Organization for the Development of Human and Social Capital identity
We Are: A social, non-governmental organization, providing mental health services and realizing actions against social exclusion of vulnerable individuals and groups, in Greece and abroad
We Are: A Non Profit Organization A Recognized Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Registered in the associated catalogue of the private, non governmental organizations working on social care.
We Work: towards providing specialized mental health services. KLIMAKA develops actions to confront the primary causes and consequences of social exclusion, experienced by vulnerable social groups, as well as individuals at risk.
Ο χρόνιος εγκλεισμός των ψυχιατρικών αςθενών ςτα ασυλικού τύπου νοσοκομεία We seek: Developmental social incorporation of the socially excluded individuals, rather than providing support based on charity Active participation of those being socially excluded. We discourage passive acceptance of the help provided, when realizing programs and activities.
Ο χρόνιος εγκλεισμός των ψυχιατρικών αςθενών ςτα ασυλικού τύπου νοσοκομεία We aim at: The reinforcement of those being socialy excluded towards: κϊθε ϊλλο παρϊ ωφϋληςε τουσ ύδιουσ και την ψυχιατρικό επιςτόμη The adoption of an active role towards life Their responsible assertion of rights (shape of political and social awareness) Their gradual independence Their equal incorporation in the social web
We provide: Services in all levels of care: prevention-treatment-rehabilitationde-stigmatization Health services (psychiatric) and psychosocial support (consultancy,housing, training, occupational incorporation, legal support, etc) to individuals who belong to vulnerable groups with multiple problems, who need systematic and thorough intervention.
We empower & Support People with mental disorders & severe psychosocial problems Homeless people or individuals at risk Culturally Differentiated Groups (Rom, Greek Muslims)
We Believe In the individual and his/her right for quality life beyond discrimination, which creates, supports and reproduces exclusion and inequality.
We defend the primary rights of individuals and groups, who are deprived of basic and fundamental benefits.
We create Opportunities and perspectives for social incorporation and occupational rehabilitation. This is achieved by creating programmes, in which socially excluded populations participate actively, avoiding to become passive recipients of help.
We include Some of KLIMAKA s staff belong to vulnerable social groups (Rom, Greek Muslims,ex-homeless,people released from prison etc) The percentage of employees who belong to vulnerable groups or groups in high risk reaches 30% of the total of employees (189 persons) and it is our aim to increase it.. Women over represent the total of the human resources of the organization.
Our Actions Participation in the psychiatric reform and deinstitutionalization Materialization of programmes providing psychosocial support and social incorporation to excluded populations Developmental and Humanitarian programmes abroad Research Education Networks
We work for the individual beyond race, nationality and color
Verging on the phenomenon of HOMELESSNESS
The phenomenon of Homelessness and exclusion from residency has been acknowledged, as one of the most severe social issues worldwide, whose consequences can be found, among others, in the public health sector, in the economy and in a country s social coherence.
Homeless people constitute the most extreme form of poverty and social exclusion Life expectancy of an individual experiencing homelessness is at least 20 years shorter, than the average.
HOMELESS WORLDWIDE There are more than 100 million homeless worldwide 50 million children live in the streets. 600 million residents of capital cities in the developed world inhabit residencies of poor conditions and they are threatened by
HOMELESS WORLDWIDE Homelessness is not restricted solely in the developing countries. It s a social problem also found in the developing world. There are approximately 700.000 Homeless people in the U.S., while the same numbers. are found in Western Europe, with an increasing tendency.
HOMELESS WORLDWIDE Great Britain shows one of the highest percentages of homelessness in Europe. It is estimated that 4 out of 1.000 people experience homelessness. Source: Homeless Pages, 2004. Homelessness in London surcharges the state by 44 million euros annually.. The cost refers to the lost financial development, and the expense on health and juridical services.
HOMELLESS WORLDWIDE 17.000 euros is the annual cost per homeless individual for the provision of temporary shelter and other support services in Great Britain. Source: Homeless Link UK, 2008. The cost in human lives is incalculable!!!
