab it. The only thing I could think of was keeping my eyes open. This coffee helped me go through that day until the night came and I had to find a place to hide to sleep. Before being a homeless I could not even imagine I could take something that was not mine. Now I can understand why this might happen.

On a daily basis I am deprived of dignity. I lose my human integrity, I become invisible, and I experience alienation and indifference. Once you lose material possessions and needs come, then everything is made possible….At night, when I need to rest, I hide away from decent and respectable people. What makes me hide is my being ashamed for lacking dignity.

I’m afraid of everything, but death frightens me less than having to cope with society.”

Dignity cannot be retrieved instantaneously. The whole community should help someone to get back on his feet.

With the help of the job consultants, Mr Yiannis started this month his new job as a janitor in a shelter. It is his first salary after a long time of unemployment.

Mr. Yiannis was first a visitor and then a volunteer at the Athens Day center, caring for the laundry facilities. As he says, volunteering offered him “a way out of the dead-end, of loneliness and melancholy”. He ceased being “invisible and inactive”.

Every homeless is longing for an opportunity to come out of this situation. It is a personal battle in which everyone is alone, has to face up to his hopes and fears.

The Initiative Every year more than 50.000 people beneficiate of the sum of our actions. This has led PRAKSIS to be a solid and trustworthy organization, a responsibility that leads us to handle all donations in absolute clarity, focusing to measurable and sustainable results. PRAKSIS was able to initiate the “συν στο πλην¨ program with the valuable support and contribution of its basic partner in this effort, the “Stavros Niarchos Foundation”. Other donations for the program do not influence in any case the initial budgeted donation of the “Stavros Niarchos Foundation” and are used to expand the program and enhance its sustainability.

The magnitude of the financial crisis in Greece along with the problems arising from it require multiple partnerships and synergies to ensure the sustainability and the expansion of the program, in order to give access to the program to as many families as possible and bring relief to as many people as possible.

Τhe mission Αs the Crisis began to unfold in Greece in 2009, most people failed to realize that its impact was going to be felt for many years to come, especially for the most vulnerable of the country’s citizens. At the same time, there were sizeable expectations at every level of the society, domestic and international, that eventually three to four years into the crisis one would start to notice the first visible signs of improvement and change, and of a better future. Today, it’s obvious that this optimistic scenario was rather wishful thinking and those things have not played out that way. With general Unemployment at 28% and youth unemployment (ages18-25) exceeding 50% the

severity of the crisis has not diminished, and its impact and disruptions continue to be as devastating. Optimism is very hard to evoke in this environment, with issues such as child hunger figuring prominently in the picture. ΣΥΝ ΣΤΟ ΠΛΗΝ Creates a “safety net” for families and the homeless, providing them not only with relief but also with hope that they can regain their autonomy. It also provides a best practice model that could be supported, replicated and/or adopted by other organizations and/or foundations in order to assist more families or homeless individuals.

Τhe project This antipoverty program has a double mission in order to face homelessness: to intervene and to prevent

INTERVENTION: What should be obvious for everyone is nowadays a luxury for many people in 2013 Greece. The DAY CENTERS for the homeless in Athens and Piraeus offer relief and assistance to homeless people in need of support. PREVENTION: The SUPPORT TO FAMILIES aims to prevent homelessness on a monthly basis for 520 impoverished greek families with children, assisting the return of the households to a level of self sufficiency, dignity and functionality as per before the crisis.

The Day Center Facilities Since May 2012, two Day Centers are in full operation in the wider Athens area (downtown Athens and Piraeus), an area with heavy concentration of the problem. Services offered attend basic needs which however are not currently provided for in these areas. The operating day centers are the following: 26-28 Deligiorgi Str. (center of Athens), Attica Tel. +30 210 52 44 574 7 days a week, from 9:00-21:00

44 Zossimadon Str. (Piraeus harbor), Piraeus Tel. +30 698 58 66 432 Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00

This section of the program is focusing in crisis management intervention both through the day centers but also through street working teams springing from them to reach out to this population. The ultimate goal is to improve their daily living needs. Using the existing social welfare system, the Day Center social workers provide through referrals the maximum possible assistance. Employment consultants strive to potentially rehabilitate and reintegrate the homeless population in the labor market. The Day Centers operate a medical clinic providing first aid support and redirecting needs of Homeless visiting the clinics, through referrals to hospitals or social services. Sleeping rough results to 60% of our visitors to need medical aid.

