Emfasis Non-Profit: A Bridge of Solidarity for the Homeless and Vulnerable Social Groups

Since 2013, Emfasis Non-Profit has stood by people experiencing homelessness and social exclusion, offering support, relief, and hope. With a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers, the organization implements the innovative Social Streetwork methodology, bringing social care directly to those who need it most.

Emfasis supports individuals living on the streets, families facing poverty, lonely elderly people at risk of becoming homeless, as well as the long-term unemployed. With the help of specialized streetworkers (psychologists, sociologists, social workers) and trained volunteers, the organization provides psychosocial, employment, and family counseling, as well as direct humanitarian aid through three Mobile Support Units.

Emfasis operates without state or European funding, relying exclusively on private donors, companies, and charitable foundations.

This independence allows the organization to respond directly and effectively to the needs of vulnerable social groups.

With Attica, Athens, and Piraeus as its main areas of operation, Emfasis has extended its help to areas affected by natural disasters, such as Mati, Northern Evia, Rhodes, and Thessaly.

Since 2023, with the pioneering EmfaSEAs program, the team travels throughout Greece, transferring the Streetwork methodology and promoting the values of volunteering.

With the central message "We Support - We Relieve - We Empower," Emfasis acts as a bridge of communication between socially excluded groups and the rest of society. At the same time, it promotes the visibility of the homeless and contributes to their destigmatization, offering not only help but also a second chance for a dignified life.

Sociologist Ms. Maria Nikolaou spoke to "Nea Kriti" and neakriti.gr, describing aspects of the homelessness problem and, as she emphatically points out, "these are simple, normal people, the only thing that differentiates them is their place of sleep".

They open their arms to all who are in need, while the "challenge" is for the homeless to trust them in a short time, as there are cases where it even took two years for trust to be built on solid foundations.

*How many years has the Emfasis team been involved in this social problem? And what have you observed?

"Homelessness has many aspects, visible and invisible. It doesn't only concern the people we see sleeping on benches, but also those living in precarious conditions, on the verge of poverty. These are people without electricity, forced to stay temporarily with others, who have been affected by natural disasters or who are facing eviction without anywhere to go.

Our team operates throughout Attica, serving over 20 municipalities. At the same time, we have expanded our activities outside Attica, to areas such as Crete, Rhodes, Salamina, Patras, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, and Thessaly, where for the last 15 months we have been by the side of those affected by the floods. Also, after the major fires, we intervened in Evia as well.

Emfasis has been operating since 2013, already counting 12 years of service. Homelessness is a multi-factor phenomenon. Anyone can find themselves in this situation at any time. The reasons are many and vary: economic, social, personal. We have seen people with a supportive environment who managed to get back on their feet, but also others who, despite their efforts, find it difficult to escape this reality. The economic crisis played a decisive role in the increase of the phenomenon."

*I would like you to describe the daily life in the important work you do.

"Our basic methodology is Street Work, that is, approaching people where they are. This is our distinguishing difference from social services, where people have to go themselves and wait in line. We go to them, whether they are sleeping on a bench, in cardboard boxes, in squares, or in abandoned houses.

Our team consists of five core members, but the contribution of volunteers is crucial. We have three mobile support units - one in Athens, one in Thessaly, and one for missions to other areas where there is a need.

« The problem starts at the integration stage. When a person does not have documents, identification, a certificate of homelessness confirming their status from the Municipality, we also help with this part, to resolve the bureaucratic obstacle »

In Thessaly, the situation is dramatic. Many people have been forced to move to the center of Karditsa, where rents are high and the compensation they have received is not enough. There are also many elderly people who are completely helpless.

Our main principle is relief. Our priority is to ensure that people are not hungry, cold, or thirsty. Then, we proceed to mobilization, trying to integrate them into a personalized intervention plan based on their real needs and desires.

Trust is the foundation of this relationship. It is the Alpha and Omega. Building this relationship can take anywhere from a few minutes to two years. That is, when the person feels ready. Some people trust us immediately, while in some cases it took two years. This is perfectly normal, as many have been victims of exploitation in the past. Once we manage to "build" this relationship, we move to the next stage, which is empowerment, so that they can become as autonomous as possible. We don't want to be anyone's crutch. We want to give them the tools to stand on their own feet."

*How did the idea of creating this team come about?

"It started with two co-founders, Ms. Maria Karra and Mr. Apostolos Vafeas, who have both remained for 12 years.

For quite some time, they were residents abroad. They would come to Greece and witness the situation, and as Greeks who wanted to help their country in some way, they gradually started making small gestures to help people in need. From distributing food to anything else. All of this eventually "blossomed" a lot and in more areas, and this is what we call Emfasis. Emphasis on human dignity."

*From 2013, when you started, until 2025, where we are now, has the problem gotten worse?

"One of the problems is that there has been no substantial census of people living on the streets. A professor of mine used to say that if I haven't counted it, I can't see it, and if I don't see it, I don't recognize it. And if I don't recognize it, I don't have techniques to deal with it. There is no substantial record-research. There is an increase in the phenomenon, and unfortunately, many of our fellow citizens are at risk of ending up on the street.

Also, we see people who were on the street and who were housed in homes under a program, at risk of ending up back on the street. They receive help and start again from scratch.

