fillING gaps
in humanitarian protection for people seeking refuge

 
 
 
 

AREAS OF SUPPORT

 

Lighthouse Relief fills gaps in humanitarian protection for people seeking refuge. In Greece, where approximately 90,000 asylum seekers struggle to meet their basic needs, we extend a safety net to some of the most vulnerable. 

Families with young children, single mothers, survivors of gender-based violence, and others with multiple vulnerabilities comprise the majority of the thousand or so people who turn to us every month for assistance.

They increasingly struggle to rebuild their lives in the face of reduced government support for food and housing, regardless of whether they qualify for international protection.

We step in with emergency accommodations and food baskets while people try to secure employment and durable housing with support from our social workers and Victoria Community Center partners.

 

Our interventions revolve around two main pillars: 

  1. Give youth, women, and especially children living in refugee camps and other fragile contexts opportunities to cope, heal, and develop life skills through play, sports, and creative outlets.

  2. Help families struggling to put food on the table, find safe housing, and access social services and the asylum procedure.

 

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Monthly food and hygiene distributions to 250 families, emergency housing for single mothers and their children, and multilingual helplines for new arrivals and families living precariously. This grew out of a streetwork initiative launched in December 2021 and has since supported 10,500 individuals, of whom 40% are children. Learn More →

SOCIAL SERVICES & INTEGRATION

Access to the asylum procedure, public services, and ongoing support for vulnerable families regardless of legal status. This includes referrals to other service providers to facilitate integration into Greek society. Learn More →

MENTAL HEALTH & PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT (MHPSS)

Trauma-sensitive safe spaces and activities to support emotional resilience and psychosocial well-being. More than 10,000 people, mostly children and teens have taken part since 2016 . Learn More →

 
 

We enVision a society that:

ensures safe passage, upholds human rights, and makes it possible for anyone to thrive.

 
 

Our ethos of flexibility, accountability, and inclusivity, means that we adapt quickly to evolving needs on the ground and draw on the experiences of team members and partners who have lived as refugees to shape our response.

 
 
 
 

Together,
we can provide
safe harbor.

 
 
