STREETLIGHTS FUSION HELLAS

In 2014 Streetlights transformed a bankrupt bank in a community centre reaching one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods of Europe through Community Work, Festivals, Youth Work, Social Entrepreneurship, and so much more. Kipseli is the place where 180.000 people from more than 50 different nationalities that live and seek hope, within a kilometre radius. Our Goal We build leaders that will change Athens and Greece. Our Vision Imagine a safe place for local refugee & immigrant families, functioning during the day delivering hot beverages & desserts. Inside there a language class is helping kids learn English and Greek. On the upper floor, there is a creative hub, young people are brainstorming ideas about their next tv episode on social integration, while others are editing their productions. Local tv channel works as a voice for them. Right next, in the music studio, a fresh local hip-hop band is finishing their rehearsals. In the office, the Core team is checking the numbers, setting goals on partnerships, sales, music studio earnings and guests hosted. These funds will become street work projects. In the basement, the girls' group meets, to work on their women leadership series. In the backyard, a caseworker is catching up with young people, tens of them are being followed up every month. Same time, rock n’ roll dance classes begin. In the local square, the sports team is running a football championship. They finish in a while because the community dinner is on tonight. Some refugee ladies are cooking delicacies. At 8 p.m. everyone gets around the table, the time for all to get together; talk, welcome new people, celebrate their victories and achievements. Strategy Our community work programs run on different levels of commitment for the children, teenagers, and youth. The group separates into three levels. 1)The community of Kypseli; 2) Streetlights, which include every member that takes part in our projects, joins Youth Cafe, comes to the community dinners and shares our values; 3) The Streetlights.Lead Team that consists of responsible & reliable young leaders that endorse the values and the code of ethics Streetlights operate with. Through the year they get trained to lead change in Kypseli, Athens or even the World. Programs 1.Casework. Streetlights use the universal casework model. All our programs work to serve the children and their families most efficiently. We make sure that we catch-up with every member's achievements, goals, struggles and help them become the best version of themselves through creative expression, mentoring and development. 2.Youth Cafes. For two evenings per week, our base turns into a youth cafe. Children and teens, locals, migrants and refugees, come in between their classes or sports practices to chill, play foosball and pool while they socialise, cooperate, get integrated into the local community and adapt to the rules and values that are the backbone of Streetlights. 3.Girls Group. Using artistic means a group of young girls express themselves and create small video messages. It is a group that enables girls to rethink history and their position in it. 4.Community dinners. Once per month, we gather together, eat, play games and dance. 6.Sports. Kypseli loves football. We decided to turn the children and teenagers into the football stars of the Square. Once per week, we set up the goalposts in the square and the “Kypseli Champions League” takes place. 7.Music Studio. A group of teenagers lead by a young musician are running a music studio. They rehearse, jam, make their own productions. Every Saturday a guitar group and drums group have classes, rehearse. Children from 8 to 14 years old learn how to play music, enjoy community, and get creative. 8.Safe. Dance classes and DnD sessions happen every week. Three times per week, young people get together to do something new. A karaoke night, a board game night, a movie night. Etc. 9.Kids Club. We want to help refugees integrate