Recorded visits in both centers range from 150 to 200 on a daily basis. 32

services provided include:

Showers and toiletry items

Laundry services

Beverages and snacks

Medical appointments and health care

Personal case management

Employment support

Clothing room

Restrooms

Homeless children playground

Access and help guidance for state social services Psychological and social support & referrals Locked storage Internet, mail and telephone access

The Day Centers:

Operation / Results DAY CENTERS, ATHENS-PIRAEUS,

42.971 visits

2.921

beneficiaries

3.784

medical appointments

15.586

laundry services

777

referrals

5.821

social service sessions 37

MARITAL STATUS OF DAY CENTERS VISITORS (May 2012 – July 2013)

Single 61% Married

22%

Divorced

11%

Widowed

Separated

Living together

EDUCATIONAL STATUS OF DAY CENTERS VISITORS (May 2012 – July 2013)

Illiterate 12% Primary school

28%

Secondary obligatory

23%

Secondary (optional)

26%

University 10% Postgraduate

«…I raised my kinds with dignity because all I always wanted was to have a proper family. …I know that I might sound selfish complaining about my problems when there is so much pain in the world. I would like you to show a little understanding to a father that all he wishes is to see his children smile again….» 38

interview Mr Christos

In PRAKSIS DAY CENTERS our youngest visitor is, Naser, an unaccompanied minor, thirteen years old from Afghanistan, on his way, trying to reach his parents in Sweden. Our eldest visitor is, Mr. Aristides, 91 years old. He is Greek and forced to homelessness for the past two years due to the crisis. Age Distribution (May 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 2013)

13 - 18

19 - 29

765

30 - 39

877

40 - 49

519

50 - 59

362

60 - 65

108

>65

Total:

2.773

Story Mr Nikos

Nikos is 57 years old. He was the owner of a marble store on Tinos Island. In 2009, new buildings were no longer under construction and he had to close down his business. Only debts were left for him. From then on, although an experienced craftsman, he could not find a job. He lost his house, he lost his world. He was too ashamed to stay in his hometown. He said he was moving to the states to live with his bother that had become successful there. He left Tinos and came to Athens. He came to disappear in the crowd. His little daughter is a University Student in Athens; she doesn’t know that her father has been homeless for almost two years in the same city. When he speaks about his daughter he busts into tears. He has no income, no social welfare. He comes to the day Center, to have a bath, wash his clothes, have some rest, see the doctor, have a snack speak to someone, feel secure. As he says “To feel human again for a little while”. In his wallet, he has his Day Center Card and a crinkled picture of his family. The same Family that believes that Nikos leads a fine life in the States and he forgot them.

Story Mr Dimitris

Dimitri (59 years old) used to work as a driver for international transportations companies; he got a loan from the bank and bought his own truck. Crisis had a major impact on the transportation industry, the truck could not pay back the loan and the bank seized it. He tried to find a job in other transportation companies, but it was impossible. His family was shocked by the poverty that came along with unemployment. Dimitri was ashamed he could not provide for them anymore. Dimitri, sleeps in a arcade in the center of Athens for the past 12 months. “It’s next to the bank and I feel safe during the night”, the other day an old colleague of his entered the bank “luckily he did not recognize me”. He often comes at the PRAKSIS Day Center. He holds his entry card in a plastic case with his ID and a picture of his two children. He hasn’t seen them for more than one year, since the day he told them that he would embark and work as a sailor.

Living conditions of the Day Center visitor:

45% Roofless

30%

Insecure Housing

21%

Inadequate Housing

Houseless

Families Support The program is designed to provide support to greek families with children in Athens and Thessaloniki that due to the crisis are facing poverty and the immediate risk of homelessness. The essential goal of the program is the successful integration of at least one

of the two parents to the labor market, and the return of the household to a level of self sufficiency, dignity and functionality as per before the crisis. Each month, συν στο πλην supports 520 families.

