CIVIL SOCIETY: 269 PRACTICES
"The Smile of the Child" has supported more than 1,200,000 children and their families. Children victims of all forms of Violence, Children victims of Extinction, Children with health problems, Children who are or are threatened with poverty, have found a solution.
The main purpose of the action concerns the strengthening of the family, the promotion of social cohesion and at the same time the fight against social exclusion. The philosophy of this action is the creation of a social protection grid, through which the primary living needs of families are covered, to enable their reintegration in decent terms – reconnection with the social fabric. Support for families is sought by removing practices that lead to the encroachment of human dignity, promoting services that ensure respect for financially weak families.
The main objective is to ensure the necessities for the living of children and the discharge of the family from problems that can be solved with our participation (poor living conditions, communication and interaction with welfare bodies, etc.). More specifically, holistic support is provided to the child and its family in crisis through the social, educational, counseling and material support in an integrated approach..
However, it is important to emphasize that each family is different and the support we provide is adapted to its needs.
The action concerns families with minor children who live in or are threatened by poverty, regardless of their origin or religion.
"The Smile of the Child" has been implementing this action since 1997.
Regarding the duration of support of each family, the goal is to "educate" the parent to take on his role competently and take on the responsibilities that are assigned to him. The process is multifaceted, needs specialization and is considered successful when the support of each family is completed in a reasonable time. (specific criteria, evaluation)
The action is staffed by social workers and psychologists and is implemented in the Child & Family Support Centers that the Organization "The Smile of the Child" operates in specific areas throughout Greece.
In the Support Centers, the Organization stores the items that are provided to families free-of-charge (uch as food food, clothing and footwear, school supplies, cleaners, etc.p.) with the appropriate specialized logistical infrastructure and in compliance with Health & Safety requirements. At the same time, in specially designed spaces, the competent social workers hold meetings with the families, keep and update the social history, get informed about the development and at the same time proceed to their reinforcement. All of the above occur in the context of scheduled appointments to ensure the absolute dignity and privacy of each supported family. Meetings with psychologist are held in the same way, to support the families while protecting their privacy through schedule appointments. .
2014: 10,555 children and their families were supported
2015: 12,828 children and their families were supported
1st semester 2016: 8,189 children and their families were supported
Attica: Maroussi, Ilion, Nea Makri (Attica Coordinating Center)
Thessaloniki: Thessaloniki
Ilia: Pyrgos
Evia: Chalkida
Corfu: Corfu
Achaia: Patras
Larissa: Larissa
Arcadia: Tripoli
Chania: Chania
Corinth: Corinth
As well as a specialized Center for the management and storage of frozen and fresh products (Bank of items) in the area of Renti, Attica.
"The Smile of the Child" in the context of the implementation of the action is interconnected and collaborates with the social services of the local authorities and municipalities, the educational units, the public hospitals, etc.
The action is staffed by qualified social workers and psychologists, while volunteers play an important role.
Volunteering is an important and decisive element in the operation of Child & Family Support Centers of the Organization "The Smile of the Child". Volunteers are people of all age groups who wish to spend their free time qualitatively and offer back to society.
