ARSIS - Association for the Social Support of Youth - was established in 1992 and since then it has been operated in Athens, Thessaloniki, Volos, Alexandroupoli, Kozani and Tirana due to the active participation of members, volunteers and young people.

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The mission of ARSIS is to take actions for the prevention of youth exclusion. In this frame, ARSIS develops new methods and tools for youth support, organizes and participates in networks for social solidarity, cooperates with public and private services and promotes improved methods for the social policy of youths. Additionally, the organization offers its services to young individuals who live under conditions of poverty, neglect, victimization, conflict, disapproval, exploitation, isolation, racism or they have problems with law, they are institutionalized, have dropped out of school, don’t have family or a place to live. In general, ARSIS offers help to those living under difficult situations. At the same time, the association supports the promotion of social collaboration and personal values of the young individuals. It does so in contrast with the Greek and European policies which are based on suppression and lead to poverty and social exclusion. ARSIS mobilizes staff and volunteers and works with collective values and social solidarity, democracy and mutual respect.

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ARSIS provides services such as:

• psycho-social support: counselling, group work, legal advice, information, liaison with social services, support to deal with personal, social, housing or other problems and needs.

• preparation for employment: assessment, orientation, basic skills development (fighting illiteracy), placements in vocational training programmes, job search, support of work placements, productive workshops and social enterprise initiatives.

• legal support: information and counselling about law issues, creating educational and sensitization groups for human rights and discrimination.

• educational support: fighting illiteracy, educational assistance to immigrants, refugees.

• temporary housing and food services for young people without home or in major difficulty.

• social and recreational mobilization: participation in group and leisure activities, art and creative workshops, exhibitions, social and cultural events, communication, visits, youth exchanges.

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ARSIS develops actions and services with main goal to support people belonging to vulnerable social groups (immigrants, Roma people, refugees, homeless people, former users of addictive substances, former prisoners), based on the philosophy of social solidarity, equal partnership and mutual support.

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One of the main target groups of the Organisation is the unaccompanied minors and families seeking asylum. Supporting minors is one of ARSIS statutory objectives. Today our Organization operates the “House of ARSIS” – a shelter of temporarily stay for mistreated, neglected and children victims of trafficking and exploitation, in Oreokastro-Thessaloniki. ARSIS also takes actions for the protection of children who work in the streets and victims of trafficking, through social street work, through the implementation of the programs such as “Mobile School”. One of the main structures that the organization operates is the Youth Support Center.

Roma communities are also one of ARSIS target groups. ARSIS develops systematical support actions in the Roma community of Dendropotamos and in Romani settlements of Hagia Sophia and of Perea.

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For more information, please visit our webpage:  www.arsis.gr