Prior to integration to the program, each application is scrutinized by PRAKSIS social workers performing home visits and evaluation of alterations and decrease of family income from 2010, debts, loans, housing status, unpaid bills, health issues and employment status. A moral agreement between each household and PRAKSIS is signed, determining each party’s liabilities and enhancing commitment to succesfully reverse the household’s precarious condition. Εach family, case per case, is supported and guided by social workers, psychologists, financial advisors, legal consultants and employment counselors, for a period ranging from 3 months to a maximum of 6. Advice and guidance are provided to negotiate bank loans or rents, to tidy up their home

financial issues, to restrict family expenses, to better organize their budgets while getting maximum support available from existing welfare services. The family’s potential assets are thoroughly investigated to provide a basis for creative solutions to overcome the crisis: Many families in greece moved from the rural areas to Athens or Thessaloniki urban centers until the last decade. In many cases, family bonds in their provinces of origin are still strong while in others there might be unexploited lots or houses. Several households that desired to move back, were educated in innovative agricultural productions, supported psychologically and materially, and have succeeded in making a fresh new start.

Î&#x2014;ouseholds are holistically guided with focused help and coordinated supportive management through a series of offered services and aid as follows:

Rent subsidization Electricity and water bills Crucial repairs (heating, humidity, safety) Supermarket vouchers (food aid, groceries) Medical support Psychological support Work and career counseling Legal counseling Financial management 47

Families Support:

Operation / Results Athens - Thessaloniki (March 2012-July 2013)

4.657

Total requests

1.132

families in the program

647

Families that completed the program

1871

children / 871 girls / 1.000 boys

Single mothers have to face and cope with the unbearable repercussions of the crisis, financial problems, poverty and unemployment, all by themselves. Hopelessness and despair add up to their loneliness. The Support to families provides them with psychological support through group sessions with other women experiencing the same problem, on a weekly basis, but also dedicated personal psychological support if needed.

Family composition in 2012:

69%

Nuclear Families

31%

Single parent families

FAMILY SUPPORT, (March 2012 – February 2013)

BEFORE integration to the program:

AFTER integration to the program:

86%

82%

100%

75%

of the families had debts of the families were unemployed

have no longer debts are employed

«…. From the very first day I contacted your organization, I felt that my family (me and my 3 kids) finally had someone to protect her. Your help was so immediate and quick I couldn’t believe it! Besides the financial support, it was PRAKSIS social workers that helped me regain my confidence. I think that, the fact that they are all young and eager to work, is the key for the successful results of the Program. When the Program was close to completion, (meanwhile I had already found a job) I realized that I was going to miss these people that helped me for so long and have made my life colorful again. I wish there were more organizations like PRAKSIS and more people willing to help us like you do! » 51

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL OF FAMILIES

Primary school graduates

23%

Senior high and high school graduates 58% Technological institute graduates

University graduates

13%

Post Graduate Studies

«….a big “thank you” from the bottom of our heart for caring for the future of our family» 52

Story Mrs Christina

Christina is 37 years old, mother of Kostas (6) and Petros (14).Her husband owned a furniture shop in the center of Athens for 15 years. In 2005 her husband died. She managed to sustain the small shop and to provide for her family with all the essentials. Five years later, crisis hit this industry irreversibly, her income decreased rapidly, her shop sank in debts. In 365 days, she lost her shop, her house, her friends, her social rights and had to move with her two boys to a homeless shelter, PRAKSIS found Christina evicted from the shelter aw her stay had expired, in a desperate situation and asking for help. Christina’s family was integrated in the ΣΥΝ ΣΤΟ ΠΛΗΝ program. Financially the program supports the family in renting a house, paying for utilities, and in buying groceries. Most importantly, ΣΥΝ ΣΤΟ ΠΛΗΝ helped Christina find a new job. Now Cristina can face hers and her children’s future with a smile and confidence.

