ECHO HUB Athens: Prepare Refugees for Integration

by Echo100plus
ECHO HUB Athens: Prepare Refugees for Integration
ECHO HUB Athens: Prepare Refugees for Integration
ECHO HUB Athens: Prepare Refugees for Integration
ECHO HUB Athens: Prepare Refugees for Integration
ECHO HUB Athens: Prepare Refugees for Integration
ECHO HUB Athens: Prepare Refugees for Integration
ECHO HUB Athens: Prepare Refugees for Integration
ECHO HUB Athens: Prepare Refugees for Integration
ECHO HUB Athens: Prepare Refugees for Integration
ECHO HUB Athens: Prepare Refugees for Integration
ECHO HUB Athens: Prepare Refugees for Integration
ECHO HUB Athens: Prepare Refugees for Integration

Project Report | Feb 18, 2020
ECHO HUB ATHENS - A thriving community and education centre!

By Evelina Eskenazi | Project Manager

Welcome to the ECHO HUB Athens: a non-profit centre where refugees and migrants can feel at home and pursue skills, interests, and languages while integrating into Greek society.

What do we do?

Everyday hundreds of refugees arrive in Greek cities with no support and no local knowledge. In September 2020, Echo100Plus started a second HUB in Athens after recognizing the need of former students of the HUB on Leros for continued support. Since opening, the ECHO HUB Athens has expanded into a bustling adult integration and education centre providing language lessons and extracurriculars ranging from exercise classes to cooking. It’s a safe space where our students can concentrate on their studies, work towards getting certificates in Greek and English, find a community of friends, and gather the support and skills to fully integrate into Greek society and the job market.

The Numbers

In six short months we have:

  • Registered over 850 Hub students
  • Enrolled nearly 500 people in classes
  • Offer 8 English classes and 4 Greek classes continuously
  • Offer 6- 8 extracurriculars on a daily basis (chatterbox, barbershop, CV workshop)
  • Involved 25 volunteers and 5 teachers from all over the world and counting!

The Space

The hub, a three-story building near downtown Athens (Kypseli), welcomes students Monday through Friday 10:00- 20:00 for an average of 10 language classes a day (Greek and English), along with a variety of extracurricular activities and other European languages. All day long we offer access to computers and study rooms, as well as the lounge where students can drink tea, mix with a new community, and take a break from everything. The Hub also shares a space with HumanRights360 where students and others can receive job consultation, legal advice, and bureaucratic support from a Greek organization. Both Echo100Plus and HumanRights360 recognize the importance of integration and getting job ready, and we work together to try and offer our students all the necessary tools to do this.

Languages From November up til now, our average total of students in attendance per week has risen from 320 to 500, with English increasing by an average of 131 students per week, and Greek by 68 students. Our English classes range from ABC to C1 (spanning 8 different classes) and our Greek classes range from A0a to B1 levels (spanning 4 different classes). These two languages are key for students to integrate in society, but also helps with their chances of finding jobs. We have now also introduced French and German classes as per the students requests.

Extracurriculars we currently have over 15 extracurricular actives throughout the week. They range from activities where students can learn new skills, help better prepare themselves for jobs, improve their language skills or get some physical activity that helps them feel energised and clear minded. Here are just some examples of what's on offer at the ECHO HUB... Computer class: Our volunteer teacher, Shayan, teaches basic HTML, web design, and Microsoft programs twice a week. A vital skill nowadays for anyone looking for a job, especially in the IT world. Boxing: Our volunteer/student teacher, Jordan, teaches boxing three times a week to a group of regulars. It is one of our most popular activities! Cooking: Our local volunteer teacher, Yasmin, teaches students how to cook basic Greek dishes once a week. The class integrates Greek words and culture so students can better integrate. With a future intent to have students also introduce their cultures through food so all can learn and teach. Photography: Our volunteers take students out around Athens twice a week for photography practice. Teaching them things such as the use of light, how to edit photos, and taking in the city surroundings. Football: Our volunteer coach, Laura, takes students for football at a nearby pitch for practice and games. We emphasize sports and exercise as students say they help alleviate the boredom and anxiety they can experience while getting in much needed physical activity. Chatterbox: Our volunteers lead conversation classes in French, English and Greek 3-4 times a week. Students value the extra practice in the languages they’re learning and it’s a great way for the students to help each other and get to know their peers. CV Workshop: Our volunteers help students create or edit the student’s CVs to make sure they are job ready and professional.

We are very thrilled with the direction the HUB is taking and are sure it will continue to grow from strength to strength, constantly adapting to the needs of our students and the city. We can only do this is with the huge support we receive from our volunteers and donors, and for this we are eternally thankful!

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Organization Information

Echo100plus

Location: Vienna - Austria
Website:
Facebook: Facebook Page
Project Leader:
Gabriella Dixon
Vienna , Austria

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