Hope in Complex Situations
In Athens, Greece
February 24th, 2022 | One Collective
When a community contains many vulnerable populations, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Is it possible to meaningfully care for each marginalized group at the same time? Can a plan be implemented that actually takes into account each group without stretching resources too thin?
Central Athens, home to more than 70,000, is a community full of people asking these questions. The struggling Greek economy has led to high rates of unemployment and poverty, resulting in many individuals now experiencing homelessness. At the same time, Athens is faced with an influx of refugees fleeing danger and persecution, with little social support.
Danielle is a Catalyst with One Collective who has been tackling the challenge of coming alongside each of these groups head on. It wasn’t easy for Danielle or the diverse team she works with to find a common thread in their work - with so many people facing significant hardship and isolation, discerning where to start was challenging.
Over time, however, they found that mental health support was vital. Working to build coping skills, address trauma, and restore dignity all became guiding factors for the work. It was also recognized that the work could not be done alone. Danielle and her team intentionally began working with local partners to come alongside individuals experiencing homelessness, refugees searching for a better future, and those exploited in the sex trade.
Danielle Kelly
Athens, Greece
“Through collaborating with local partners and utilizing the skills of our team members, we have been able to develop programs that allow us to support the marginalized in Athens together, gradually incorporating the use of art, music, activities, and discipleship – and by following the ways of Jesus.”
With time, a partnership was formed with a local Greek church to offer services to those in the homeless community. Weekly shower and laundry services, a feeding program, and optional Bible studies were hosted through the church. When the services began, only a few would attend. But then, Chet began attending - a man from another country struggling with drug abuse. As Chet learned about Jesus and benefitted from the various services, his outlook began to change, and others in the homeless community noticed the positive shift in his behavior.
“His transformation was significant - as he talked and lived among the others on the street, they wanted to know what made him so different from how he was before,” shares Danielle.
As a result of Chet’s change, more people from the homeless community started attending the Bible studies, curious to see what they were about. They have continued to regain dignity through practical assistance and hear about a hope that comes through following Jesus.
Danielle and her team have also recognized great need and opportunity within the refugee community and women trapped in the sex trade. After experiencing difficult journeys to Athens, the majority of refugees lack a safe place to discuss their struggles and process their stories. For women in the sex trade, abuse and systemic barriers often prevent them from leaving prostitution, trapped in an industry that is technically legal in Greece. Although these issues are multifaceted, Danielle and her team have found innovative ways to come alongside these populations - such as art therapy classes, building trust in relationships, and offering practical assistance to vulnerable women.
Working with diverse populations is not an easy task, or a problem with a straightforward solution. Stories such as Chet’s are reminders, however, that in the midst of the complexity, there is good, lasting work happening - and your support is making this possible today. Thank you for your partnership that through the ways of Jesus - creates deeply rooted change designed to last for generations.
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