HOMELLESS WORLDWIDE 1.000.000 people in France are officially registered as homeless. 100.000 of those live in the streets. Source: «Τα Παιδιά του Δον Κιχώτη», 2007 Homeless in Germany are calculated up to 450.000. 25.000 of those sleep in the streets. Source: National Work Team for Homeless.
HOMELESS IN GREECE
HOMELESS IN GREECE since when? why? who? how many?
HOMELESS IN GREECE By the beginning of the 1990 s homelessness was regarded as an imported phenomenon. This particular disillusionment was based on the fact that the increasing housing problem faced by the Greek population coincided with the influx of immigrants and those seeking political asylum.
HOMELESS IN GREECE Soon enough, it became obvious that despise the fact that immigrants were facing the same problems as the homeless people did, homelessness had as well increased in the local populations.
Today Homeless people are part of the city s landscape in Athens, as well as in other urban centers and in the periphery.
HOMELESS IN GREECE
The phenomenon of Homelessness is relatively recent in Greece, in comparison to other European countries. However, the rapid increase of homelessness in Greece tends to reach the levels of homelessness found in other European countries. The number of services indulged with the prevention and treatment of homelessness is very low, in comparison to European
HOMELESS IN GREECE Homelessness appears in Greece in the past decades. It s increasing tendency in the last years is associated with: Rapid urbanization and the change of the traditional structures of the Greek society. Alteration of the family s role
HOMELESS IN GREECE : Transition from the extensive, protective family to the nuclear family is combined with the loosen of solidarity bonds among its members. Therefore, weak and diverse family members experience less tolerance by their relatives.
HOMELESS IN GREECE The rupture of protective networks, the main characteristic of the Greek family, lead to the differentiation of the typical family structure, as a result of an advancing society.
HOMELESS IN GREECE Therefore, individuals who are protected by family shelter today, might experience conditions of poverty and social exclusion in the future. ΠΗΓΗ:Εθνικό Κζντρο Κοινωνικών Ερευνών, οικογζνειεσ και κράτοσ πρόνοιασ ςτην Ευρώπη
HOMELESS IN GREECE These phenomena found the Greek society unprepared, in terms of developing services for the prevention and treatment of Homelessness.
HOMELESS IN GREECE The law (?) Greek Constitution provides articles for the protection of the right to residency. In particular: Article no 21 par.4 determines : «Acquiring residency for those being deprived of it, constitutes an obligation for the State»
HOMELESS IN GREECE Support Measures Measures provided by National Schemes for Action regarding Social Incorporation (such as support of singleparent families, providing social benefits, dealing with unemployment, improve education/ training etc) aim at various fragile social groups, who can potentially incorporate homeless population
The deficit of the State and the Vicious Circle of Social Exclusion To this day, the Greek state hasn t achieved to secure the right to residency, despite the measures taken to assist certain social groups. Lack of Residency results to the individual s Exclusion from other fundamental rights, such as Employment (art. 22 par.1) and Education (art. 16. par.2), which constitutes an important factor for the loss of residency.
The Greek Reality about Homelessness: Absence of formal recognition of the problem Lack of definition for the term Homeless Absence of systematic record / numeric presentation of the problem s size Absence of an organized scheme for prevention and rehabilitation Sporadic political actions fragmented and unorganized
Causes of Homelessness Combination of FACTORS Unemployment, low income Health problems mental health problems. Consumption of illegal substances Lack of family / support environment Immigration
HOMELESS IN GREECE HOMELESS POPULATION Drug users Mental health patients. People released from prison Individuals brought up in institutions Vulnerable groups of immigrants, refugees, foreigners. Single parent families. Underage offenders. Victims of physical or sexual abuse. Individuals with particularly low socioeconomic level of life.
HOMELESS IN GREECE today new-homeless due to the financial crisis
Unemployment financial crisis Low incomes The Financial Crisis and Unemployment strikes all ages and professional fields! Loss of Residency
20% of the Greek population lives under the poverty line* and it can potentially experience homelessness *National Statistic Service
Nowadays Poverty and Homelessness is amplified to populations of higher social economic status.
