About Us.
The non-profit organization Ithaca was founded in 2015 and is active in the field of providing services and support to the homeless and other vulnerable groups. Ithaca operates Europe’s first mobile laundry unit for the homeless and offers reintegration services to reduce the social exclusion of the homeless.
Since 2016, Ithaca’s mobile unit operates in different spots in Athens and Pireus, offering hygiene services to people living in road conditions or generally unsafe conditions. Ithaca, due to the lack of adequate hygiene services, always researches new operating spots, where there are people with the needs for clean clothes. Since 2020, Ithaca has undertaken the operation of the Laundry of the Dormitory at the Multirateral Center for the Homeless of the Municipality of Athens.
Meanwhile, the mobile laundry unit have participated in emergency actions, such as the floods in Mandra and the wildfires in Evoia, helping with transporting basic goods and helping people who lost their homes.
Ithaca’s reintegration services include a program of employment for vulnerable groups at Ithaca’s mobile unit and office. Ithaca, by using the Mobile Laundry as a vehicle, employs people from vulnerable groups with a view to reintegrating into the labor market, as an essential approach to a permanent solution to the target group’s multiple problems. With job counseling, empowerment and liaison programs with companies and organizations, the Ithaca team completes a process of substantive and holistic intervention with the ultimate goal of permanently absorbing the beneficiaries of the program in the labor market.
Also, from 2021, Ithaca started operating a Social Service at the field of action, where the social worker of the team, helps beneficiaries with their requests, such as needed paperwork for gaining benefits and doctor appointments, offering a holistic psychosocial support.
And since 2021, the job counseling of Ithaca expanded, offering services to general vulnerable groups, not just employees of Ithaca. Through individualized sessions to each beneficiary, the support starts from creating an up to date CV, empowering the individual and connecting them with companies and orgainisations.
The third pillar of Ithaca’s services is about raising of awareness of both the public and the State about the issue of homelessness. By creating campaigns, networking and statements with each relevant body, Ithaca advocates for improved conditions, services and access for all people to all basic goods
Our Mission.
Ithaca aims to improve living conditions and increase social inclusion through hygiene services, reintegrate vulnerable people into the labor market, raise awareness about the problem of homelessness and poverty. Ithaca’s vision is for people who belong to the most vulnerable social groups to rediscover their own Ithaca. Increasing social inclusion and reducing social exclusion.
“Higher hygiene standards lead to dignity, and dignity to new opportunities.”
Our Target Group.
Homeless and vulnerable groups.
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