TIME OF UNEMPLOYMENT

0 - 6 months

15%

6 - 12 months

18%

Long-term unemployed (more than 12 months)

67%

ÂŤThe assistance provided to my family and me was more than valuable. First, the moral support provided by the social workers helped me psychologically. When we started feeling better, the even more important help of the employment counselors turned our life from better to best. I found a job! Âť

Story Mr George and Mrs Elpida

George (55) and Elpida (48) have three children, two of them are elementary school and high school students, the other one is a University student in Ioannina. Elpida owned a cloths retail shop, but she had to close it down cause of the crisis. George was an engineer in a constructing company that bankrupt and though his persistent attempts to find a permanent job, he was unemployed for over a year. The family tried to cut any expenses possible, they even lessen their food expenses. Their university student son stopped his studies and returned back to Athens as his staying away from home was impossible. Any extracurricular activity was cut. Their younger son achieved an A plus score at his English test but he canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have his certificate as the Linguistic Institute his was attending has not been paid. The SIN STO PLIN program provides the family with financial assistant along with employment consultancy services. George and Elpida are now able to schedule their debtsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; payoff without having to worry for their everyday survival. George has been working for the last 9 months in his new job and their eldest son is back to his University classes. Antonis, framed his Proficiency diploma on the wall.

Parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s age distribution

18 - 25 years old

25%

25 - 35 years old

56%

35 - 45 years old

18%

>45 years old

Families Support (March 2012 - June 2013):

Type of meeting

Total

Psychosocial support meetings

2749

Legal counseling meetings

157

Financial consulting meetings

165

Story Ms Hara

Hara (52) is a widow since 2003. She lives in Nea Ionia, unemployed for the past two years. Hara, has four children, her daughter Chrisa (25) who had a temporary contract with the municipality, Andreas (22) who used to work as a delivery boy and had a travel order as a naval and two underage sons who were still high school students. The family has no income anymore and depend their everyday living on church’s common meals, social benefits and neighbors’ whip rounds. Owning two rents to the landowner, they were forced to sleep outside their house for five nights, as the lock was changed, with no water, electricity or hope. Hara had to send her underage children to friends The συν στο πλην program assisted Hara; she found a new house and covered her family’s first expenses. Chrisa, Andreas and their mother are being supported by the employment consultancy service so that their return to the labor market can be made possible. Hara’s family is reunited again. 57

Children distribution per age and gender (March 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 2013):

Age Boys Girls Total 0-2 95 71 166 3-5 204 182 386 6-12 350 316 666 13-15 147 117 264 16-18 169 153 322 >18 35 32 67 Total 1.000 871 1871

If children grow up in poverty, their wellbeing today, their life chances tomorrow, and society’s future will be irreversibly damaged. Greece’s crisis is having a dramatic impact on the daily lives of its people. Coping with the austerity measures, undermining social protection systems, it is the vulnerable groups who are most affected, among them children, the silent victims of the crisis. The crisis has had subtle but important impacts on family life. Levels of tension within families have also increased as a result of increasing financial pressures. Children from economically deprived families are now even more marginalized. Support for children’s participation in recreational, play and leisure activities has been reduced, with significant cutback in these areas. Progressively, children’s access to leisure time activities has been cancelled, many families having problems paying the respective fees.

In many cases clothes and shoes are secondhand. Last, the schooling system in Greece creates an intense need for supplementary reinforced teaching: A need that seems an expensive obligation especially for students who wish to enter a university. On the other hand, many students are accepted in universities in different cities than the parental home, thus the already heavy financial burden of the family has to bear for rent and other expenses for the young student, often leading to university admissions that cannot be attained or interruption of studies.

The team It is important to underline that whatever is described here as an achievement belongs not only to those who bravely funded it or participated into its theoretical conception. From draft to implementation, a number of persons shared their experience, professional background, enthusiasm, criticism, ideas,

passion, mistakes, joy or challenges and met under one common goal: bringing this support to those who needed it. SEVENTY ONE persons are totally dedicated to the project while enjoying of course the valuable support and hard work of PRAKSIS task force.