Newhomeless... People whose property was confiscated, due to unpaid loans and other debts (e.g. credit cards) Young people with loosen bonds with their families, who are unemployed or cannot support household expenses (500-700 euros generation), as well as people who lost their jobs just before retirement.
Homeless... with a degree!
New-Homeless New-homeless profile is different from that of the general population of homeless people Reasons for the Loss of Residency Presence or absence of psychopathology in combination to drug use Functionality Delinquency Supportive environment others Respectively, the possibility of rehabilitating and reintegrating new homeless populations is different
New-homeless They are capable of creating deep emotional relations and they are part of a powerful support network (at least for the time being). Permanency in Homelessness gradually weakens those people s relationships and unemployment constitutes the first step for their marginality.
New-homeless Citizens who have been homeless for less than 6 months can be reincorporated to the social web faster than Someone who has been addicted to charitable support or has been abandoned to depression and other disorders, which go hand in hand with the loss of stability in one s professional environment and personal relationships.
HOMELESS IN GREECE HOW MANY??? Lack of enumeration of homeless people and absence of definition for the term Homeless. Problems in recognizing and dealing with Homelessness.
HOMELESS IN GREECE HOW MANY??? According to estimations, rather than official records, 20.000 homeless people can be found in Greece.
HOMELESS IN GREECE HOW MANY??? In the homeless population they are included: Those experiencing the condition of living outdoors, those who live in unprotected accommodations, those forced to move constantly among inadequate housing conditions and those forced to live in inadequate residencies, unsuitable for residency according to the widely accepted standards. (Definition of homeless-feantsa, Ethos )
The experience of organizations dealing with Homelessness, substitutes the absence of the state, as far as enumeration, research, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation are concerned
However, immediate intervention for homelessness remains missing in our country, especially when compared to other European countries, which are already discussing measures for eliminating the phenomenon.
SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR THE HOMELESS (2001-2011) Facing the Problem of Homelessness
In the last 10 years KLIMAKA has taken action against Social Exclusion and Homelessness. It has put into effect a complete programme, where professionals in health care and social sciences provide specialized services to our Homeless Fellow Citizens.
The majority of homeless people face health problems, are unemployed, are deprived of a supportive environment, they don t have access to medical and pharmaceutical care, they lack a stable income, they don t participate in the social affairs and in most cases they don t fulfill their basic needs.
A HOMELESS PERSON NEEDS SPECIAL SUPPORT ADJUSTED TO THE TOTAL OF HIS NEEDS
The absence of institutional framework and the unfulfilment of the Homeless population s needs, contributes to the reproduction of Homelessness.
The Support Programme for the Homeless by KLIMAKA is designed to materialize the supply services in all levels of care: Primary prevention Secondary prevention Tertiary prevention
SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR THE HOMELESS Research Prevention Fulfillment of the basic needs for survival Health-psychiatric services Education & awareness Streetworking Vocational Rehabilitation Follow up Others
The Principles, Methodology and Goals for the Support Programme for the Homeless correlate with the identity, principles, methodology and aims of the organization per se, which are the following:
Focusing on providing specialized mental health services, KLIMAKA develops actions to confront the primary causes and the consequences of social exclusion, experienced by vulnerable social groups, as well as individuals at risk.
KLIMAKA aims at the Developmental Social Incorporation rather than the redistribution of wealth and charity. Therefore, it designs and materializes programmes, which focus on the active participation of socially excluded populations, and discourage their passive acceptance of support.
The actions and programmes of KLIMAKA aim at the reinforcement of those being socially excluded towards: The adoption of an active role towards life Their responsible assertion of rights (shape of political and social awareness) Their gradual independence Their equal incorporation in the social web
SPECIALIZATION Supply of various support services for Homeless people facing Mental Health Problems AIM Psychosocial rehabilitation and reincorporation of homeless in the social web or/and reconnection with their family.
