ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Category: HOMEPAGE
World Mental Health Day | October 10th
Steven Tagle
Psychological Support for All
Psychological support is the most unappreciated service of the public health system in our country and elsewhere. As a result, most of the people do not have access to mental health services. In fact, those who get such support are only the ones who can afford to appeal to a private psychologist alongside the existence of a supportive friendly and/or family environment. If we also consider the stigma associated with mental illness or even with the suspicion of a mental disorder, we realize that this is an extremely complex issue.
At SolidarityNow, on the occasion of the World Mental Health Day on October 10th, we want to underline the importance of providing support to people with mental health problems and present how we do this through the Psychological Counseling & Psychotherapy Service, which operates in the organization’s Solidarity Centers in Athens and Thessaloniki.
SolidarityNow proudly has succeeded to offer psychological support through its Solidarity Centers to everyone who asks for it; mental health service is accessible to all without discrimination and is provided pro bono.
More precisely, the Psychological Counseling & Psychotherapy Service in Athens consists of three (3) psychologists who provide individual counseling and psychotherapy; coordinate groups of mutual support of individuals with common cultural characteristics; interconnect people with the other services offered within the Solidarity Center and refer them to other external services if this is considered essential. Referrals to psychiatrists are frequent and the beneficiaries are accompanied by a psychologist and an interpreter, if necessary; in the case of required medication, this is also offered by the service when the beneficiary cannot afford it himself.
Mental health services were included in the operational design of the Solidarity Centers on the basis of the holistic approach of people in need. During the last two years, our psychologists at the SolidarityNow Center in Athens have coordinated many cases conducting hundreds of sessions, accompaniments and referrals. Since November 2016 and until August 2018, our team supported 2,752 people with 5,600 sessions and 628 referrals.
But what is the most important is what takes place beyond numbers – it’s the relationship of trust between therapists and beneficiaries. Their common hope for each beneficiary’s better future has as a guide and partner the team of the Psychological Counseling & Psychotherapy Service of SolidarityNow.
* The Athens Solidarity Center offers a comprehensive set of pro bono services to anyone in need, meaning that the Center is accessible to all people regardless of nationality, religion, ethnic origin, social status, sexual orientation. This wide set includes social, psychological and legal services, employability counseling, accounting support, perinatal care, special therapies (occupational and speech therapy). Priority is given to the most vulnerable population groups: unaccompanied minors, single parent families and pregnant women, victims of sexual abuse and trafficking, members of the LGBT community.
Read below the stories of the #ibelieveinme series which is dedicated to some of those who seeked psychological support at the Athens Solidarity Center.
- “I AM VERY HAPPY WHEN I COME TO THE SOLIDARITY CENTER”
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“I WAS ALWAYS SENSIBLE, BUT NOW I ALSO MANAGE TO REMAIN COMPOSED”
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«MY ACCUMULATED ANGER SUFFOCATED ME. TODAY I SHARE MY STORY AND RECEIVE SIGNIFICANT HELP»
SKAI RADIO: ANTIGONE LYBERAKI AT ARIS PORTOSALTE SHOW
Ms. Antigone Lyberaki, #SolidarityNow General Manager was invited at Aris Portosalte (SKAI radio) show about the research carried out by a competent EU body to examine the management of Community funds for the refugee crisis in Greece and the related Petition submitted by the organization to the European Parliament in March 2017.
Listen (26.22” έως 35.53”) to the interview here
Start Now your dream career as a Computer and Network Technician!
Giorgos Moutafis for SolidarityNow
Technology and computers are now a part of our everyday life. Most of jobs today require the handling of computers and other devices. There is an even bigger need for specialized knowledge of computer support.
SolidarityNow, is a certified CISCO Networking Academy, and has the opportunity to offer a variety of CISCO courses free of charge for its students.
Through CISCO-approved educational materials, SolidarityNow and CISCO gives you the opportunity to study and prepare for Computer Engineering positions with the skills required in the market now!
Offered seminars starting October 2018
IT Essentials
Linux Essentials
At the end of the seminars you will be better prepared to work as: IT support technician, IT Administrator, Computer Technician, Computer Sales Officer, Computer Help Desk, System Administrator, Network Administrator, IT Specialist, IT Engineer. In addition, you will have all the knowledge to advance your career in more specialized networking issues.
Whom does the program address?
The Cisco Education Programs are addressed to everyone.
They enable those who follow it to be a step ahead in the labor market and to obtain the necessary skills to work as computer and network technicians in environments such as businesses, public services, educational institutions, or freelancers in the field of technical computer support.
