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ARTICLE & HUMAN STORY | The power and role of vocational counselling

Posted on Friday March 14th, 2025

It is midday and S., a young woman, visits the Blue Refugee Centre (BRC) in Thessaloniki, having an appointment at the Employability Service. The 20-year-old from Haiti accompanies a child who seems to be taking his first steps – now and then falling, now and then moving with determination and speed, and curiously searching everything. In the Counsellor’s office, after the welcome and the first questions, Mom is split into two: she talks to the Counsellor and watches the child. Soon the Counsellor notices something special. The mother becomes aware of her child’s presence not so much with her eyes but with her hands. She also notices that while the young woman is watching her, she seems to not be focusing well. A short time later, S. confirms that she has a problem with her vision and pulls out a pair of broken glasses from her bag. She reports that she had been given them by a service in Kos Island two years ago, but the baby has broken them.

But the hard times don’t stop there. Two weeks ago, the Social Service of the BRC had referred S. to a shelter, as she and her baby were living on the street. The time frame of her stay was running out and she was also having problems with her papers.

In all these situations there was no room or time to deal with the glasses, nor was she interested in seeing better. She adapted to the condition and didn’t think it was a big deal. The Counsellor asked her if she would like to find a solution to her vision issue and the answer was positive, as she was positive about seeing an ophthalmologist at a public hospital one of the following days, when the Centre’s multidisciplinary team worked together and managed to make an emergency appointment for the woman.

The job search request was active, and communication and processing continued over the next few days. S. had now visited the ophthalmologist, and it appeared that she was suffering from a very severe myopia that had affected her nerve and required surgery. The counselling process continues, while social support to which S. is entitled has been sought and utilised.

S. is actively looking for work by applying for jobs and attending interviews where she makes sure to leave the child with a friend she trusts. The surgery has not yet been done and is not a priority for her at this time.

The role of vocational counselling

Vocational counselling as an intervention is called upon to consider all the different and often conflicting or unknown identities or needs of the person being counselled.

Balancing between personal and work life, mental and physical health, the relationship between motherhood and work experience, gendered social dynamics at work, are issues that arise during the process and concern the person being counselled, without often being able or having the time to acknowledge their existence, as S.. The role of the counsellor is often to be able to shed light on those aspects of life that are there and perhaps not addressed by the person themselves and to facilitate their awareness and broadening of options.

Also, counselling in vulnerable groups requires, as shown above, the collaboration of more than one specialist, in the so-called holistic approach. Just as the human body functions on the principle that each organ does its own work, yet they all work together for the same purpose, so too the group as a ‘living’ organism made up of members, each of whom is essential to the well-being of the whole.

Job counselling, as stated in the SolidarityNow Employability Service’s Methodology Guide, is the support of the individual in order to develop professionally and to face obstacles or difficulties related to the choice of profession and integration in the labour market. The other departments and teams of the Centre have different responsibilities and scopes but share a common purpose: the autonomy and integration of the beneficiaries.

While this story is not meant to be the only indicative intervention, the conclusions of the Counsellor drawn from it are:

The importance of active listening in counselling has helped to bring to the surface an issue and barrier affecting the request for work.
Holistic intervention in a counselled request – with their consent – seems to facilitate and bring results.
Intervention that respects choice and focuses on the needs of the beneficiary and his/her priorities is more flexible and is also rated as more helpful.

ARTICLE | HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 10/12: “WHAT ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE BECOMING?”

Posted on Friday January 10th, 2025

“What are all these people becoming?”

Valia Savvidou, Communications Manager

The people whom we see on the street are helpless, those we hear about who are burdened, others whose stories make us say “but can this happen?”, “how many misfortunes in one person”?

But then we go on with our own life, which also has its difficulties, even if it is much better and we are much more privileged than our fellow man. Are we apathetic? Seconds we show a safe compassion and then forget, or is life smarter, in its speed and violence, that we are forced into this behavior?