Day Centres A Coordinator leads the Day Centres teams composed of assistants, psychosocial counselors and medics. Nine social scientists and psychosocial counselors are there to listen to peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs while six medics are there to provide emergency and primary health care services. A work counselor encourages people when seeking for employment. Fourteen

people are there to welcome and assist the people in having their shower or washing their clothes. There is a dedicated person to drive everybody safe when escorting patients or to assist with the transfer of donations in kind, while another supports with logistics and administration.

Support to Families One social scientist in Athens and one in Thessaloniki coordinate each local team of skilled counselors to provide valuable advice on social, employment or financial issues. Fifteen social scientists receive the calls and applications, filter along with the employment and the financial counselors the eligible to the program, do a home visit, create a common action plan along with the family and support them throughout the program in both cities. Eleven employment counselors mainly encourage people to learn all the possible ways they can seek for income and guide them in all this procedure. Three skilled financial consultants are the ones making sure that the support provided is the right one and providing the necessary tips to improve house

budgeting whenever needed. An accountant makes sure everything follows the legislation. Dedicated Human Resources responsible is there to ensure the right people are in the right positions and all the necessary requirements according to the Greek legislation are followed. Our lawyer is always there to provide her legal counseling services to those who need it. Our telephone center receives all incoming calls for support. The Project Manager ensures correct coordination and implementation for both axes of the program. Dedicated fundraising secures the necessary resources to sustain it while communications ensures all the work done is published and the vital link with the society is sustained.

Bridges of collaboration PRAKSIS was able to initiate the “ΣΥΝ ΣΤΟ ΠΛΗΝ” program with the valuable support and contribution of its basic partner in this effort, the “Stavros Niarchos Foundation”. Other donations for the program do not influence in any case the initial budgeted donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and are used to expand the program and enhance its sustainability.

cess to the program to as many families as possible and bring relief to as many people as possible.

We wish to thank you all.

Since March 2012, we have witnessed beautiful collaborations bridging help to needs, uniting PRAKSIS to corporations, foundations, volunteers, groups and individuals in a unanimous struggle to confront the crisis.

Corporate Social Responsibility MEDIA MARKT Supported συν στο πλην providing all electric equipment needed for the Day Centers operation, such as washing and drying machines, refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, boilers, coffee makers, telephone center, vacuum cleaners, irons, air-conditioning units and heaters.

Moreover MEDIA MARKT offered all laptops needed to enable our social scientist team to work effectively in supporting the families.

ABBVIE Graciously donated the amount required for the purchase of medical equipment needed for the Athens Day Center, adopted two families expenses for one year, assumed the cost

of food aid, rent, schooling and clothing needs for another family, and also took in charge the cost of all medicine needed for the day center operation for one month.

PRAKTIKER Supported συν στο πλην in a variety of ways embracing all aspects of CSR: kinder boxes placed in all stores helped clients concentrate pallets of valuable clothing items for the homeless. PRAKTIKER offered several products to families in need, the flooring of PRAKSIS offices that was installed by its volunteer team, paints and tools needed to paint the homes of 130 families, and finally, all materials needed to create a child-friendly corner in Athens Day center to host daily 20 visiting homeless children while DESMOS volunteers worked to implement it. 64

“We are proud of our collaboration with PRAKSIS, as we consider that the obligation to offer to society and our fellow human beings in need is an obligation we all have. The closer we are to PRAKSIS people and actions , the greater our inner need and motivation to offer becomes.“ Konstantinos Stamatakis, Marketing Director at Praktiker Hellas

These are only three examples of Corporate Social Responsibility out of many more companies that added a positive impact in the negative context the families are immerged. We wish to thank them all warmly and equally.

