The Salvation Army is an international Christian movement that operates in 127 countries worldwide. In Greece, the Salvation Army has been operating as a nonprofit company since January, 2011, standing by vulnerable groups, most especially: young families and single mothers, the elderly and the so-called ‘new poor’ – those formerly of the middleclass who now need help in positively adapting to a new lifestyle which incorporates a lower standard of living.

WHO WE ARE

After successfully founding and running the Salvation Army in Thessaloniki, Greece, Captains Polis Pantelidis and Maria Konti Galinou relocated to Athens to establish similar programs and activities. These Athens initiatives fall under two main areas: the ‘By Your Side’ community program and the Christian Church, or ‘corps’, division.
HOW WE DO IT

‘BY YOUR SIDE’ COMMUNITY PROGRAM:

ADOPT A FAMILY PROGRAM
This program provides a concrete way for groups of friends to help their fellow humankind by providing concrete assistance in a pro-active, transparent manner. Particular emphasis is placed on maintaining the privacy and dignity of those on the receiving end.
With the individual’s dignity in mind, we aim to support those benefiting by the program to reach their full potential – with a view to their achieving independent living. It is open to all, regardless of age, culture, nationality, political and/or religious beliefs.

PARENTS AND TODDLERS GROUP


We consider family to be the heart of any community; any link by marriage, adoption or blood is considered family. Accordingly, we provide families with a safe, controlled, fully equipped environment where young children can play together or with their carers. Perhaps equally important, the carers also have an opportunity to socialise with each other.The programme is open to children aged 6-months to 4-years-old, regardless of race or political, cultural and/or religious beliefs. In order to participate, an application form must be filled out and accepted. Participants are also encouraged to support the program with any donation possible - even as small as 30 cents per session.

CHARITY ‘SHOP’

Following international Salvation Army tradition, this shop makes donated new and second-hand articles available to the general public. Small donations are requested to be used to support other Salvation Army activities in the community.
All donors, customers and volunteers involved in the charity shop are viewed as human beings with equal rights. Staff, whether paid or volunteer, must be attentive to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of all participants.
As for customer care, all donated articles are selected to meet quality standards. Each piece is washed and pressed on the Salvation Army premises.

GREEN LIGHT PROJECT

The Salvation Army in Athens actively participates in the fight against human trafficking. Equally important is the issue of prostitution, where many girls are trapped, often at a very young age. This program provides a nonthreatening place where victims of trafficking and women working in the sex industry can regularly drop in for a ‘normal’ chat and cup of coffee - hence facilitating their societal integration. The program also hosts workshops.

The trafficking of humans for sexual exploitation is against the basic human right of freedom, and thwarts people’s right to set their own boundaries. We believe that human trafficking does not have a place in human society and must be eradicated.

CHURCH OR ‘CORPS’:

Like most Salvation Army centres, we hold weekly worship services on our premises on Sunday mornings, from 11.00-13.30. These meetings have a relaxed atmosphere and include hymn singing, Bible readings, members of the congregation talking about their Christian experiences, and presentations by worship or drama groups. We also host supplementary activities, like Sunday School, Bible studies and prayer meetings.
Our belief follows the mainstream tenets of Christian faith, with particular emphasis on the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We aim to share the message of Christian love to everyone, while at the same time working with and respecting all other faiths and beliefs.

We view the fight against poverty, abuse and social injustice as an expression of true Christianity. We desire to lend a listening ear and helping hand to those in need, in order to encourage them to reach their full potential and achieve independent living. We intend to care for the community by encouraging change through hope, and example.

How can you participate?
The Salvation Army aims to spread the Christian message of God's love to all, as well as extend humanitarian aid, regardless of politics, religious beliefs or race. We invite you to contact us and join this effort, as volunteers, donors or sponsors.