The seminars include:
- Practical training
- Complete Cisco-approved educational material
- Access to the Cisco Learning Platform
Cost
Participation in seminars is free of charge for all participants.
Location
The seminars will take place at the Intercultural Center Diadromes at 26 Boukouvala str. in Ampelokipoi– in collaboration with Almasar and the support of the Development Forum.
*The project is implemented with the support of the Hellenic American Union (Cisco Academy Support Center and Instructor Training Center), and also the support of the largest networking company, CISCO.
Learn more about the seminar you want to attend and submit your participation by sending the relevant online form
Learn more about the IT ESSENTIALS seminar
Learn more about the LINUX ESSENTIALS seminar
APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED. THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION
SolidarityNow invites everyone to a recycling workshop of plastic materials!
We are waiting for you on Saturday, September 29th, from 11.00 to 13.00, to share with you a unique experience through an awareness and experimentation workshop on the recycling/up-cycling of plastic materials!
SolidarityNow, in collaboration with Electra Energy Cooperative and Precious Plastic Greece, organizes a workshop aiming at raising awareness and providing experimentation on the recycling/up-cycling of plastic materials. The action will take place at the Intercultural Center “Diadromes”, 26, Boukouvala Str., in Ambelokipi, where SolidarityNow offers educational programs open to all, in the framework of the Education Matters initiative, in partnership with Almasar and with the support of the Development Forum.
Take a plastic product with you and see it transformed using cutting, melting and recycling of plastic materials machines! At this open to the public event, the participants will be informed about creative recycling and will have the chance, with the guidance of the experts, to transform the useless plastic materials into something new, inspired and useful!
How? A plastic bag, a plastic bottle, a plastic cup will get a different form and utility with the recycling machines of Precious Plastic Greece and the experts’ guidance.
The action is linked to the Goal 12 on “Responsible Consumption and Production”, one of the 17 Goals set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the UN, and the event is a joint event of SolidarityNow and the Hellenic Platform for Development.
**In the framework of the lifelong learning program entitled “Education Matters”, implemented by SolidarityNow since December 2017, the organization adapts actions that respond to the participants’ everyday needs and enhance their skills set as one of its objectives, access to labor market. Already, during 2017, more than 2,200 people in Athens and Thessaloniki participated at the SolidarityNow programs, mainly to learn the Greek and English languages; numbers have been increasing gradually in 2018.
** The Intercultural Center “Diadromes” is located at 26 Boukouvala str., Ampelokipoi–Gyzi.
#NailedIt
Glossy and matte polish nail, shine, oval or square shaped nails, French or simple manicure and many other techniques. Who does not like to take care of his/her nails? Manicure-pedicure has not only to do with beauty and grooming; above all, it involves our health, and besides, it is an art that is taught and can also become a means of livelihood, as it is one of the most modern and lucrative professions.
It’s in SolidarityNow’s philosophy and priority to encourage our beneficiaries to develop life skills. At their request, we designed a manicure-pedicure training course. Through our Educational Program we decided to offer them the opportunity to attend a free of charge, 60 hours, manicure-pedicure training course at the “Institute of Professional Development”, a vocational training center in Thessaloniki. 15 migrants and refugees (14 women and 1 man) have attended theoretical and practical classes. They have learned aesthetic treatments and other techniques for the toe and finger nails. They have been granted with a diploma that gives them the opportunity to pursue a job as professional nail technicians – artists.
Sana and Amber from Pakistan and Ibrahim from Syria are 3 of the 15 refugees and migrants who attended the training course; along with their teacher Konstantina, they talk about their experience and professional dreams.
At SolidarityNow we support and help migrants, refugees and unemployed Greeks to find a job and get linked with the labor market.
* The Blue Refugee Center is supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and UNICEF and funded by the European Union Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO).
** The SolidarityNow Education Program is implemented with the support of UNICEF and the European Union Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO).
Help is no crime: stand with volunteers against the criminalisation of solidarity
The arrest of Sarah Mardini and Seán Binder is the latest case of a worrying trend towards the criminalisation of solidarity in Europe. The two volunteers were arrested by the Greek authorities on 21 August for helping refugees and migrants arriving by sea on Lesbos island. With this joint letter, European civil society organisations call on the Greek authorities to release Sarah and Sean while their trial is pending.
