WINTER APPEAL: Shelter for single mothers

Every day, single mothers come to us asking for help finding accommodation so their children don't have to sleep outside. They are among the least supported vulnerable displaced populations in the country, and have an especially hard time finding supported housing, because most shelters do not accept children. Not only this, but it's hard to  find employment because they have no childcare  and they are at risk of social exclusion, exploitation and trafficking. 

Thanks to your support, we have launched our safe housing project. We welcomed the first two mothers with their three children recently, and they are on their way to  rebuilding their lives. Beyond a roof over their head this project provides them with tailored assistance to build a secure future. Families will be supported with access to food and basic necessities, childcare, employability support, language classes, and other services to facilitate their integration into Greek society. Our team of social workers and intercultural mediators will be there to help them tackle any challenges that come along the way.

*Noemie, her twelve year old son and her nine year old daughter are now happily settled in their new home. She had fled Congo two years ago and had been in the camp until 3 months ago when she received her refugee status. Suddenly after 18 months of waiting for her asylum claim to be approved she was faced with having to find a job, a house and pay a deposit to rent a house within 30 days, or with the grim prospect of sleeping on the street with her two kids.

When she first came to us we were able to connect her to a Church that provides emergency temporary accommodation, and three weeks ago she moved into the Lighthouse Safe Housing Project. Our team of social workers have designed an integration program specific to her background and interests, and enrolled her children in school, so that whilst they are busy learning she is attending language classes, employment training, and even a traditional Greek dance class as she loves to dance. 

We truly mean it when we say we could not have opened the safe housing without your generous donations. Whilst we were able to secure funding to open one of the apartments thanks to your gift, we are still lacking the funds to launch the second apartment. Would you consider becoming a monthly donor and helping us to sustain our programming?