Offering Aid To Refugees

The Salvation Army in Athens has been working with the refugees arriving in Athens from the Greek islands. We distribute around 700 to 1000 sandwiches and around 150 to 200 litres of milk. Also, we visit the people living in Athens' squares during the day assessing their needs and help them accordingly. We support with nappies, baby milk, clothing, shoes, socks and soon we will be able to provide sleeping bags and water proof coats. So many stories and so many lives and each one of them very special. The problem is here to stay and with the winter months approaching we would like to be ready to be a positive step on their journey.

Non profit society, membership ex- South Africans. South Africans, Greek South Africans and anyone else who lived in South Africa or carries a SA passport. We host social functions, excursions, charity involvement, local and South African. We work closely with the South African Embassy.

iforU is a non-profit organization for the empowerment and support of young women entrepreneurs through Mentoring & Networking. We are targeted to women that have recently started their business or have had their own business for a while but are ready to take it to the next level. Our vision is to see women in Greece achieve their full potential in business, playing an important part in the new order of things.

Our Tools

The Mentoring Program:

There comes a time when an anthill may look like a molehill to most of us; that's when you need someone to take you by the hand and show you how it's done. Our mentors are seasoned entrepreneurs and educators whose experience and insights will help you see things in a different light, encouraging you in your everyday quest for success.

Conferences, seminars, workshops and other offline activities:

Starting with our first conference in May 2012, iforU offers a variety of opportunities for learning, sharing and networking, in Greece and abroad. Our relationship and involvement with social and professional networks on a local and international level allows us to share knowledge and expertise with women entrepreneurs around the globe and to utilize it for the empowerment of young female entrepreneurs in Greece.

The Greek-Irish Society is about connecting people, sharing our culture, having a laugh. Its open to everyone - Greek, Irish or any other Nationality! So join us and join in the FUN!

The Greek-Irish Society was founded in 1977 with the aim of developing social and cultural relations between the people of Ireland and Greece. It also serves as a focal point for Irish people living and working in Greece, as well as for people of all nationalities living in Greece who are interested in finding out more about Ireland and its people.

A series of events is held from September to June, including table quizzes, walks, lectures, taverna nights, a family Christmas lunch, a New Year’s pita cutting, an annual tour. The highlight of the society’s year is the annual St Patrick’s Day Ball, held on or around March 17.

The society publishes a monthly newsletter which contains not only information on the society’s activities but also details of events taking place in Athens and Greece of interest to our members.  The society is a non-profit making, non-sectarian, and non-political body. Anyone with an interest in Ireland is welcome to join. Membership runs from January to December and costs €20 for an individual and €25 for a family. The society currently has about 150 members.  For more information please visit our website.

Find the Greek - Irish Society on Social Media: 

Facebook

Instagram

We are a group of volunteers whose mission is the care and the protection of stray animals that are living within the region of the Municipality of Nea Filadelphia in Athens, Greece. We desperately need donations for the shelter - our operational costs are 3,000-5,000 euros per month. We are able to raise about 1,000 euros per month from private donations and the remainder is gathered from the volunteers. Even as little as 5 euros can make a difference! (5 euros will feed a puppy for 3 days or a kitten for 8 days).

The Friends of Animals - NF rescue shelter accepts cash donations, PayPal, money order or direct deposit into our bank account. You can also adopt a pet, or virtually adopt (sponsor) one! For more details, please see the website.

CONTACT: Kiki Karathanassi

DONATIONS: We are a registered charity (#25700) and will issue a tax receipt for all donations made in Greece and internationally upon request. 

Find Filozoikos Friends of Animals Nea Filadelfia on Social Media: 

Facebook

Instagram

The Athens Strollers walk around Athens every other weekend and invite Greek and non-Greek nationals, alike. The Athens Strollers are a hiking club, unique in 2 respects: we walk in nature, near and around Athens, which makes our venues quickly accessible; and we walk either on a Saturday or a Sunday. The length of the walks differs, sometimes it is just 2-3 hours, sometime 5-6 hours. Families with children from 6 years and up are warmly welcomed.

There is no charge for being a member or participating in a walk.

You just sign up on the mailing list and will receive invitations. The only expense is your transportation to/from the walking venue and the tavern meal after the walk should you desire to stay for the meal. 