All, probably. Life happens, is fast and each person tries their best, as they mean it. But there are also the inherent oddities, the apparent deviations of a world that moves but at varying speeds, not the same for everyone, and certainly not such as to drive everyone forward. On the contrary, in too many cases speed translates into an ever-worsening situation, a situation that holds people back, or at best stagnant.

Where one is born, whether one is brought up in democratic or non-democratic conditions – family and social -, whether where one grows up has access to basic goods for human existence, whether one has access to human fundamentals, is decisive.

And yet, the man always fights it, even if he scores zero in all the above. He thinks, he dreams, he leaves, he emigrates, he looks for a better life. And what else can he do? It is up to inconceivable to the human mind that man can pause – give up any effort to exist, improve and evolve. He cannot stop. I wonder if he stopped, how would things be? There would probably be no things to wonder about. There would be nothing. This article would not be written either, there would be no object of reflection, no need to make sense of a non-existent life.

So, what are all these people doing in a world that is running at breakneck speed and in an age that does not seem to accept quiet, healthy reflection, attention, concentration, focus and almost demands that we be mostly happy, content and show it?

Our fellow human beings in need are left behind by this world and its times. It seems as if they are not part of them, but they are, and importantly so. And it is evident that the increase in the number of vulnerable people is very large and inversely proportional to the hysterical intensity of the climate of euphoria that is socially sought.

And this is where the human being comes in again. The one who is in a more advantageous position than the other but cares.

Perhaps it is one’s duty to ensure that no one is left behind; for our position in the world is not fixed and given. That is why caring and practical solidarity with our fellow human beings is the right way, the central avenue for moving from the individual to the collective, from our small world to the big one, to the one that includes everyone, cares for them, accepts them, stands by them. This is also the world of the so-called Civil Society – some people who, on their own initiative, have created groups and organized communities to support their fellow human beings in need.

The above, possibly utopian, one might say (but why not after all?!), is what drives SolidarityNow’s work, which has found a way to make it tangible through the Solidarity Centers it created a few years ago, precisely for this purpose. To stand by people and their needs, to listen to them, to give them a voice, hope, perspective and solutions. To leave no one behind.

The work of the Centers is enormous compared to the years of their operation. Admittedly difficult years for Greece and the whole world, but still the work is extremely important. And just as behind the work of any important Civil Society organisation there are not only impressive numbers, so too at SolidarityNow the lives of our fellow human beings that are being changed are impressive.

And now, as this article is being written at the Athens Solidarity Center, we find the files of the last 20 days of the Social Service, and we read the stories of seven people and the things that make you wonder “how many more misfortunes”. And yet in the results section of the stories things are promising for all seven people! Their lives have changed within the Center, they have found the support they needed, “they were not left behind”.

Greeks, migrants, refugees were supported, and they are succeeding! Their lives seem not to end, obstacles seem not to halt them, but to be a new beginning.

Maybe something can finally be done for all the people in need, if we work and care about it. And maybe that’s because we all need the concern of others, especially in our time of need. So, let’s not leave anyone behind, let’s find our common ground, which is far more numerous than our differences. Let’s try.

*Since August 1st, 2023, the operation of the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow is supported by the Swiss-Greek Cooperation Programme (Embassy of Switzerland in Greece) to reducing economic and social disparities in the EU and by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

**The Athens Solidarity Center is also supported by the Municipality of Athens.

A never-ending migratory route… A story of a member of the Albanian community in Greece

Posted on Monday November 4th, 2024

A 59-year-old man from Albania, without education and certifications; with a wife and a child both with a disability of more than 50%.

Or to put it another way: a middle-aged man, with family burdens, no formal qualifications and of foreign origin. How many vulnerabilities can one man have? How many obstacles to remove in order to survive?

Mr. D. visited the Employability Service of the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow requesting help in filling in forms for public sector notices. At least now he has got the Greek citizenship. In Albania he was a graduate of compulsory education and has experience in manual work.

