Homeless Care
Help the unhoused in Athens by volunteering with NGOs that provide aid and basic services to vulnerable people living on the streets.
Join theUnhoused Support Program in Athens, Greece! In the rapidly changing landscape of a bustling city center, Athens presents many facets of a cosmopolitan capital. However, the effects of the financial crisis, low minimum wage, and recent refugee inflows have led to a significant rise in homelessness. Many people now find themselves without a roof over their heads or access to basic amenities like water and electricity.
These individuals lack access to basic needs, including clean clothes, and often struggle to obtain governmental assistance due to their inability to access computers or resources necessary to apply for financial aid. Moreover, they face barriers in reconnecting with their families, finding employment, and becoming registered citizens.
As a volunteer, you will work with NGOs that create opportunities for these vulnerable individuals to access basic hygiene, legal assistance, and the resources they need to regain their dignity and fight their way back into society. Despite the significant challenges, many organizations strive to meet the basic needs of these people, providing food, water, clothing, and legal support to help them reintegrate into society.
Your role as a volunteer is crucial in supporting both field activities and the administrative functions of these NGOs, ensuring that the unhoused population receives the help they need.
What to Expect:
- Food Preparation and Distribution: Assist in preparing and distributing food to the unhoused population, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals.
- Outreach Projects: Participate in outreach projects that engage directly with the unhoused, offering them help and support in accessing essential services.
- Laundry Station Support: Help operate laundry stations, providing clean clothes to those in need by assisting with washing and drying tasks.
- Legal Document Preparation: Support the preparation and filing of legal documents, helping individuals navigate bureaucratic processes to obtain the aid they are entitled to.
- Office Support: Ensure the smooth operation of the non-profit office, assisting with various administrative tasks that keep the organization running efficiently.
Daily Tasks:
- Prepare and Distribute Food: Help prepare meals and distribute them to the unhoused, ensuring they receive essential nutrition.
- Conduct Outreach: Engage with the unhoused population through outreach efforts, offering assistance and connecting them with available resources.
- Operate Laundry Facilities: Support the laundry stations by washing, drying, and distributing clean clothes to those in need.
- Assist with Legal Documentation: Help with the preparation and filing of legal documents, ensuring that individuals have access to necessary government services.
- Maintain Office Operations: Assist in the daily administrative tasks of the non-profit office, ensuring that the organization’s efforts remain uninterrupted and effective.
Why Join?
- Make an Impact: Provide vital support to the unhoused population in Athens, helping them regain their dignity and access to basic services.
- Gain Experience: Develop skills in community outreach, legal assistance, and non-profit administration.
- Cultural Immersion: Experience the diverse and vibrant culture of Athens while contributing to a meaningful cause.
Ready to Support the Unhoused in Athens?
Included
- Airport pickup on Sundays, straight to your accommodation
- Stay in a socially or environmentally impactful hostel—female, male, or mixed dorms
- Access to a common room and free Wi-Fi!
- Three meals a day—veggie, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options available upon request
- Orientation on arrival: culture, volunteering, program details, and safety
- We’ll hook you up with an impactful non-profit project and handle the coordination
- Guided city tour with top tips for exploring
- Ongoing support throughout your stay
- 24/7 emergency support, just in case
FAQ
What is the minimum age to participate in this program? 18+
The minimum age to participate in this program is 18 years.
Do I have to pay money for volunteering?+
You are not paying for your volunteer work itself but for your stay with us overall. The costs for your program further include various elements that are part of your stay such as your accommodation, food, transportation from the airport, guided city tour, local coordination and 24/7 support for emergencies. Check the "Included" section of the program you want to choose for complete information!
How and when do I need to pay for my volunteer program with ImpacTrip?+
The payment of your volunteer program is done by bank transfer. We will kindly ask you to pay 50% of your bill at the time of your booking to secure your spot! The other 50% will be due at least one month before your arrival!
What is the accommodation like? Could I stay in a private room?+
Depending on the program, in most cases, you will stay along with the other volunteers in dormitory-style rooms. Private rooms may be available at your accommodation as well for an extra cost.
Can I cook in the accommodation?+
Yes, the hostel has an eqquiped kitchen where you can cook yourself with the only condition of cleaning everything used afterwards.
How much money should I bring to my program?+
Once you've booked your program, be sure to reach out to your local coordinator to get the scoop on the cost of living in your destination—it can differ quite a bit! And don't forget to budget for public transportation, emergencies, airport drop-off, snacks, fun activities, and a bit of local shopping. Happy planning!
How many people will be I be volunteering with?+
Depending on your program and project, you might be joined by other ImpacTrip volunteers, but usually, you’ll either be on your own or with local volunteers. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with locals and immerse yourself in the community and its lifestyle!
In case of need, how do I get health care?+
All volunteers must arrive with private health insurance that covers the costs of any health service that may arise in their program destination.
With this insurance you can be treated at any private or public medical center. The medical expenses will be paid by you and when you return to your country you will have to present all the invoices to your insurance so don't forget to budget medical emergencies.
In the case of European volunteers, to facilitate the process, it is advisable to come with your European Health Card.
Will I have time for some sight-seeing as well?+
Of course! We want you to really get to know your natural and cultural surroundings and will provide you with useful tips and tricks that will help you discover the location of your stay like a local.
Your shifts will generally last between 3 and 5 hours per day and will take place either in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening, which will leave you with plenty of free time to go explore, take a stroll around your surroundings, catch the most important sites, interact with the locals or simply go and relax! And of course, you will have your weekends off as well!
Do I need to speak the local language?+
No, you don't need to have any previous skills in the local language! All of our programs are run entirely in English and our guides and staff are all comfortable speaking English as well. However, we always encourage our participants to get acquainted with some of the most basic terms and expressions, as even just a simple "Good morning!" in the local language can be a great icebreaker to start interacting with the locals! There are also language lessons available for volunteers that can be booked before or upon arrival.
How and when do I get my volunteer certificate?+
You can request your volunteer certificate to ImpacTrip or the local coordinator at the end of your program.