How it all started With the «intervention group in the street» (streetworking) Providing first aid and enumerating homeless people living in the center of Athens
The Programme supports the function of: Day Center for the Support of the Homeless Short Term Residency Hostel for the Homeless Recycling Paper Lab ::
φοπέαρ Ανάπτυξηρ Ανθπώπινου DAY CENTER It functions as a base for the numerous interventions of the Programme. It works as a venue, first line shelter, for our co-citizens, who experience homelessness. It provides services of secondary prevention, concerning the encounter with the living conditions of the homeless population and its various needs.
SUPPORT CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS Services: Rest and personal hygienic (showers, washing machines etc) Supply of articles of primary importance (clothes, shoes, blankets, medicine, etc) Psychiatric evaluation, treatment and monitoring. Psychological support (individual and group advisory)
SUPPORT CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS Services: Health services by collaborating doctors of various specialties. Resolution of social and legal problems. Reference to more specialized services. Health education (speeches on mental disorders, infectious diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, etc)
SUPPORT CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS Services: Groups for co-assistance, encouragement and creative activities Dinner for social interaction twice weekly Organization of social and entertaining events, excursions, vacation etc.
Short Term Residency Hostel for the Homeless Co-exists with the Support Center for the Homeless Capacity: 10 people The only Residency Hostel for the Homeless that hosts people with mental disorders. It is based on the ability of its residents to live autonomously (or semi-autonomously). They are expected to keep the Hostel running without supervision 24/7.
Short Term Residency Hostel for the Homeless It provides the possibility of short term residence to adults who live without shelter, regardless of nationality, religion, sex etc. Priority is given to homeless people with mental health disorders.
Short Term Residency Hostel for the Homeless Purpose The empowerment of its residents in their effort to deal with their numerous problems. To provide temporary shelter, as well as individual support adjusted to each resident s needs.
Short Term Residency Hostel for the Homeless It doesn t provide permanent accommodation. It should be used as a constructive period of time for dealing with the factors that caused Homelessness (unemployment, health-mental health problems, addictions, personal relations). Emphasis should be given on residents social reincorporation.
Short Term Residency Hostel for the Homeless It functions as a typical household, assimilating real life conditions for those residents, who are in the process of developing their functionality and intend to live autonomously.
φοπέαρ Ανάπτυξηρ Ανθπώπινου Short Term Residency Hostel for the Homeless The Support Center for the Homeless is based, to a great extent, on voluntary work provided by the organization s employees and other volunteers. Its function also relies on sponsorships, which cover the center s primary needs in food, clothing, medicine, electrical appliances, furniture etc. In addition, the day-to-day run of the center is accompliced by the residents active participation (in shopping, cooking, cleaning etc).
φοπέαρ Ανάπτυξηρ Ανθπώπινου Short Term Residency Hostel for the Homeless All tenants need to work as a group and, while undertaking responsibilities concerning the Hostel s matters and other activities organized by KLIMAKA. In this way, they can appreciate the value of being part of a group and work towards the same goal. At the same time, they contribute to the well run of the Hostel.
φοπέαρ Ανάπτυξηρ Ανθπώπινου RECYCLING PAPER LAB Additional action supporting the goals of the programme. Run by ΚΟΙΣΠΕ Klimax Plus (Social Cooperative of Restricted Responsibility) Supervised by the 3 rd Sector for Mental Health issues in Attica.
φοπέαρ Ανάπτυξηρ Ανθπώπινου RECYCLING PAPER LAB A Social Economy Lab employing some of the Hostel s residents. Their work is to collect, discard and resell paper that is intended to be recycled.
φοπέαρ Ανάπτυξηρ Ανθπώπινου
φοπέαρ Ανάπτυξηρ Ανθπώπινου
φοπέαρ Ανάπτυξηρ Ανθπώπινου
φοπέαρ Ανάπτυξηρ Ανθπώπινου RECYCLING PAPER LAB The residents participation in the lab s function aims at the following: a) It is part of the treatment plan used in psychosocial rehabilitation. It also sets goals, which reinforce professional stimulation and the improvement of the individual s skills. It motivates individuals to work collectively and undertake responsibilities. while b) It supplies financial support, which improves the life quality of the individuals and reinforces their effort towards independence.
φοπέαρ Ανάπτυξηρ Ανθπώπινου Occupational Rehabilitation for Homeless Recycling Paper Lab. Occupational Rehabilitation in the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Units of the Organization.