Analysing the vulnerabilities, things look difficult. On the one hand, his age, although not objectively advanced, is an obstacle to finding work in the private sector, particularly in manual work. In addition, his lack of formal qualifications prevents him from applying for higher-paid positions. His compulsory school certificate by his country has not been recognized, and his main vulnerability is the exclusive care of his wife and child, and their total dependence on him.

However, at the same time, the certified disability of his family members, combined with his own unemployment, enables him to apply for public sector jobs involving people with disabilities and their guardians.

Thus, the plan, designed and developed with Mr. D. and the employability counselors of the Service, was in the first phase to create a profile and post documents on the ASEP website (Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection) with which the non-tech savvy beneficiaries need support. The second step was to search for advertisements that included compulsory education positions without a baccalaureate degree, while also applying for fixed-term jobs.

The search was intensive, and Mr. D. himself was particularly consistent and reliable in the meetings. However, the efforts of himself and of the Service’s counselors soon bore fruit, as he was accepted for a position as a cleaner in the Municipality of Egaleo!

We thank him for his trust and wish him a great new start in his new job!

*Since August 1st, 2023, the operation of the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow is supported by the Swiss-Greek Cooperation Programme/Embassy of Switzerland in Greece to reducing economic and social disparities in the EU and by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

**The Center is also supported by the Municipality of Athens.

PRESS RELEASE | Invitation to an opening party: A woman from Iraq creates her own “myth” in Thessaloniki

Posted on Friday October 25th, 2024

UNHCR and SolidarityNow invite you to celebrate with her!

“Ustura”, which means “myth” in Arabic, is the name of the restaurant that Shaimaa Al Kinani is opening, and she is celebrating with an opening party on October 31st at 15:30, 29 Valaoritou Street, in the center of Thessaloniki.

After four years in Greece, Shaimaa’s love for cooking and her need to create her own space led her to seek support from the Employability Service of the Blue Refugee Centre (BRC) of SolidarityNow in Thessaloniki.

There, through the BRC Livelihoods programme, implemented in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the employability counselors stood by Shaimaa’s side, step by step, helping her turn her dream into reality.

From obtaining the necessary permits and documents, to communicating with the relevant authorities, offering advice on entrepreneurship in Greece, and providing daily emotional support to a woman striving for autonomy through her work, the Employment Service counselors were Shaimaa’s allies.

Therefore, together, Shaimaa and the partners from SolidarityNow and UNHCR invite the residents of Thessaloniki to a celebration for the opening of her restaurant, which is also an invitation to a celebration of cultures, acceptance, and recognition!

We look forward to seeing you!

An Inverse Relation: Age and Job Pursuit

Posted on Wednesday September 11th, 2024

Looking for a job is a challenge for everyone and for some population groups it can involve additional difficulties. Oleg, a 62-year-old civil engineer from Ukraine, is one of the beneficiaries of the Athens Solidarity Center. Despite speaking Greek and having extensive experience in his field, as well as in other areas, he has yet to find a job in Greece. “I feel like they don’t see me as a person with skills and experience, but as someone ‘old’ that time has overtaken him“, confesses in frustration.

Oleg’s story is not the only one of course.

Recently, the Employability Service team has supported many men and women over 60 who are struggling to re-enter the labor market despite their knowledge and skills.

Challenges for those Over 60 in the Job Market

Age often acts as an invisible barrier, leading many people to feel like their professional life has reached a dead end. Employers frequently view age as a disadvantage, assuming that older workers may not be flexible enough or may have difficulties adapting to new technologies. In some cases, there is a bias that older workers won’t remain productive for many more years.

However, this mindset is not only unfair but also detrimental to society and the economy. Older workers possess experience, skills, and expertise that are often lacking in younger employees. Their inclusion in the workforce could be a significant asset for businesses.

