Alkyone is a place fulfilled with love, care, help, peace, respect and benevolence.
There is a little street called Orfanidou, where the Refugee Day Center Alkyone is settled down. Climb up to the 5th floor, ring a bell and Adreana or a volunteer will open the door. “Who is Adreana?” you may ask. SHE is a SUPERWOMAN who holds all things together. Luckily, she works with super volunteers too. They are always smiling, being very friendly, full of positive vibes and energy to help everyone.
Let’s start with food. On the 2nd floor, there is a kitchen and a restaurant for refugees. Firstly, they need to take a ticket, then they are able to come and eat. The meals are healthy and prepared with love. The Refugee Center provides up to 100 breakfasts and lunches per day. The volunteers are very welcome to help cooks in the kitchen.
On the 3rd and 4th floor, the refugees can play music and learn English with volunteers. On the 5th floor, there is the clothing distribution with washing machines and showers, especially dedicated for refugees to use. The refugees are able to get needed clothes, do the washing and have a shower. Behind the sliding door, there is a big hidden space, which is reserved only to the staff, where they collect, sew and keep donated clothes. At the end of that virtual tour of the building, on the 6th floor, there is an administrative office, only for workers.
Food, clothes and psychological support are provided. Refugees are also invited to take part in many activities, events, cultural exchanges and meetings with the local community. Promoting and taking care of their mental health is so important, that is why they need to make friends.
To sum up, Alkyone Refugee Day Center it’s a Non-profit organization in Thessaloniki. It aims to address the basic needs of refugees who are stranded in our country, and especially the most vulnerable ones. It’s open: Monday – Friday 10:00 – 14:30.
