The "Shelter" is a Non-Profit Institution of social support of young people and teenagers and was founded in 1996 with the initiative of the Probation Officers of the Court of Minors on Syros at the suggestion of the probation officer Maria Kydonieos Fosteri. Watch here: http://youtu.be/j99rx_iHKow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j99rx_iHKow&feature=youtube_gdata_player
25 years ago Maria was still working as a social worker/probation officer dealing with youth coming through the courts system in Syros and realized a need for these youth in being rehabilitated back into society instead of them simply becoming accustomed to living in and out of legal action at the hands of the courts.
In the beginning it was Maria's own salery that funded the new center; a good part of her income today even as a pensioner/retiree goes to fund this work. The difference is that now she is retired and has more time to work with the children.
Also today, not working directly for the courts, she can go to the courthouse and say, "What children do you have for me today?" and take them without haveing to also take advice from the judges and other officials. Maria takes what others do not want because she sees what these young people can be one day.
When asked what inspired Maria to start her work we were told she is a sociaologist and, as such, she believes that all children are born good; that is is our failures which make them turn bad. She believes that if you give children and young people love and a boost - if you give them something good - they will make something good. She believes children can only make what they are given to work with.
Today Maria is known in her community for her work on behalf of these young people and the center's scope of work has expanded to include children and young adults who may not yet have come in contact with the courts but whose families have discarded them. (It is interesting to note that even as adults those who passed through Maria's love and attention call the center home.)
Maria and the center are known in the community for their work and when Maria calls individuals and tells them a case of pasta, tomatoes, meat paper and pens - whatever - is needed, then the individuals within the community show up with what is needed. Sometimes with more.
Dennis explained to us that monetary funding is very, very tight in this crisis and that centers such as Maria's - already so close to the edge - feel this pinch first. He explained that while it is almost impossible to give money, the people who know Maria and her center give whatever they have.
We were blessed to be able to see this place with our new friends in Syros and witness yet another example of how the people of Greece will make room for those in need. Here as in Margarita (Athens) and Spinalonga (Crete) we have seen in Greece that while there might be great need in some places, there is also great creativity, great love and a great sense of community. With such things not even the most dire economic crisis can permenantly alter a country.
(Videos and mission statement by TJ, post my Steven)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j99rx_iHKow&feature=youtube_gdata_player
25 years ago Maria was still working as a social worker/probation officer dealing with youth coming through the courts system in Syros and realized a need for these youth in being rehabilitated back into society instead of them simply becoming accustomed to living in and out of legal action at the hands of the courts.
In the beginning it was Maria's own salery that funded the new center; a good part of her income today even as a pensioner/retiree goes to fund this work. The difference is that now she is retired and has more time to work with the children.
Also today, not working directly for the courts, she can go to the courthouse and say, "What children do you have for me today?" and take them without haveing to also take advice from the judges and other officials. Maria takes what others do not want because she sees what these young people can be one day.
When asked what inspired Maria to start her work we were told she is a sociaologist and, as such, she believes that all children are born good; that is is our failures which make them turn bad. She believes that if you give children and young people love and a boost - if you give them something good - they will make something good. She believes children can only make what they are given to work with.
Today Maria is known in her community for her work on behalf of these young people and the center's scope of work has expanded to include children and young adults who may not yet have come in contact with the courts but whose families have discarded them. (It is interesting to note that even as adults those who passed through Maria's love and attention call the center home.)
Maria and the center are known in the community for their work and when Maria calls individuals and tells them a case of pasta, tomatoes, meat paper and pens - whatever - is needed, then the individuals within the community show up with what is needed. Sometimes with more.
Dennis explained to us that monetary funding is very, very tight in this crisis and that centers such as Maria's - already so close to the edge - feel this pinch first. He explained that while it is almost impossible to give money, the people who know Maria and her center give whatever they have.
We were blessed to be able to see this place with our new friends in Syros and witness yet another example of how the people of Greece will make room for those in need. Here as in Margarita (Athens) and Spinalonga (Crete) we have seen in Greece that while there might be great need in some places, there is also great creativity, great love and a great sense of community. With such things not even the most dire economic crisis can permenantly alter a country.
(Videos and mission statement by TJ, post my Steven)
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