Employment Integration of former Homeless individuals into units of Psychosocial Rehabilitation in KLIMAKA Special Care Assistant for Psychosocial Rehabilitation units (attendance of a complete programme of training) Member of the permanent staff of KLIMAKA The programme was recognized as one of the good practices for the 3 rd KPS in Greece and abroad
Since 2001, KLIMAKA observes and studies the psychosocial problems of the homeless population.
RESEARCH First research was conducted on the homeless individuals who live in the streets (in public spaces, abandoned buildings or vehicles). It did not deal with people who are temporarily hosted by friends or relatives, or people living in institutions.
RESEARCH The psychosocial profile of Homeless individuals and the living conditions in the streets. 2005 2006 Sample of 200 people Athens, Salonika, Larissa The first attempt to systematic record of homeless people s characteristics.
5 events sl eep out 2006-2010
s l eep out : Symbolic Support Event for the Homeless. It aims at stimulating awareness and action from the part of the State, as well as the Citizens, in order to deal with the problem of Homelessness efficiently, by including it to the political agenda and by taking organized action.
Record of public and voluntary (NGOs) services working in Athens providing food, clothes, medical care, accommodation etc
THREE-WHEEL REINCORPORATION
STREETWORKING
STREETWORKING INTERVENTION GROUP IN THE STREETS Immediate approach to those living in the margin and lack access to health and social care networks
STREETWORKING INTERVENTION GROUP IN THE STREETS The intervention group in the streets consists of members of the scientific group of the organization employees and volunteers. They reach out for homeless at night in the areas of Athens and Piraeus, where the target group is located.
STREETWORKING INTERVENTION GROUP IN THE STREETS Our intervention is shaped according to the homeless people s needs, as communicated to us, by the homeless population itself.
We are trying to be as effective as possible in confronting social exclusion and we intend to be close to every human moment of a homeless individual.
Excursion, celebrations human moments on the way to rehabilitation
human moments on the way to rehabilitation
human moments on the way to rehabilitation
human moments on the way to rehabilitation
human moments on the way to rehabilitation
human moments on the way to rehabilitation
human moments on the way to rehabilitation
human moments on the way to rehabilitation
Support Center for the Homeless and Multiculturalism... Prayer (in all languages and religions) before every meal.
Ascertainments
Confronting Homelessness is not a Utopia!!!
Homelessness in Greece constitutes an every day image in the cities landscape. A considerable number of our fellow citizens is forced to live in inadequate or unsuitable accommodations.
However: Homelessness exists, it is obvious and increases rapidly. Predictions inform that there will be 1.000.000 unemployed in the following years. Despite that, Homelessness in Greece remains institutionally unrecognized, by the Greek state. At the same time, Homelessness seems to be underestimated by the public opinion and the authorities.
Facing Homelessness... Homelessness shouldn t be dealt with charitable gestures. It should be faced with political planning and complete actions on behalf of the State.
Facing Homelessness should be given adequate importance in the agenda of social issues in Greece
Our experience with homeless populations and other social groups give us the right to support that It is rather the social system s incapability to include vulnerable groups and individuals, which leads to marginalization, rather than people s weakness to be reincorporated into society.
The problem of Homelessness concerns us all!!! Being homeless constitutes the most extreme form of social exclusion. The cost of social exclusion (moral, political, cultural, financial etc) does not concern only its victims, but society as a whole.
The cost of dealing with the consequences of social exclusion in all levels (moral, political, cultural, financial etc) is greater than the cost of planning and materializing actions for its prevention.
Poverty social pathology survival delinquency
Facing Homelessness: Is a moral duty for Social Justice Constitutes a Need for achieving Social Coherence and Prosperity
Let s be consciously active rather than passive philanthropists towards the problems of Homelessness
KLIMAKA assists every action and initiative aiming towards the resolution of the problem of Homelessness and the social reintegration of the homeless in the social web.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION Alamanou Ada Co-coordinator of the Support Programme for the Homeless Translation: Athanasia Kavelara