How Employability Counsellors Support Inclusion

The Employability Team at the Athens Solidarity Center works daily to support people like Oleg in overcoming obstacles and re-entering the labor market. The employment advisors provide personalized support, including:

Training in Modern Technologies: Offering information on seminars and training programs related to acquiring digital skills, essential for meeting the modern demands of employers.
CV Adaptation and Improvement: Assisting with tailoring resumes, highlighting the skills and experiences most relevant for each job.
Empowerment and Interview Preparation: Preparing beneficiaries for job interviews, showcasing their strengths, and boosting their confidence.
Networking Opportunities: Helping to build professional networks and relationships that may lead to new employment opportunities.

Opportunities and Solutions

It is essential to support the inclusion of all age groups in the labor market. Education and training can play a crucial role. For example, specialized training programs for upskilling or promoting job mobility could provide those over 60 with the opportunities they need to re-enter the workforce.

Through the Employability Service, we continue to support everyone seeking employment, regardless of age. Because social cohesion and fair access to the labor market are the grounds of a healthy society.

ARTICLE | People without documents in their own country

Posted on Wednesday July 31st, 2024

Living in obscurity, without any official documentation like a birth certificate, can be an incredibly challenging and isolating experience. For many, it means a lack of access to basic rights and services that most people take for granted. Imagine the inability to enroll in school, access healthcare, find legal employment, or even prove your identity. This is a harsh reality for many individuals, including people like Mrs. S., a 65y Roma from Greece, mother and grandmother.

For Mrs. S., not having a birth certificate meant 65 years of invisibility within her own country. She was unregistered, with no legal recognition of her existence. This situation is not just a bureaucratic hurdle; it’s a profound social and psychological burden. Being unrecognized by the state can make someone feel like they don’t belong anywhere, living on the fringes of society with limited opportunities and constant uncertainty.

The journey to obtain a birth certificate, especially after so many years, is often a complex and arduous process. It involves navigating legal systems that may seem opaque and intimidating, particularly for those with limited education or resources. However, organizations like Solidarity Now through the Athens Solidarity Center program provide critical support. Through the legal service of Athens Solidarity Center, we help individuals like Mrs. S. navigate the legal maze to finally gain recognition and the ability to claim their rights.

For Mrs. S., the successful issuance of her birth certificate through the Athens Magistartes Court’s voluntary jurisdiction procedure marked a significant turning point. It was not just a piece of paper but a key to unlock a new chapter of her life. With this document, she could finally appear in the official state archives, a recorded and recognized individual with the ability to access rights and services previously denied to her.

This story underscores the importance of legal recognition and its profound impact on an individual’s life. It’s a reminder of the many invisible barriers that exist in our societies and the critical need for support systems to help those who live in the shadows gain their rightful place in the world.

**The Center is also supported by the Municipality of Athens.

From Guinea to Greece

Posted on Thursday June 27th, 2024

by the Athens Solidarity Center

A doctor from Guinea finds a job in Greece, always hoping that tomorrow will be better for him.

B., a 36-year-old French-speaking asylum seeker in Greece, studied medicine and worked as a pathologist in hospitals in Guinea and in non-governmental organizations working there.

But life in Guinea is far from easy. In a country that, according to Transparency International, is among the world’s leaders in corruption (https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022/index/gin), it was not easy to remain in a decent and safe life.

He came to Greece and immediately visited the Athens Solidarity Center, requesting a job and stating that he is willing to do any job underlying the language barrier. The Centre’s expert job counsellors immediately responded to his request, unfortunately discovering another problem for B. His medical degree from a Guinean educational institution cannot unfortunately be recognized in Greece.

However, B. was not discouraged and, in his desire, to make a new start he found the people of the Centre’s employment service to be his optimistic supporters. The information in his CV was immediately updated and translated from French into English. Afterwards, they discussed with him the available jobs from the companies belonging to the network of partner companies with the employment service and in a few days the result came!

B.’s insistence on sending CVs paid off and yesterday his job counsellor received the message that he got a job at an smelter company, and he is already happy! B. is an example that personal will combined with the right support brings only positive results! And we are sure that B. will constantly achieve something better for himself because he is determined to do so!

