Ithaca started its journey by offering clean clothes with the mobile unit and also providing work to people from vulnerable groups.

Based on the requests of the people who visit us, we consider it our duty to try to help them in every way we can. For this reason, every year we grow, evolve and develop new actions and services based on these needs!

Get to know the renewed Ithaca, through all of its pillars and actions!

 

About Ithaca:

The non-profit organization Ithaca was founded in 2015 and aims to reintegrate and increase the social integration of the homeless and other vulnerable groups. Ithaca operates Europe’s first mobile laundry unit providing hygiene and laboratory reintegration services to people from socially vulnerable groups. To date it has helped 8.000+ people, completing over 33.000 visits, delivering 160+ tons of clean clothes. By providing a psychosocial service, it has already responded to over 1.300 requests from beneficiaries, while it has successfully contributed to the work reintegration of 37 people from vulnerable groups.

Work reintegration for people from vulnerable groups is a very big need. Ithaca, providing this service, is constantly striving to grow and evolve. With this in mind, from January 2023 and for the next year, Ithaca participates, as an implementation leader, in the Job Skill Recipes program!

The program, in which two other organizations, Zelsirdibas Misija Dzivivas Ediens from Latvia and INERCIA DIGITAL SL from Spain, participate, the partners will establish an open and structured dialogue between themselves, holding regular meetings and site visits, they will get to know each other each other’s work and will share their experiences and tools.

The project includes different methodologies, such as recruiting people in a protective environment until they feel ready to find work on their own, providing job counseling to vulnerable people, engaging them in voluntary activities and providing non-formal education training.

At the same time, several important goals have been set for the organizations, such as the investigation and adoption to some extent of the above four methodologies, the increase in the quality of the programs developed by each organization and the strengthening of their capacities, adopting the methodologies of their partners. Equally important goals are the identification of common needs and priorities in order to identify the most effective ways of applying the methods, as well as the creation of a strong network with the prospect of future collaborations.

 

About Ithaca:

The non-profit organization Ithaca was founded in 2015 and aims to reintegrate and increase the social integration of the homeless and other vulnerable groups. Ithaca operates Europe’s first mobile laundry unit providing hygiene and laboratory reintegration services to people from socially vulnerable groups. To date it has helped 7,900+ people, completing over 26,000 visits, delivering 130+ tons of clean clothes. By providing a psychosocial service, it has already responded to over 480 requests from beneficiaries, while it has successfully contributed to the work reintegration of 20 people from vulnerable groups.

On the evening of December 19, Ithaca team, together with LG employees, went on an emergency action to support the people living on the streets of Athens.

The harsh winter conditions create precarious living conditions for the homeless population. With this in mind, Ithaca went ahead with a campaign to distribute clothing for the cold, in collaboration with its great supporter, LG.

More specifically, we distributed 60 bags containing blankets, isothermal shirts and leggings, socks, caps and gloves on main streets in the center of Athens.

Through the palliative services of Ithaca, which have as their main purpose the social reintegration of people from vulnerable social groups, we constantly aim to meet needs that improve the daily living of our fellow homeless people.

About Ithaca:

The non-profit organization Ithaca was founded in 2015 and aims to reintegrate and increase the social integration of the homeless and other vulnerable groups. Ithaca operates Europe’s first mobile laundry unit providing hygiene services and job reintegration opportunities to people from socially vulnerable groups. To date it has helped 7,900+ people, completing over 26,000 visits, delivering 130+ tons of clean clothes. By providing a psychosocial service, it has already responded to over 480 requests from beneficiaries, while it has successfully contributed to the work reintegration of 20 people from vulnerable groups.

About LG Electronics Hellas: 

LG Electronics Greece was founded as a subsidiary company in 2002, as part of the international strategy for even faster and more efficient development. The aim is to make a strong contribution to both the Greek and European markets, based on the company’s long-term experience, supported by technological superiority, innovative design and an emphasis on quality pre- and after-sales services. LG Electronics Greece has established itself as a pioneer in all the developments of the digital age while it has established itself in the perception of its consumers and partners. During its course, the company has introduced many new products, applied new technologies in the manufacture of mobile and digital devices, and continues to strengthen its dominant position in the domestic market by presenting innovative, highly designed consumer solutions for home entertainment and appliances. In addition, LG Electronics Greece offers integrated solutions to professionals and businesses, as the LG Business Solutions professional department has experienced particular growth in recent years, successfully completing collaborations with leading Greek companies, as well as international and domestic tourist units, offering solutions with advanced HVAC systems, digital signage displays, hotel televisions and LED lighting products. For more information, visit www.lg.com/gr.

The vast majority of the population is affected by the winter. More specifically, people who live in precarious conditions by being homeless, are affected even worse. With that in mind, Ithaca along with Avin, offered “A Warm Hug” to people that are in need. 

Every Tuesday of November, employees of Avin, volunteered, supporting the work of Ithaca, while also offering kits with essentials for the winter, hot drinks and biscuits. A small bag with a blanket and raincoat, tea, biscuits and cereal bars were handed to more than 80 beneficiaries! 