ABBVIE / ASYMVATO THEATER PRODUCTION / ATHENIAN SEA CARRIERS / ATTRATTIVO SA / BENETTON SA / BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM / SELL SA / EUROCATERING SA – FRESKOULIS / EXCEL MARITIME CARRIERS LTD / FRIESLAND CAMPINA / GEFSINOUS / HERAKLITOS SCHOOL / HIPP GMBH & CO / HS XENIA HELLAS SA / IDEAL STANDARD / LUNA SA / MANPOWER GROUP / MARIA ILIOU / MASOUTIS SUPERMARKETS / MEDIA MARKT / NEF NEF / NESTLE SA / NEXIT SA / NIKOS TSATSOS MEDICAL SA / OFF CLUB / PAPADOPOULOS SA / PAPAPOLITIS SA / PRAKTIKER HELLAS SA / PRISMA SOFRONOAS / PROTOPAPA SCHOOL / SKAG SA / SKLAVENITIS SUPERMARKETS / SPECIFAR SA / STRATIGAKIS LANGUAGE SCHOOLS / TELETRANS SA INTERNATIONAL MOVERS / TERRAMARE SA / TERRANOSTRUM SA / TGI FRIDAY’S / THE BODY SHOP GREECE / TINA MAVRIKI FURNITURE / TRAKADAS SA / VIVARTIA / VOLCANO SA / XRYSSOS ODIGOS SA

SUPPORT FROM FOUNDATONS TIMA FOUNDATION The gracious grant from TIMA FOUNDATION regarded the addition of families to the συν στο πλην program, funding the inclusion of families with elderly members living under

the same roof, for one year. In total, 16 families were integrated, attaining independence and exiting the program.

THE A.G. LEVENTIS FOUNDATION Winter period for new homeless population totally unequipped to fight it presents extreme hardship. The A.G. LEVENTIS FOUNDATION agreed to support the creation of a WINTER URBAN SURVIVAL kit (consisting of a sleeping bag, water bottle insulator- thermos, flashlight, set of isothermal underwear, cap, gloves and pair of wool socks) for 225 Greek “new homeless” to help them confront their first winter in the streets with the adequate gear that can make a difference. TERRAMARE SA (a large importer of camping goods)

contributed to the creation of the kits donating all profit percentage and offering these items at an extremely low cost. This resulted to the following wonderful synergy: Initially the survival kits were designed to consist of 6 basic items, while through this collaboration of solidarity; the final kits will be composed of 19 useful items covering more needs and offering more support to 225 new-homeless.

LIMANI AMKE Founded by a ship owner, Mr Comninos, the LIMANI has adopted two families having a close relationship with Piraeus to support

them in successfully reversing their precarious condition and reintegrating at least one of the parents in labor.

TERRANOSTRUM / FOOD BANK The former company had an excess of a large quantity of cheese and butter with a close expiration date and decided to donate these products to the Program. There was no ability to refrigerate these perishable products in order to distribute them safely. However, a close collaboration with the FOOD BANK (that was in a position to store and dispense the

products), enabled the program to absorb the goods and trade them for dry food that the Food Bank had in excess. This synergy channeled the cheese and butter to nursing homes for the elderly via the Food Bank and croissants and biscuits to the day center visitors.

These are only some examples of Foundations that graciously supported συν στο πλην out of many more whose support was crucial. We wish to thank them all equally and warmly.

BODOSSAKI FOUNDATION / ECHO 100 PLUS / ITO SUPPORTING COMITY JAPAN / JP MORGAN FOUNDATION / KATHERINA TURNAUER FOUNDATION AUSTRIA / LIMANI MAKE / SAVE THE CHILDREN ITALIA ONLUS / THE A.G. LEVENTIS FOUNDATION / THE BODY SHOP FOUNDATION / THE FOOD BANK / THE HELLENIC INITIATIVE / THE JOHN S. LATSIS FOUNDATION / TIMA

SOLIDARITY ATENISTAS Organized a street event in November, calling for the collection of blankets, sleeping bags, flashlights and clothing needed for the homeless to survive the difficulties of winter. Responding to the call, 4 vans were delivered to the day centres and distributed to their vis

itors. Moreover, awareness related to the program services through the day centres was achieved as during the event the day centres personnel was informing Athenians relatively to the program

DESMOS Close collaboration with DESMOS NGO results in a continuous flow of donations stemming from private individuals, corporations and miscellaneous organizations. Thus, numerous items have been collected ranging from furniture, clothing, medicine, shoes, toys, and even a harmonium. Moreover, DESMOS collaborated in networking the program

with private dentists and clinics to cover the severe orthodental cases and therapies for a number of children of συν στο πλην. DESMOS also raises teams of volunteers to support the program in several occasions, a precious support to our operations.