As you understand, there are no substantial interventions. Also, people who joined the program, unfortunately, cannot join a second time or are not prioritized. So, people who are on the street remain on the street.

A serious census needs to be done to see the extent of the problem. It is important from now on to know how many men, how many women, how many children are on the street, so that an image can be formed in relation to the structures that need to be created."

*We recently learned that the Ombudsman requested the sealing of the Athens Municipality's Multifunctional Homeless Center, as the on-site inspection revealed a serious problem with bedbugs and rodents, inadequate cleanliness, accessibility issues for people with mobility difficulties, and other findings. What is your impression?

"Historically and throughout our presence on the street, the information we receive from the people we serve is that the conditions are inadequate, e.g., the elevator often does not work, etc.

In addition, since the Shelter began operating, we have heard about bedbugs, something that has been repeated to us for several years. The coexistence of people inside the Shelter, also from the testimonies of beneficiaries, seems to create insecurity, and we have also heard about cases of theft, for example.

In any case, after the Ombudsman's report, it would be good and appropriate to make radical decisions and find solutions, even if it means the temporary suspension of the Shelter."

*What do the homeless tell you?

"The problem starts at the integration stage. When a person does not have documents, identification, a certificate of homelessness confirming their status from the Municipality, we also help with this part, to resolve the bureaucratic obstacle, and for this reason, we have requested the intervention of the ministries as well. Medical examinations need to be done to determine their health and whether there is any communicable disease. Also, the homeless person may not have an AMKA (social security number) or may not know the relevant procedure, while in my opinion, the word 'self-sufficient' has not been clarified. That is, I may see them walking, but they may not be accepted in shelters and hostels because they are not considered self-sufficient. Another problem concerns the bunk beds that many shelters and hostels have. How will a 60-year-old climb onto the bunk bed?"

*What is your impression of our island?

"We came to Crete last year as part of a skills development program for those working with vulnerable groups and the homeless. We also organized a one-day event in Heraklion. In general, we believe in networking and community, and we managed to bring many organizations together. We also had an action with the soup kitchen. We distributed food, approached the homeless, and guided them. We did street work. It was something very important.

We also noticed a lack of awareness among people, either because they don't have the knowledge, or they don't have the means, or they don't have internet access to be informed about various issues.

What we realized was that some organizations did not know about other organizations. On the other hand, however, we noticed a great mobilization from informal groups."

*What is your opinion on cases of homeless people who refuse help from specialists? And what needs to be done from now on?

"Of course, there are such cases. They need their time. They are simple, normal people, and the only thing that changes is where they sleep. From then on, the welfare state must also function. Accommodation structures are needed, beyond housing and reintegration programs. These people need support to adapt to a new environment."

*Are there cases of homeless people who have gotten back on their feet?

"Of course. One person told me that 'we all need a push.' We all need a 'balloon,' a 'push' to get out of a difficult situation. Just a nudge. It's not impossible."

*How do the homeless react when they see members of your volunteer team?

"The members of our team receive a warm welcome from the homeless, with hugs and other expressions of affection. Some have described us as their angels.

There is also a women's empowerment group. This is something people greatly need. We form various groups, trying to serve them on an individual and group level. This is what we call the value of reintegration."

*What is the profile of the homeless? Have they asked you for anything?

"They are simple, everyday, normal people. We have seen a lady who was evicted on the street, wearing her hat and fur coat. She tells me, 'I'm not cold.' We have seen a gentleman in a suit, and what he asked us for was 'cologne.' What do you want? 'Cologne.' He wanted to smell nice. Yes, we gave him cologne. Also, other homeless people asked us for backgammon; a wish we certainly fulfilled. It is a means of socialization and good for the mental health. Furthermore, in some cases, we have realized that after games of backgammon, it becomes easier to accompany the homeless to the tax office to obtain the necessary certificate. Other homeless people ask us for books."

The Prospect of Reintegration - The Goal is a Permanent Solution to the Problem

*Is there optimism among the homeless that they will find their way someday?

"Just as we are sometimes optimistic and pessimistic, so are they. I can tell you that at one point my psychology was terrible for various personal reasons, and I went on a shift. One person lifted my spirits because they were so optimistic.

These moments give us strength to continue. Seeing people who were once 'invisible' to society get back on their feet is our greatest reward.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that there is a choir of homeless people. We have performed at the Athens Conservatory, and they were truly enthusiastic because it was their dream. This happened a few months ago. Similar performances have also taken place at the Megaron Concert Hall. We have 2 tenors who have been living on the streets for many years."

Heartbreaking Cases

*Are there any cases of homeless people that have shocked you?

"There are several cases, but I single out the case of a man who slept on the street despite owning a house. However, behind his story are shocking aspects of his life. On his birthday, his wife, who had a day off, along with their little girl, left home to visit his work to surprise him with a cake. On the way to the factory, they lost their lives in a car accident after a collision with a truck.

This particular man did not want to re-enter the house where he lived with his wife and daughter. He couldn't bear it. As a result, he slept on the streets for about five years, and after a long time, we finally managed to persuade him to move to a shelter.

It's a kind of... self-punishment, while in some other cases, people... self-stigmatize. It is the dignity and pride of these people that prevents some of their fellow citizens from learning about their unfortunate situation."

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Source: neakriti.gr