About Ithaca:

The non-profit organization Ithaca was founded in 2015 and aims to reintegrate and increase the social integration of the homeless and other vulnerable groups. Ithaca operates Europe’s first mobile laundry unit providing hygiene services and job reintegration opportunities to people from socially vulnerable groups. To date it has helped 7,900+ people, completing over 26,000 visits, delivering 130+ tons of clean clothes. By providing a psychosocial service, it has already responded to over 480 requests from beneficiaries, while it has successfully contributed to the work reintegration of 20 people from vulnerable groups.

About Avin: 

AVIN, one of the leading names in the Greek oil market, started its operations in 1977. It has been a 100% subsidiary of Motor Oil since March 2002. Today it employs over 200 workers, has its own oil storage facilities in Agios Theodoros, Corinthia and counts 640 fuel stations throughout Greece, 160 self-operated and 480 cooperative ones.

AVIN products represent a wide range of advanced technological proposals. From the beginning of its operation until today, AVIN faithfully and consistently applies a human-centered philosophy, where ethics, consistency and respect for the consumer are the main characters. In harmony with the spirit of the times and the need for the energy transition, the Company invests in the grid in new forms of energy. Non Fuel Retail is also a strategic growth pillar. The strengthening of “AGORA” retail stores continues and is renewed, reaching 97 gas stations with new rooms, simultaneously increasing the relevant code. An important tool in achieving the Company’s goals is the AVIN Earn program. The program is a great success as it has exceeded 1 million members, with a penetration rate of over 70% of the total consumption of self-operated gas stations. The high level of the products, the network, the operational readiness of the staff and the consistency of delivery even under the most adverse conditions are the reasons why AVIN has won the public’s preference in gas stations and in the industry.

AVIN’s vision is to be recognized as a leading Greek petroleum company, supporting people, offering quality products and services in an honest and responsible manner, utilizing the strength and technology of the Motor Oil refinery. In a market that changes a lot, AVIN, with the active support of the Motor Oil Group, leads the way and adapts to the new data, aspiring to become the best Greek company in its sector.

Ithaca from September 2022 and for the next 12 months will participate in the “Bedrock of Participation for Homelesseness” program as part of the Active Citizens Fund program.

The implementing body is the union “PRAKSIS – Development Programs of Social Support and Medical Cooperation“.

The Active citizens fund in Greece is supported through a € 13.5 m grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The program aims to develop the sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector in Greece, and to strengthen its role in promoting and safeguarding democratic procedures, active citizenship and human rights. The Fund Operator for the Active citizens fund in Greece is Bodossaki Foundation in consortium with SolidarityNow.
More information: www.activecitizensfund.gr/en/

It is our great pleasure and priority to have people on our side, with an increased sense of social contribution, who will voluntarily support us in our cause, by filling out the volunteer form.

About Ithaca:

The non-profit organization Ithaca was founded in 2015 and aims to reintegrate and increase the social integration of the homeless and other vulnerable groups. Ithaca operates Europe’s first mobile laundry unit providing hygiene services and job reintegration opportunities to people from socially vulnerable groups. To date it has helped 7,900+ people, completing over 26,000 visits, delivering 130+ tons of clean clothes. By providing a psychosocial service, it has already responded to over 480 requests from beneficiaries, while it has successfully contributed to the work reintegration of 10 people from vulnerable groups.

About the EEA Grants:

Τhe EEA Grants are jointly financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The EEA Grants are available to the 13 EU member countries that joined the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) in 2004, 2007 and 2013 as well as Greece and Portugal. The decision-making body of the EEA Grants is the Financial Mechanism Committee, which is composed of representatives of the Foreign Ministries of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
More information: www.eeagrants.org & www.eeagrants.gr

About Bodossaki:

The Bodossaki Foundation is one of the most respected privately-owned public benefit organizations in Greece. The Foundation is the culminating point of its founder’s brilliant course in life and remains the carrying vessel of the values and ideas that he faithfully served
throughout his eventful life. The Foundation was established in 1972 by Prodromos – Bodossakis Athanassiades who decided to donate his entire fortune to support health care, equal opportunities, quality in education, scientific progress and environmental protection. The Foundation has a deep knowledge of social needs in Greece and has administered so far more than €450m supporting its causes. The Bodossaki Foundation also supports NGOs working with socially vulnerable groups and has lately set the strengthening of civil society as one of its primary objectives. Since 2013 it administers the regranting facilities of the EEA Grants for civil society in Greece.
More information: www.bodossaki.gr/en/

About SolidarityNow:

SolidarityNow (SN) is a non-governmental organization established in 2013 to respond to the needs, and advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, indiscriminately. SN’s Headquarters are in Athens, with large operations in Thessaloniki and activities across the country. The organization’s vision is to improve people’s lives and to empower them to create a just and inclusive society. SN’s actions fall under three main strategic priorities: a) Promoting safety and protection; b) Catalyzing livelihoods opportunities; c) Strengthening the independence of civil society and defending open society values. SN has supported 320,000 people to date, both through direct project implementation and through regranting programmes. Through its regranting initiatives, SN has supported 73 different programs and provided a total funding of € 14.4M to support Greek civil society organizations.
More information: www.solidaritynow.org/en/