BOROUME The Primary School of Acharnai is receiving food aid for its pupils, however due to bad weather conditions, 80 meals remained undistributed. BOROUME bridged the school officials with PRAKSIS and this resulted to providing 80 day center visitors with a healthy meal.

BOROUME has also chanelled food to day center visitors in numerous other occasions.

SXEDIA MAGAZINE The newest street paper in the INSP network was launched in Greece on February 2012. The paper, called SXEDIA (“Raft”) is sold in Athens by homeless and unemployed people living in poverty. A close collaboration with SXEDIA resulting into bridging the day cent

ers’ visitors with the endeavor and in close collaboration with the job counseling part of the day centers, already more than 40 visitors have enrolled in the sales team of the magazine.

Many organizations, teams of volunteers, associations and other NGOs helped us out in this difficult task. We wish to thank them all equally and warmly.

AGHIOS NILOS CHURCH PIRAEUS / ANASSA ZOIS / ATENISTAS / BEL4 GREECE / BOROUME / CITIBANK TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS / COACH NANCY MALLEROU / CULTUEAL ORGANIZATION OF KATAPOLON AMORGOS / DESMOS / DIOGENIS NGO / GREEK BOY SCOUTS / HELLENIC COACHING SOCIETY / HELLENIC MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION / INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL, MEDICAL AND LABOR PREVENTION / MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES / MINISTRY OF HEALTH -ATHENS 2004 EQUIPMENT / MUNICIPAL NURSERY OF ATHENS / MUNICIPALITY OF ATHENS / ONE CHILD ONE WORLD / PRIMARY SCHOOL OF ACHARNAI / SOS VILLAGES / SXEDIA / THE INTERCONTINENTAL ATHENAEUM I-CARE VOLUNTEER TEAM / THE YOUTH SHELTER / THEATROPAREA / VIENNA PHARMACISTS / WORLD PHARMACISTS 65

GLOBAL SUPPORT THE HELLENIC INITIATIVE The Hellenic Initiative (THI) is a global, nonprofit, secular institution whose vision is to mobilize the Greek diaspora and philhellene community to support sustainable economic renewal for Greece and its people. Thus it approved a grant adopting 25 families integrat

ed in the project, covering food aid, rent aid and utility accounts for a six-month period, adding a valuable support to συν στο πλην capacity.

SAVE THE CHILDREN The organization fully undertook the cost of 12 single-parented families integrated in the program for a period of four months and also provided the funds necessary for 12 single-

parented families to have full food aid and psychological support through group .

ECHO 100 PLUS ECHO 100 PLUS undertook the cost to purchase medicine required for the day center clinic’s operation for a period of three months, and also the amount needed to purchase food aid supermarket vouchers for two families for a period of six months. The monetary value of the donation was sourced through the proceedings of the documentary film “Smyrna

the destruction of a cosmopolitan city” directed by Maria Iliou, with the kind mediation of DESMOS. Concerning the medicine purchase, a CSR contribution from a pharmacist in Euboia provided 10% discount in medical supplies to multiply ECHO100 grant.

ITO The Japanese ITO Supporting Comity offered a monetary donation upon its visit to the Day

Center and is considering a grant for further support.

BEL4GR AND TELETRANS S.A. A Belgium women’s organization gathers on a standard basis substantial amounts of clothing, packages it in crates and organizes its

free transport through Teletrans SA corporate social responsibility, to deliver it for distribution to the visitors of the day centers.

