GET UPDATED EVENTS DONATE NOW ABOUT COVID-19 WHERE WE WORK HOW WE SERVE WAYS TO GIVE TAKE ACTION BLOG GREECE IOCC's history in Greece began with the Athens field office, a regional hub 1993-2009. Since 2012, IOCC has worked closely with Apostoli, the philanthropic organization of the Archdiocese of Athens under the Church of Greece, responding to the extensive financial crisis with millions in monetary and in-kind support. HOME / WHERE WE WORK / GREECE IOCC’s history in Greece began with the Athens field office, a regional hub 1993-2009. Since 2012, IOCC has worked closely with Apostoli, the philanthropic organization of the Archdiocese of Athens under the Church of Greece, responding to the extensive financial crisis with more than $37 million in monetary and in-kind support, including generous gifts to IOCC from the Jaharis Family Foundation Inc. and the John L. Santikos Foundation, a fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation. Securing Access to Food In 2013, IOCC began offering prepaid grocery cards so families in need can purchase Greek-grown produce, diary, and more. IOCC also funds Apostoli’s monthly dry-food parcels for unemployed and elderly people, plus hot meals for refugees and people facing homelessness (70,000 parcels and 600,000 meals in the last five years). Supporting Education Offering Emergency Relief Creating Jobs, Strengthening Livelihoods Equipping Hospitals for Service Your Gifts at Work Reviving Tradition, Renewing Hope IOCC’s support for the Greek agricultural sector builds on a long history, adding innovation and modern business and marketing savvy to traditional means of production—increasing expertise, productivity, and quality of life. Even amid economic crisis, agriculture has held its own as long-time farmers and newcomers returning to the land from cities have found fresh ways to collaborate. “Mentoring helped us prioritize our needs and goals … Now … I realize that mentoring was just as valuable as the donated equipment.”—New business owner NEW MODELS OF SUCCESS Associations and co-ops pool farmers’ resources and improve results. Since 2015, IOCC has helped 53 agricultural associations in difficult-to-reach areas that don’t have access to urban amenities. IOCC has provided production equipment, training, and guidance from mentors, plus support for meeting national quality standards and introducing digital marketing tools— helping associations reach more buyers and reduce costs. Co-ops that received assistance donated a portion of their production to local elder homes, soup kitchens, and children’s centers, creating ripple effects in their communities. CULTIVATING SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE Aiming to help co-op members maximize their abilities, IOCC has supported professional development within the associations by connecting select members—as well as 29 new businesses—with experienced executives who volunteer to support other businesspeople. The mentoring is helping program participants learn faster and prepare to take on leadership roles. EXPANDING THE CHURCH’S REACH IOCC equipped the Metropolis of Ioannina’s new creamery, part of an initiative that will support the metropolis’s philanthropic work and be integrated into the Church’s new agriculture school. St. Theodore Monastery in Viotia has a long-neglected olive grove, but with specialized equipment from IOCC, the monastery is actively cultivating the land again, creating seasonal jobs for local families. We can only continue this work with your support. Make a generous gift today, so that together we can improve lives around the world. DONATE NOW By The Numbers 70,000 parcels and 600,000 meals were provided to families since 2013 44,000 school kits have been distributed at public schools and refugee sites 3,600 school-supply vouchers were distributed to families to purchase necessary supplies $3 million in aid like hot meals and water/sanitation infrastructure has helped more than 250,000 refugees Agricultural cooperatives and small businesses have received machinery, equipment, and business mentoring benefiting over 1,500 families More than $38 million worth of medical essentials like surgical gloves, syringes, and blood-sample vials have been donated to hospitals throughout the economic crisis Related Posts GREECE: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Oct 28, 2019 | Education “I was so happy,” said recent graduate Anastasia, who’ll study this fall at the prestigious University of Athens School of Dentistry. It was her first choice ... GREECE: BUSINESS MENTEES TAKE BOLD NEXT STEP Feb 28, 2019 | Economic Opportunities “You woke us up from dreaming about success and helped us … take real actions,” said Athina, a small-business owner participating in IOCC’s business-mentoring program in Athens, Greece. Through IOCC and Apostoli’s collaboration with the executives of Kemel, a ... BALKANS, GREECE: IOCC LEADERSHIP ON THE GROUND Nov 5, 2018 | Economic Opportunities In October, board chair Mark Stavropoulos, along with IOCC executives Dean Triantafilou and Stacey Mason visited project sites in Euorpe. While they were in the Balkans, in addition to spending time with some of the people IOCC serves, the leadership team met with ... GREECE: A GROWING NEW BUSINESS FOSTERS HOPE Aug 3, 2018 | Economic Opportunities Haralambos and his family were not always in the farming business; he, his sister Theodosia, and his son Sotiris were all born and raised in Athens. But hard work ... 4 WAYS TO SUPPORT GREECE Jul 25, 2018 | Emergency Response IOCC is supporting immediate basic needs like access to food. Through partner Apostoli, the humanitarian arm of the Archdiocese of Athens, IOCC will distribute prepaid grocery cards to families affected by the fires, allowing them to purchase ... GREECE: THE PLAY'S THE THING Jul 2, 2018 | Education In response to the needs of refugees and migrants in Greece, IOCC partner Apostoli opened a ... SHARE SIGN UP FOR ONLINE NEWSLETTER Title Mr. Ms. Mrs. Miss Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Dr. and Mrs. Dr. and Mr. Dr. and Dr. Rev. Rev. and Mrs. Deacon Rev. Dr. ABOUT COVID-19 WHERE WE WORK HOW WE SERVE WAYS TO GIVE TAKE ACTION BLOG 110 West Road, Suite 360 Baltimore, MD 21204 Phone: 410.243.9820 Fax: 410.243.9824 Toll Free: 877.803.4622 All Contents Copyright © 1999 — 2020. IOCC: International Orthodox Christian Charities. All Rights Reserved. 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