The Network of Collection, Sorting and Distribution of essential items for those who need them "SYN-PRAXI" has been operating in Thessaloniki since December 2000.
The Network currently consists of:
- An underground area of 300 sq.m. in a central part of the city where the items are made available to those served (70 Venizelou Street, Postal Code: 54631, tel: 2315504301, email: [email protected], opening hours for the public 9.30 in the morning to 4.30 in the afternoon).
- A large warehouse (1,600 sq.m.) - kindly sponsored by the Thessaloniki Port Authority - for gathering and sorting the offered items (Apotheki 15, Port of Thessaloniki, tel: 6934863689, email:[email protected], opening hours for the public , from 8 am to 4 pm).
- Three van type vehicles for receiving and transporting items.
As it also connects with all the structures and programs of ARSIS in Thessaloniki, and in general Northern Greece, but also with other agencies, organizations and institutions of the city.
The Network is based in the center of Thessaloniki, serving its easy access by population groups that need its services. At 70 Venizelou Street is the distribution point of SYN-PRAXIS where people in need of material goods come with a specific request signed by a social scientist from the structures of ARSIS or other Organizations and Organizations to cover their needs.
Dozens of people are served every day, receiving items donated by our sensitized fellow citizens, businesses or associations, foundations and other non-governmental organizations.
SYN-PRAXI functions as an integral part of the services of ARSIS, but also of the social services of Thessaloniki in general, and its action extends within the model of the holistic approach and the humanitarian theory that form the basis of all the services and structures of ARSIS .
Through its years of operation, the SYN-PRAXIS Network has developed and operates by applying a specific methodology, which aims to:
- serving as many people in need as possible
- optimal management of Network resources, items offered by citizens
- the holistic support of the served
- respect for human dignity and privacy
- the approach of more and more donations
- transparency
The majority of those served by SYN-PRAXIS visit the distribution point after being referred by a social scientist. On the one hand, in this way, it is ensured that the serviced person has discussed with a specialized scientist who has taken his social history and has recognized the serviced person's need for material support, in the context of the wider psychosocial support he will receive. On the other hand, it means that the client and the social scientist have jointly designed their support plan. In this way, the person served who will receive items commits to follow actions that will improve his position and bring him closer to independence and autonomy. Thus, the items he will receive are the basis for him to be able to be strengthened holistically and not an individual aid - alms, thus multiplying the value of the items given for disposal.
A very important element is that each client visits the site alone or with family members after an appointment. In addition, he is given the opportunity to choose what he will take. The space works like a store, where everyone gets free what they want according to their personal taste once their need has been established. In this way the person does not come to a difficult position, and does not enter a position of a passive receiver of help. This is an important factor for the activation of the individual and his further integration.