HIPP Following the visit of Mag. Katharina Turnauer of the respective fund to the Athens Day Center and her relative mediation to HIPP company, the program received in December 2012 a donation of 364 cartons, 2.146 items, a total of 713 kg of excellent baby food and

items that were distributed to the families integrated in the program and also to homeless families with babies of the day centers. All products were packed and dispensed as Christmas presents.

JP MORGAN CHASE FOUNDATION Monetary donation to support the program and specifically the Social Housing part of the Program contributed in the integration of twenty five families in συν στο πλην.

THE BODY SHOP FOUNDATION The Foundation linked the sales of a specific product (lipgloss) to the program throughout 2013, donating a percentage of its net profits to support the program.

ΤΗΑΝΚ ΥΟU This report could never be complete if we did not pay tribute to all our supporters who silently and in anonymity but so very humanly supported us materially and more importantly ethically.

Mr. T. grew up in a family blessed with many children but deprived from many material goods and even obvious commodities. He is now a successful businessman however always remembers the difficulties his family endured, especially in festive periods. In Christmas he visited the day center and our offices. He carefully and humbly heard us talk about the harshness Christmas was bearing to all these families that could not even provide for their babies milk and diapers. The next day, a supermarket van delivered to our premises a cargo of diapers and powdered milk for all the συν στο πλην families with babies and underwear for the homeless of the day center. More to this, he booked a restaurant and all the συν στο πλην families were invited for Christmas and the New Year, all the children receiving a gift. Mrs E.P. has committed to giving a check on a monthly basis along with the clothes, school items, and toys of her two daughters. She has been “bridged” to a similarly structured family in need, preserving anonymity, and supporting it on a monthly basis. Many Greeks from Europe, the U.S, and even Australia have transferred donations to support the program. Any amount is equally respectable and comes in to resolve a specific problem a family or a homeless has to face. Mr. N.M. graciously offered the memorial donations for his grandmother service for a family supporting an old person. 65

SUPPORT INVOLVEMENT ENGAGEMENT

PRAKSIS has observed a change in the profile of those that seek assistance. They are mostly homeless individuals, or middle class Greeks that are excluded from the public health system. Engaging the general public is essential not only in order to create awareness about the existence of the program and its activities and therefore find other funders or volunteers, but also in order to make people aware of the availability or programs that can provide them with potential ways of dealing with socioeconomic adversity. The magnitude of the Greek financial crisis and its consequences requires multiple partnerships and synergies and the strong involvement of both the private sector and civil society. Close collaboration and cooperation and the creation of a dedicated network of supporters are the factors that will ensure the sustainability of important programs for as long as it is required. Advocavy towards all decision-making entities is also an essential component of engaging the State to initiate affordable solutions that respect the dignity and fundamental rights of its citizens. 65

DONATIONS

BANK TRANSFERS In cases of monetary donations please inform us about your bank transfer synstoplin@praksis.gr)

ALPHABANK Account no 104-00-2002014940 IBAN GR46 0140 1040 0200 2014940 NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE Account no 118/48004864 IBAN GR630110 11800000 11848004864 PIRAEUS BANK

Account no 5039/030/226/803 IBAN GR84 01720390005039030226803 FOR IN KIND DONATIONS and VOLUNTEERISM, please contact us: synstoplin@praksis.gr CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARENESS TRAINING SEMINAR CARRY ON THE MESSAGE

facebook.com/ngopraksis youtube.com/praksisgr 65

SYN STO PLIN Athens

Day Center for the Homeless (Piraeus)

57 Stournari Str. Athens 104 32, Greece Tel. +30 210 5205200 Fax +30 210 5205201

44 Zosimadon Str. Piraeus, 18531Greece Tel. +30 6985866432

SYN STO PLIN Thessaloniki 17 Monastiriou Str. Thessaloniki, 54627, Greece Tel. +30 2310 502777-8 Fax +30 2310 527027 Day Center for the Homeless (Athens) 26-28 Deligiorgi Str. Athens, 104 37 Greece Tel. +30 210 5244574 Fax +30 210 5244579

www.praksis.gr synstoplin@praksis.gr facebook.com/ngopraksis youtube.com/praksisgr