Sarah Mardini and Seán Binder – who are accused of smuggling by Greek Authorities – are currently in pre-trial detention. Sarah became known when she and her sister pulled a boat to safety and saved a dozen refugees in 2015. Like many individuals and organisations providing support and first aid to migrants and refugees across Europe, the two volunteers could face jail time.
European civil society actors have continuously opposed the intimidation and punishment of volunteers and non-governmental organisations. State practices that criminalise EU citizens for their solidarity with migrants and refugees are intolerable and risk our fundamental European values of justice and human rights.
Charges against Sarah and Seán occur in a broader context of a pan-European trend towards criminalising solidarity. As part of the #WelcomingEurope European Citizens’ Initiative, hundreds of civil society organisations and thousands of European citizens are fighting back against these restrictive policies that have created a hostile environment for people who help refugees and migrants.
Through this official EU tool, 1 million signatures from European citizens have the power to get the European Commission to comply with our joint-demand: end the criminalisation of solidarity acts across Europe.
Join the call to #FreeSarahAndSean
Tell EU leaders that helping people in need is no crime by signing the petition: www.weareawelcomingeurope.eu
Follow and share: #HelpIsNoCrime #FreeSarahAndSean
Signatories
| 1. Migration Policy Group
2. Picum 3. VolontEurope 4. JRS 5. Emmaüs Europe 6. AEDH 7. Sick of waiting 8. CCME 9. Migrant Voice 10. International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe 11. Refugees Welcome Denmark 12. Maisha e.V. African Women in Germany 13. Association for Integration and Migration 14. Federación SOS Racismo 15. Center for Legal Aid – Voice in Bulgaria 16. FLEX 17. La Strada International 18. Consortium of Migrants Assisting Organizations 19. Health Centre for Undocumented Migrants 20. Medinetz Mainz e.V. 21. Verenigde Protestantse Kerk in België – Eglise Protestante Unie de Belgique 22. Jugendliche ohne Grenzen – Youth without borders 23. Rosengrenska 24. LEGIS Volunteers 25. Medibüro Kiel e.V 26. Secours Catholique 27. Parents International 28. Borderline-Europe 29. Afrique Culture Maroc
|
30. Stichting LOS
31. SB OverSeas 32. The Salvation Army Europe 33. ForumFer 34. Menedek 35. J&P 36. SOS Racism 37. ASTI 38. Greek Council for Refugees 39. Mundo en Movimiento 40. SolidarityNow 41. HIAS 42. Human rights league 43. La Cimade 44. Oxfam Belgium 45. Passerell 46. Liga voor de Rechten van de Mens – Dutch League for Human Rights 47. CNCD 48. Positive Action 49. European Network of Migrant Women 50. New Europeans 51. Hellenic League for human rights 52. LIDU- Lega italiana dei Diritti dell’Uomo 53. Oxfam Germany 54. Welcoming Europe: Per un’Europa che accoglie 55. Réseau Education Sans Frontières 56. Ligue des droits de l’Homme 57. League for Human Rights – Civitas 58. ENAR 59. JRS Greece 60. The Greek Forum of Refugees |
SolidarityNow calls for immediate actions to improve the living conditions of refugees at Thiva’s Open Accommodation Site
Giorgos Moutafis for SolidarityNow
The recent death of the three-year-old boy, at Thiva’s Open Accommodation Site, is a fact that must signal the danger to all of us and activate the authorities to prevent such tragic events in the future, SolidarityNow states. Moreover, it underlines the need for immediate action to improve people’s living conditions in the site.
SolidarityNow is present in the site with an experienced team providing a wide range of free supporting services; based on the refugees’ needs, we are deeply concerned about the following:
– the accommodation of people with severe medical problems and pregnant women at the Center, under inappropriate conditions where their basic needs are not met, and a dignified life is not secured
– serious deficiencies in the provision of primary healthcare, including the absence of refugee transport at Thiva’s public hospital. The currently provided medical services, including pharmaceutical care, remain unsatisfactory and do not respond to the population’s needs.
– the lack of regular and free means of transportation to the city center, which forces people into isolation while also causing particularly vulnerable population groups (elderly, children, patients) to walk long distances in often dangerous conditions.
The organizations which operate daily in refugee and asylum seekers’ accommodation sites have one common goal: to protect people’s lives and not being faced with the death of people seeking a new life in our country.
We, at SolidarityNow, express our deepest condolences to the little boy’s family. His loss is a loss for all of us.
*SolidarityNow intervenes at Thiva’s Open Accommodation Site since June 2017, by providing supporting services to vulnerable population groups – families and children – through the Family and Child Support Hubs (the program is being implemented with the support of Unicef).
