In a fast-changing reality of a big city center, you see many different aspects of a cosmopolitan capital. However the effect of the financial crisis, low minimum wage and refugee inflows in Greece the latest years have led to many people becoming homeless and not having a roof, or a place with water and electricity.
They lack access to basic needs and they can even have clean clothes. Besides basic needs that these people lack, they are also unable to get help from the goverment due to not having access to computers or resources to apply for some financial aid they are entitled to, or reconnect with their people and not even have the opportunity to apply and find a job.
Our volunteers help NGOs that create opportunities for people in need to have access to basic hygiene and become registered citizens and not invisible beings, that are able to fight armed with skills and resources.
Nearly a third of the Greek population, over 3 million people, faced the risk of poverty or social exclusion in the past years. Thankfully, many organizations take care of basic needs that should be covered for these vulnerable people such as food, water, and clothes. However, in order to battle this challenge and get back on their feet, they need governmental support, guidance, and access. In this program, the volunteers will support ngos that offers legal help with documentation, tax papers, job interviews opportunities but also are active in the field.
The role of the volunteers is important in general tasks, inside the offices but also outside. The volunteers will participate in the street work project where homeless people can be approached and asked if they need any help, hand out snacks, and prepare the snack bags. As well as the washing machine station supporting the smooth procedure of the washing and drying of the beneficiaries' clothes.
Also, their role includes welcoming them to the offices and preparing their documents, filing them, organizing them, keeping the place in order, and supporting the uninterrupted flow of the daily procedures.
By engaging in this program, the volunteers are directly working for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1, giving assistance to homeless and vulnerable people in their basic needs and also contributing for Goal 10 by reducing social inequalities that are the core barrier to rebuilding a better future.
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