Happy Mother's Day! 🌺 Today, we honor and celebrate the remarkable mothers we encounter daily. We see the countless challenges you face, the sacrifices you make, and the deep love you have for your children. Despite the obstacles, you all share a c
Happy Mother's Day! 🌺 Today, we honor and celebrate the remarkable mothers we encounter daily. We see the countless challenges you face, the sacrifices you make, and the deep love you have for your children. Despite the obstacles, you all share a common hope – that your children will have a better life. Your dreams for them are simple yet profound: safety, good health, nourishment, and education. The resilience you exhibit is truly astonishing. Even in the face of adversity, you never give up. We witness your tireless efforts to navigate through the most difficult circumstances, often reaching your breaking points, yet finding the strength to keep going. Your love knows no bounds, and it shines brightly in everything you do for your children. To every mother we encounter, and to every mother out there, we salute you. Thank you for your incredible resilience, unwavering love, and the endless sacrifices you make. Happy Mother's Day! 🌻 #refugeeswelcome #standwithrefugees #solidarity #refugees #refugeesupport #humanitarian #humanrights #humanitarianaid #motherhood #MothersDay #MothersLove #Mothersday2023
Working in unity! 🙌 Today, our Athens emergency response team, in collaboration with @spaceeyeev and @attikahumansupport, distributed food baskets and essential hygiene items to families. It's crucial for local organizations to support and collab
Working in unity! 🙌 Today, our Athens emergency response team, in collaboration with @spaceeyeev and @attikahumansupport, distributed food baskets and essential hygiene items to families. It's crucial for local organizations to support and collaborate with one another to reach as many people as possible, covering a wide range of needs and ensuring their well-being is comprehensively addressed. Together, we can make a significant impact and uplift our community! #refugeeswelcome #standwithrefugees #solidarity #refugees #refugeesupport #humanitarian #humanrights #humanitarianaid
Imagine the difference between spending your every waking hour wondering where you will sleep and when your children might get their next meal versus having the freedom to pursue your passions, engage in meaningful relationships, and contribute to so
Imagine the difference between spending your every waking hour wondering where you will sleep and when your children might get their next meal versus having the freedom to pursue your passions, engage in meaningful relationships, and contribute to society in a way that reflects your unique talents and interests. This is what we mean by living "beyond survival". It refers to a higher state of existence than mere subsistence living. Everyone, including people who have fled their homelands in search of refuge, deserves to live a fulfilling life and experience the full range of human potential. #refugeeswelcome #standwithrefugees #solidarity #refugees #refugeesupport #humanitarian #humanrights #humanitarianaid
Thousands of asylum seekers struggle to meet basic needs such as accessing medical care, finding safe housing, and putting food on the table. Are you one of them? Our team of social workers and intercultural mediators is available to support and gu
Thousands of asylum seekers struggle to meet basic needs such as accessing medical care, finding safe housing, and putting food on the table. Are you one of them? Our team of social workers and intercultural mediators is available to support and guide you to solutions. All you have to do is contact our helpline or visit our information point at the Victoria Community Centre. So far in 2023, we have supported the needs of over 2.500 people. Helpline numbers Arabic: +306940919938 Farsi: +306946130898 French: +306949241496
“Censorship and laws restricting expression are at an all-time high. So are hacking and spying on journalists. Digital technology has made all those things easier. Yet, it is wrong and frankly lazy to lay the blame on the digital door. Media is
“Censorship and laws restricting expression are at an all-time high. So are hacking and spying on journalists. Digital technology has made all those things easier. Yet, it is wrong and frankly lazy to lay the blame on the digital door. Media is a tool. It can probe, reveal, and hold power to account. It can also manipulate and control the powerful, if not become power itself.” -Elmira Bayrasli, Director of Bard College's Globalization and International Affairs Program In countries where the courts and rule of law are weak, the effects on society can be absolutely devastating. Thankfully, Greece hasn't sunk as low as some of its neighbors to the East goverend by authoritarian strongmen. Yet, ranking dead last among EU member states is troubling enough. And in the run up to elections in both Greece and Turkey, the risk out out-of-control, government-directed false narratives about refugees and migrants remains very high. Today, let's take a moment to honor the brave journalists around the world who risk their personal safety to hold power to account. And let's support independent journalism that prioritizes truth and objectivity over click rates and advertising dollars. In case you are looking for reliable news sources in Greece, check out @we_are_solomon and @thepressproject. #worldpressfreedomday #worldpressfreedomday2023
Check it out! Our football program is up and running! ⚽️ We're thrilled to provide a fun and safe environment for kids from camps in Attika to play football and build connections with local children. With our expert coaches leading the way, we're n
Check it out! Our football program is up and running! ⚽️ We're thrilled to provide a fun and safe environment for kids from camps in Attika to play football and build connections with local children. With our expert coaches leading the way, we're not only teaching important life skills like teamwork and respect but also providing much-needed mental health and psychosocial support. Thanks to our amazing funders and a recent FIFA grant, we're able to give these incredible kids the chance to enjoy the game they love and leave the camp behind for a while. 🙌 #refugeeswelcome #standwithrefugees #solidarity #refugees #refugeesupport #humanitarian #humanrights #humanitarianaid #sport4integration
We want to take a moment to show our appreciation for our amazing supporter, @meaalofa_foundation. 🙌 Their donations have been a huge help in filling the baskets for the families we support each month. We're especially grateful for the recent donat
We want to take a moment to show our appreciation for our amazing supporter, @meaalofa_foundation. 🙌 Their donations have been a huge help in filling the baskets for the families we support each month. We're especially grateful for the recent donation of metal shelves for our warehouse - it's made such a difference in how we organize our space! Thanks to the Meaalofa Foundation's generosity, our team can work more efficiently during our monthly distributions. We're proud to have partners like them by our side as we work towards our goals! #refugeeswelcome #standwithrefugees #solidarity #refugees #refugeesupport #humanitarian #humanrights #humanitarianaid