Maison Charlotte – Shelter for refugee women and children / Athens
Maison Charlotte is a shelter for refugee women and children from Just Human in Athens, which was founded in June 2020. Two caseworkers support the women and children at Maison Charlotte.
In addition to safe accommodation, Maison Charlotte offers basic care, the provision of medical care and therapeutic services, legal assistance and placement in language courses, workshops, further training, internships and work according to individual interests and skills. We also offer integration services with information on life in Greece. For mothers, we also offer individual advice and services to strengthen the mother-child bond. For children, Maison Charlotte offers play activities and placement in kindergarten and school. Maison Charlotte offers space for 10 people. Additional rooms can be rented to provide protection and support for women and children in emergency situations.
The Maison Charlotte – history of the naming
The housing offer is named after the woman who contributed to the creation of this project in May 2020 with her message to Just Human. She was six months pregnant, living on the street and urgently asked for support. Charlotte moved into Maison Charlotte in mid-June 2020. In July 2020, a refugee woman moved in with her young son and five other women, one of whom had a young daughter. And the tenth place was also filled at the end of August 2020: Charlotte’s baby was born healthy.
New opportunities at Maison Charlotte 2025
In December 2024, 5 women and 4 children, were living at Maison Charlotte. One woman moved in with her two children in mid-December.
Arriving initially means a great deal of relaxation and security. The first issues are then health and the often necessary medical care as well as the legal situation. In addition, when they move into Maison Charlotte, all women undertake to take part in language courses, internships or other training courses to prepare them for a self-determined and independent life. They are individually accompanied and supported by the caseworkers, two social workers.
Some women and children have survived massive violence. In addition to medical care, they also need therapeutic support in order to find their way back to a good life. Legal assistance is also important to give the women and children the security they urgently need.
We depend on donations for the services offered at Maison Charlotte. We are grateful for any support.
(Situation in December, 2024)
