An Inside Look at Caring for Refugee Children in Greece

This summer, I had the opportunity to spend time with members of The HOME Project team, both at the shelters and at the organization’s headquarters in Athens. It was fascinating to learn more about the difficult but rewarding work that happens behind the scenes to care for refugee children.

I spent time with Stelios Vellis, COO of The HOME Project, who helped me understand some of the challenges the organization and the children it serves face every day. I was especially struck to learn that The HOME Project is often entrusted with some of the most difficult cases because it has developed the framework and support systems to care for children with complex needs.

Stelios shared stories about the psychological support required by children who have experienced significant trauma. It made me realize that providing a safe place to live is only one part of caring for a refugee child. Many children need ongoing emotional and psychological support as they adjust to a new environment and begin to process what they have experienced.

I also learned about challenges that are less visible when you visit a shelter. Government bureaucracy can make it difficult to navigate even basic processes, while changing laws and increasingly unwelcoming policies toward refugees around the world can create additional obstacles for organizations trying to help them.

Hearing about these challenges gave me a new perspective on nonprofit work. I had previously thought mostly about the programs and fundraising that people see from the outside. At The HOME Project, I began to understand the enormous amount of planning, problem-solving, advocacy, and persistence required behind the scenes.

Spending time with Stelios and the rest of The HOME Project team made me appreciate even more the people who have chosen to dedicate their careers to this work. It also inspired me to continue seeking opportunities in the nonprofit world and to learn more about how organizations can turn a desire to help into meaningful, lasting support.