Lighthouse Relief

In Greece, where approximately 90,000 asylum seekers struggle to meet their basic needs, we extend a safety net to some of the most vulnerable. Families with young children led by single mothers comprise the majority of people who turn to us every month for assistance (approximately 2,000 individuals). They suffer from the government's withdrawal of lifesaving support over the past several years. For example, roughly one-third of people living in camps on the mainland have lost their eligibility to receive food, while the 2022 closure of EU-funded apartments for the highly vulnerable left thousands unhoused. Such measures exemplify the increasingly harsh policies intended to deter future migrants from coming to Greece, even when they qualify for international protection.

1) Building resilience through sports - children aged 5 and up have the opportunity to experience life beyond the prison-like camp walls through our sports program, which transports them to and from the camp to play football, basketball, and other sports at nearby facilities. Led by trauma-sensitive coaches and run in collaboration with local sports clubs, it provides opportunities to heal from trauma, cope with the stress of living in a camp, build confidence, have fun, and make friends. 2) Help families put food on the table, find safe housing, and access legal/medical/social/other services they need to get their papers in order, enroll in classes, and earn a living so they can rebuild their lives. Since December 2021, we have supported 12,500 people living under precarious condition in Athens, of whom 40% are children. ​ ​ ​