PROTECTING
CHILDRENON THEMOVE
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Reflecting the needs of the immigrant population in Patras, the
Drop-In Center first opened its doors in August 2011. It is a Day
Center, open to unaccompanied minors from third countries,
minors who are separated from their parents and need
international protection. The interdisciplinary team which staffs
the Drop-In Center consists of social workers, doctor, lawyer,
and social mediators.
The aim of the program is twofold: on the one hand, it aims at
developing and promoting measures for handling the protection
needs through services of reception, counseling and referring
the unaccompanied minors to the right protection mechanisms.
On the other hand, it aims at detecting significant deficiencies
related to aspects of the unaccompanied minors’ protection
as well as the promotion of good practices. Therefore, the
methodology is applied in accordance with the special needs
of this group of the immigrant population.
In respect of the unaccompanied minors’ needs which the
professionals of the center are asked to address are the
following: healthcare, legal counseling, advocacy of the
beneficiaries before authorities and other involved entities,
their social interconnection with their families, the provision of
psychosocial support, and the provision of humanitarian aid
through essentials, like toiletries and clothing.
In the Drop-In Center, the beneficiaries can use computers, have
access to the Internet, participate in creative activities, take a
bath, visit the doctor, consult a lawyer and be psychosocially
supported over issues that may concern them.
The overwhelming majority of the beneficiaries are boys aged
16-17 years old who come from Afghanistan, a fact which
seems to be representative of the overall profile of the migration
phenomenon in Patras.
PRAKSIS - ANNUAL REPORT OF ACTIONS 2013
WE ADD THE SIGNIFICANT ‘A’ IN ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΣ
DIGNITY | INDEPENDENCE | SELF SUFFICIENCY | SELF RESPECT
