“Initiative for the Child” is a non-profit organization established in 2008 that focuses on the care, protection and rehabilitation of children who have undergone abuse of any form, and at raising awareness for issues pertaining to child abuse. Its mandate includes the fight against domestic violence through prevention, awareness and direct intervention, the treatment of trauma for children who have experienced incidents of abuse and their reintegration in society, as well as the social and vocational rehabilitation of young people who are about to complete their residency in one of the organization’s care and protection facilities.
“Initiative for the Child” is responsible for the operation of six facilities:
The Day Care Centre, which provides open, day-long care to children at risk.
Vergina’s House, which functions as a long-term hosting shelter.
The Centre for Reporting and Counselling, where children who have experienced abuse can receive counselling as well as material and psychosocial support.
The Semi-independent Living Youth Shelter, which provides short-term hospitality to young people, as well as vocational rehabilitation and social inclusion.
The Centre for the Treatment of Trauma, whose main objective is the documentation and timely diagnosis of abuse, as well as the treatment of inflicted trauma.
The Multipurpose Centre in Vergina-FRONT, which functions as a volunteer center, providing educational workshops aiming at capacity-building and at the creation of art products available for sale. FRONT supports vulnerable groups, including unemployed youth and single mothers.
At a global level, Initiative for the Child maintains continuous collaboration with the Facilities run by Caritas-Kinderdorf-Irschenberg-Muenchen, in the framework of annual exchange of personnel and beneficiaries. At the same time, and in the framework of scientific capacity-building, the organization works closely with the National Child Advocacy Center in the United States.
Reinforcement of the Operation of the Centre for the Treatment of Trauma
As of 2017, Initiative for the Child is responsible for the operation of the Centre for the Treatment of Trauma in Veroia, a specialized facility aiming at the timely documentation and diagnosis of child abuse –particularly sexual abuse- through certified methods. Its services also include the facilitation of referrals to competent authorities without the further involvement of the victim in potentially traumatizing procedures and the treatment of caused trauma by a trained scientific team. The Center covers, geographically, all of Northern Greece and its scientific team includes a Social Worker, a Psychologist and a Child Psychiatrist.
MATILDA Foundation supports the work of “Initiative of the Child” by covering financial costs related to the employment of one Social Scientist for one year, so that the latter may contribute to the Center’s operation by following up on cases of abuse while providing counselling and psychosocial support.