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Together we keep our doors open in 2024
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To keep the different floors of the Victoria community center so colourful and
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rich in services, we need your support.
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The different floors at the Victoria Communty Center
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The last newsletter was about an important part of our work, the partner coordination. Today we would like to give you an overview of what is happening at the Victoria Community Center and who all these partners are.
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Exactly one and a half years ago, we opened the Community Center together with the organisation 'A Drop in the Ocean'. Since then it has become a well known place, not only popular with visitors but also with organisations. We have managed to create a place where different organisations, from small to large, work together and create a place where people can come together. Since the space in our house is limited, there is always more demand for space than what we have available. At the moment, however, the offer in the center looks as follows:
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Our community center has a basement including a backyard, a ground floor, 1st and 2nd floor and a rooftop.
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On the rooftop we have a ping-pong table, a garden, benches and a bar for various activities and events.
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On the 2nd floor we have support services such as Mental health and psycho-social support by the International Rescue Commitee, information and support to access to medical, social and public services by Lighthouse Relief, consultation and more by Meaalofa Foundation, legal services by European lawyers in Lesvos, doctors for adults by Doctors Without Borders and the One Happy Family office.
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The first floor is all about education and career support. There are English, Greek and computer classes as well as employability support, run by A Drop in the Ocean.
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On the ground floor is the women’s and kids space with a variety of activities and support by Glocal Roots, a kids doctor by Sams and the welcome desk to the community center.
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In the basement it’s all about community building, engagement, spaces open to everyone and social interaction. There is a community café, a backyard, a small library, games, art activities, dance classes, fresh juice, café and tea and lunch distribution, run by OHF. Additionally, Diotima Centre serves a focal point for gender based violence in the communal areas.
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Our new fundraising campaign:
Together we keep our doors open in 2024
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OHF is doing its best to maintain this diverse offer and to further develop the place and our organisation. However, as the situation of refugees in Greece and especially the situation in Athens is no longer in the news so often, it is becoming more and more difficult to raise enough funds to continue this work.
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As we are once again at a challenging point financially, we have launched a new fundraising campaign, for a more sustainable and stable 2024, where we want to ensure that we can continue to provide a safe place for over 120 people daily.
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Our goal for 2024 is to establish and improve our operations, activities and impacts even more and to secure the Victoria CC sustainably and long-term. To bring this vision to life, we need your support. The majority of our incoming donations are from individual giving; from friends, supporters, volunteers, individuals like you. To realise our goals in 2024, we need everyone’s help.
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To cover our project costs for 2024 we want to raise 50,000 € with campaigns and actions on Global Giving and 150,000 € over our website, through foundations, grants and other donations. The €200,000 € we aim to raise will cover essential project expenses, including:
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Materials and Resources: Supplies, equipment, and tools needed for various activities.
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Operational Costs: Overheads like transportation, communication, and administrative expenses and team costs, such as salaries, stipends, trainings etc.
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Community Engagement: Costs related to organising events, workshops, and outreach programs.
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Part of this campaign is also our new online shop, where your purchases do not only make yourself feel good, but have the power to make a meaningful impact in providing a safe space to over 2000 people monthly.
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With every item, activity, or service you buy in our shop, you can directly impact the running of the Victoria CC, providing essential support to the visitors of Victoria Community Center and One Happy Family.
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For example, you can buy 100 cups of coffee for 25 Euros. Or 300 cups of hot tea for only 50 Euros. Buy a Wifi connection for 100 Euros and provide over 100 people and 10 organisations daily with Wifi. Or maybe you would like to support in providing daily lunch to visitors and you want to support the van costs for the pick up and delivering of the lunch? The choice is all yours. Stay up to date for more items available in our shop in the coming weeks.
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Click on the buttons to be redirected to the corresponding pages.
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Your support, no matter how big or small, can make a significant difference. And that's how you can get involved:
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Donate: Contribute to our campaign by making a donation. Every euro counts and brings us closer to our goal. On our website we have the above mentionned campaign with the online shop and one on Global Giving.
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Continue to read this newsletter and follow us on social media or on the website for special announcements with the opportunity to win a gift, have your donation doubled or make a gift to someone else.
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Spread the Word: Share our campaign with your friends, family, and social networks. The more people who know about our project, the closer we get to our goal. The more people participate, the more we can do in support of people seeking refuge in Greece.
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Join us in our efforts for 2024 ! Let’s make 2024 a year of hope, progress, development, stability and sustainability! Together we keep our doors open in 2024.
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The whole team of One Happy Family is looking forward to your support and send you their warmest regards.
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Impressum
Content: Johanna Käser and others
Date: 05.10.23
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