22 November 2024

THE FOUNDATION FOR THE CHILD “PAMMAKARISTOS”

The Foundation for the Child “Pammakaristos” is the evolution of the “Foundation of Children’s Park of Pammakaristos Theotokos”, which continues to implement for 67 years uninterruptedly the charitable work envisioned by the late Bishop of Theodoroupolis, Georgios Halavazis, a legacy of the Reverend Sisters of Pammakaristos. For the last 40 years, adults with autism and mental disabilities have been studying at the Foundation, where they attend daily educational programs in order to develop cognitive and practical skills, necessary for their professional integration and equal participation in society.

Over the years, the Foundation has offered its specialized services to over 5,000 beneficiaries. Today, it educates and supports 103 adults with autism and intellectual impairment, through day and residential care services. For the convenience of the beneficiaries, there are six (6) special pre-vocational and vocational training laboratories, three (3) courses of training in Daily Living Procedures (DLP) and a Boarding School, which hosts 12 girls without families.

The Foundation implements its work in facilities owned by the Monastery of Pammakaristos in Nea Makri, Attica, in a total area of 6000 sq.m. It is one of the oldest Specialized Centers for the Educational Approach to Autism in Greece, for the last two years a full member of EASPD (European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities) with headquarters in Brussels and a founding member of DIKTYO (Network of Services for People with Disabilities).

Finally, with the support of our Bishop Emmanuel Nin and the Sisters of Pammakaristos, we continue the social service work to the vulnerable families of the broader area with the help of Caritas “Theia Pronoia” (Divine Providence) and Caritas Hellas, maintaining the Christian principles and philosophy of its founder, Bishop Halavazis.