The effects of the Greek financial crisis, the rate of layoffs, the increasing rate of taxation, pay cuts and pensions reductions, the recorded loss of property due to lack of ability to repay bank loans along with the general financial insecurity arising from pension reforms, have created an unusual alarming phenomenon: the rise of poverty and precarious conditions for a substantial amount of households in Greece that were self-sufficient up to now and are now facing the terrifying reality of homelessness.
At the same time, social solidarity has acquired an increased role and has led to the absolute need for strong involvement of the private sector to leverage social turmoil and support families in need. Fully aware that the consequences of the socioeconomic crisis have an intense impact on all segments of Greek society, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation has approved a series of grants to support the efforts aiming to confront the acute social needs of the country in the most efficient way.
PRAKSIS implements the “Συν στο Πλην “program thanks to its fundamental partner in this effort, the “Stavros Niarchos Foundation”. The success and credibility of the program are ensured by PRAKSIS extensive experience combined with the active presence of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, which has been funding the implementation of the program since 2012.
PRAKSIS philosophy is to give prominence to best practices that will reinforce society in its effort to ensure dignity and autonomy for its members.
The ΣΥΝ ΣΤΟ ΠΛΗΝ program is based on two pillars:
Prevention through the Social Housing project:
1. It is an innovative project with approximately 370 beneficiaries (number of households on a monthly basis) with children who are facing poverty and the immediate danger of homelessness.
2. The main objective of the project is the successful return of at least one of the two parents to the labor market, and the return of the household to a level of self-sufficiency adjusting to the current economic situation.
A team of social workers, career consultants, financial consultants and lawyers examine each case separately and give full support to each family.
Intervention through the Day Centers project:
The Day Center Facilities for the homeless people of the greater area of Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki (with more than 170.000 visits from the beginning of the project in May 2012) provide relief to homeless individuals, families facing extreme poverty and refugees. There they can wash their clothes, shower, pick up clothes from donations and take advantage of a number of vital services such as primary health care services, psychological support and job consulting.
http://www.snf.org/el/