#ArtIsMyLife: How Art builds bridges and promotes harmonious integration
Giorgos Moutafis for SolidarityNow
SolidarityNow presents its new video about “Perle Music”, a band formed by refugees
On the occasion of the World Refugee Day on June 20th and the European Music Day on June 21st, SolidarityNow introduces 9 Congolese and Guinean artists through the #ArtIsMyLife project. For them, their art is their life.
Moria, Richard, Theresa, Giselle, Sara, Sami, Momo, Armond and Abdul, found support and are currently supported by the organization’s programs in Northern Greece – the Accommodation and Hosting Program in Thessaloniki and the Child & Family Support Hubs Program in Volvi Accommodation Scheme. Today, they talk about their love for poetry, painting, music and writing.
SolidarityNow collaborates with the photojournalist Giorgos Moutafis and who documented the recording of two songs performed by refugees at a recording studio in Thessaloniki. The songs were performed by the “Perle Music”, a music band that was formed by Congolese refugees, during their stay at Volvi Accommodation Scheme. For Richard, Moria and Theresa “Art concerns us all”.
In this short video presented by SolidarityNow, art proves to be an extremely important part in life. Through Art, people can confess their pain, their wrath, their fears, but also their dreams. For these 9 artists, art has been therapeutic, it helped them stand up for themselves, to try/fight/aim for the best, and dream for the future.
The #ArtIsMyLife project wants to remind us something very important; that in this life, nothing has a single dimension. Everything has a complement. No one is just a refugee or an asylum seeker or a migrant, he/she is always something more. He/she can also be a great poet, or a painter, or a writer, or a philosopher and musician.
Since May 2017, SolidarityNow is supporting the 9 artists from Congo and the whole community of refugees at Volvi Accommodation Scheme through the Child and Family Support Hubs program and the Accommodation & Hosting Program in Thessaloniki. Since 2016, SolidarityNow, has provided accommodation and support to more than 6,000 refugees and asylum seekers.
Read the stories of the 9 artists from Guinea and Congo here.
* The Accommodation Program is implemented by SolidarityNow and is part of the ESTIA Support Program for Integration and Housing of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and funded by the European Union Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO).
** The Child and Family Support Hubs program is implemented by SolidarityNow, supported by UNICEF and funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations /ECHO.
*** The Organisation Internationale De La Francophonie (OIF) finances French language courses for asylum seekers in Athens and Thessaloniki.
**** The organization of Iliaktida was responsible for the management of the Volvi Accommodation Scheme along with UNHCR’s support, through IATAP.
Let us help them!
Greece joins a pan-European coalition that aims to reflourish solidarity and respect towards refugees
Athens, 23rd May 2018 – For the first time, a coalition of 130 civil society organisations have launched a European Citizen’s Initiative (ECI) for a shift in migration policy. The aim of the We are a Welcoming Europe campaign is to collect 1 million signatures in at least 7 Member States; compel Europe to consider our proposals; and adopt a more humane and realistic approach towards the major challenge of migration.
The campaign that is being launched today in Greece with the support of several civil society organisations, is based on two main principles: it seeks to put the European citizen at the heart of migration policy and to reinforce the rights of migrants and refugees. Through this initiative, European citizens are given the chance to have a more active role in shaping migration policy at the local and national level. The campaign has three specific requests:
- Support the citizens and volunteers that want to help refugees;
- Put an end to the “crime of solidarity” which is in practice by several EU Member States, including Greece;
- Ensure respect for the fundamental rights of migrants and asylum seekers, by reinforcing the complaint mechanisms regarding labour exploitation and other abuses by European border guards.
Sign the petition now
At the turn of the 21st century, migration has become a major issue for our societies. It is becoming increasingly clear that an appropriate response can only come from a common European policy. However, Member States have not had a coordinated response on the issue of the reception of men, women and children who are fleeing all kinds of violence and look for safety in Europe.
On 15 December 2017, seven European citizens submitted to the European Commission the first European Citizen’s Initiative on migration. They represent the voices of all those who disagree with Europe’s migration policies and aim to initiate together a policy shift. Today, we, the citizens of Greece and Europe, are raising our voices so that we can welcome and advocate for those who are in need, regardless of their legal status or nationality and without fear of being prosecuted.
The first partner organisations in Greece:
Actionaid
Caritas Hellas
Greek Forum of Refugees
HIAS
Jesuit Refugee Service
Klimaka
SolidarityNow
Terre des hommes