The Victoria Community Center welcomes 300+ daily visitors who come to access services provided by NGO partners (legal, mental health, medical, housing, education, and others) and also to enjoy a hot meal, use WiFi, and hang out in a safe, welcoming environment. One Happy Family opened the center in April 2022 and has since covered most of the rent and security costs. Now that they are dissolving, the NGO partners must raise funds to keep the doors open beyond April.
Under one roof, people in vulnerable situations can access all the services they need to feel safe and, in between appointments, they can relax and enjoy refreshments in a cheerful environment. Whether seeking asylum application guidance or access to essential services like healthcare or housing, our in-house NGO partners are here to assist with their specific needs (legal, medical, housing etc.). However, we only have funds to keep the center open through April.
The money we raise through this microproject will extend operations for six months, allowing partners to seek grants and additional funding to continue the project. In 2023, new arrivals seeking refuge in Greece increased 226 % over the previous year, meaning more people than ever need the support they have come to rely on through the Victoria Community Center. We are determined not to let them down.
The project provides a lifeline to individuals and families without access to public services or the job market while their asylum claims are pending. Even recognized refugees only have 30 days (down from 6 months) to secure a job and find housing before losing all state support. Our community center connects some of the most vulnerable to services that prevent them from falling through the cracks while enabling them to gain the confidence, skills, and knowledge needed to build a new life.