The club started over 10 years ago. All necessary information is posted  on the club's dedicated website: www.athens-strollers.gr. Here you will find detailed instructions on how to get to each walk start, the degree of difficulty, necessary equipment etc. Each walk concludes with an (optional) meal at a nearby taverna.

Founded in 1948, the American Women's Organization of Greece - AWOGreece, is a dynamic English-speaking volunteer women's non-profit group that connects American women in Greece and their friends.

Our vibrant community of women of all ages and backgrounds who share common values and beliefs, focus on charitable and benevolent volunteerism in philanthropy, education and women empowerment. Diverse recreational activities such as monthly meetings and networking events are also organized to help foster a sense of bonding among its members.

AWOGreece is also a member of The Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas (FAWCO) founded in 1931. FAWCO is an international network of independent volunteer clubs and associations comprising of 57 member clubs in 28 countries worldwide, including AWOGreece. FAWCO serves as a resource and a voice for its members; seeks to improve the lives of women and girls worldwide, especially in the areas of human rights, health, education and the environment. In addition, FAWCO advocates for the rights of U.S. citizens overseas. The organization is a global women’s NGO and since 1997, FAWCO has held special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

How to join

Full time AWOGreece: To become a member, simply download and complete the Membership Form/GDPR form. If you are not a U.S. citizen or the spouse of one, you can still join as long as two AWOG members sponsor you. Email the completed forms to info@awogreece.org. Once your membership application is approved, you can submit your annual dues (40,00 Euros) to our AWOG bank account.

Friends of AWOGreece: Those who reside outside of Greece can also support our cause by becoming a “Friends of AWOGreece”. You will not have voting privileges, but you can attend area meetings and participate in group activities in Athens at member prices. Fill out our Membership Form/GDPR and get in touch: info@awogreece.org. Once your membership application is approved, you can submit your annual dues (30,00 Euros) to our AWOG bank account.

When we meet?

Aside from cultural and fun morning and evening outings we arrange throughout the month, we also have two “area” meetings each month. Our Glyfada/south group meets every forth Thursday morning of each month and our Halandri/Agia Paraskevi north group meets every third Thursday morning of each month.

Why join?

AWOGreece is a great group to give back to your local community collectively. Our main charitable cause, is the Heart Pillow Project, a woman-to-woman project where members and friends unite in a common purpose to stuff, stitch and package heart pillows for distribution to mastectomy patients in Athens Hospitals.

AWOGreece is also a great way to connect to the American and ex-pat community in Greece, meet new people and make friendship but most of all, we have fun!

United we will move forward to inspire, support our community and work together as a team with commitment and determination that the organization keeps flourishing for decades to come.

 

I sent out a Whatsapp message to a friend, and it came back with a ‘Let’s go!’, so we headed toward Syntagma and what has quickly become Athens’ staple sushi restaurant – Koi Sushi Bar.

I’ve written about Koi before. This is probably the most affordable sushi/Japanese eatery in town, with great prices and a simple menu (and as of this week, open in Kifisia!). I’ve been there quite a few times, and always leave stuffed and smiling at the number on the bill. There are some fantastic sushi restaurants in Athens – but for price and value, Koi can’t be beat. Take note: it can get very crowded, especially on weekends, so be prepared to wait. Cash only.

On the way home from the restaurant, right around the corner in fact, I walked by a little shop that I have never noticed before: Soya Athens. It turns out that Soya Athens has been around since 2005 and supplies an amazing range of authentic Japanese food products (foods, drinks, Sake, etc.) as well as tableware, kitchen utensils, etc. The shop is very cute and packed with great stuff. And they even have an online shop. The best surprise is their sushi club, where members can learn how to prepare sushi from a pro!

So Saturday turned into a ‘virtual visit’ to Japan – Arigatou gozaimasu...
 

Koi Sushi Bar
Nikis 15, Syntagma
210 321 1099

Soya Athens
Apollonos 33, Syntagma
210 323 6324
www.soyaathens.gr

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…