**The Center is also supported by the Municipality of Athens.

Solidarity: a “service” that is not hindered by distance

Posted on Thursday June 6th, 2024

by the Athens Solidarity Center

Klaudi came from Albania to Greece six months ago and was hosted by her relatives. Shortly after her arrival in the country, at the age of 41, she was diagnosed with cancer, which led to her immediate hospitalization in the hospital of the South Aegean Island where she lived.

In the meantime, the date for her interview with the asylum service for her residence permit was approaching.

The role of the Athens Solidarity Centre

The social service of the hospital contacted our Center and we immediately undertook the support of Klaudi. Her health condition required the postponement of the interview. Immediately, we informed the asylum service to ensure that the woman would have access to the necessary medical care and after a few days, we managed to issue the necessary legal documents and social security number.

The date of her interview was moved, giving Klaudi the time she needed to focus on her health.

However, a re-contact from the hospital’s social services department informed us of her serious health relapse. The decision to return to Albania to be close to her family was a one-way street and was facilitated by the Centre’s services.

We hope that Klaudi’s health adventure will have a happy ending and that she will regain her strength and optimism to pursue her dreams.

Klaudi’s story is another example of our ongoing efforts to stand by the side of people in need and ensure that they receive the care and support they need.

Our dedication to this cause is non-negotiable.

**The Center is also supported by the Municipality of Athens.

Finding solid ground: The holistic support as the first step to success

Posted on Monday May 13th, 2024

A., a 45-year-old artist from Greece approached the Athens Solidarity Center’s services in the beginning of 2024, seeking for a more stable job with reliable salary payments. He started his sessions with the employment counselor, prepared his CV, and successfully participated in the Job Fair organized by SolidarityNow and Odyssea, where on-site interviews took place.

A few weeks later, he revisited ASC seeking an urgent appointment with the employability counselor. Visibly disturbed and nearly in shock, he reported a legal issue that had suddenly arisen, plunging him into despair.

The circle of solidarity for A.

During the session, he was referred to the psychological team in order to be empowered as well as to the legal team to proceed with the necessary legal actions. The lawyer described the next steps he needed to follow, and simultaneously, he started collaborating with the psychologist.

His CV was distributed by the employability counselors to the network of private sector partner companies, increasing his chances of being called for an interview. One month after the initial meeting, we contacted A. and he informed us that he got permanent employment at a hotel complex!

**The Center is also supported by the Municipality of Athens.

Transition to Adulthood: The Role of Psychological Support

Posted on Tuesday April 9th, 2024

The journey to adulthood is often filled with obstacles and challenges. At the Psychological Support Service of the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow, our specialized psychologists directly engage with the difficulties of this transitional phase, particularly as many of our beneficiaries fall within the age range of 18 to 23 years old.

Within our service, we support a diverse range of individuals, each grappling with their own unique life circumstances, experiences, and challenges. From refugees to survivors of forced marriage, from single-parent households to individuals struggling with identity issues and problematic relationships, our beneficiaries face a multitude of adversities. Often, they present with serious symptoms of anxiety, depression or withdrawal, alongside psychosomatic manifestations, all while navigating a process of self-discovery and self-definition.

In this context, we firmly believe that providing psychological support is paramount for effectively aiding young people during this critical juncture in their lives. However, our commitment extends beyond mere psychological assistance. The Athens Solidarity Center adopts a holistic approach, offering a comprehensive package of services designed to address the multifaceted needs of our beneficiaries.

Whether it’s addressing mental health challenges, tackling financial difficulties, fulfilling family obligations, or pursuing educational aspirations, our goal remains constant: to provide steadfast support and guidance for empowering young individuals as they traverse the intricate path of adulthood.

For us, the journey to adulthood is not merely a transition—it’s a transformation—a journey toward self-awareness and growth. With unwavering dedication, we walk alongside our young beneficiaries, offering solace, encouragement, and steadfast support.

**Since August 2022, the Athens Solidarity Center is financed by EEA Grants with ΣΟΛ Crowe and HumanRights360 as the fund operator.

***The Center is also supported by the Municipality of Athens.