Greek America Corps 2020
Following successful volunteer missions in 2017 and 2019, which saw more than two dozen young people from the United States and Canada traveling to Greece for month-long service programs, Greek America Corps has become an integral part of our 2020 and future programming.
First and foremost, the program’s goal is to instill the Greek values of philanthropy and philotimo in North Americans seeking substantive and transformative experiences while serving those less fortunate.
As a secondary goal, we seek to provide support to the people of Greece by establishing partnerships with recognized non-governmental organizations doing important work on the ground in Greece and providing critical care and support to people and communities in need.
Finally, we aim to instill in each participant a love of Greece by offering more than just a travel program with bus tours and touristic experiences. Our programs will allow the participant to get to know and understand Greece in a real and substantive way. In addition to the volunteer hours the participant is expected to complete, numerous excursions and cultural/educational programs are included in each program.
Thanks to our partnership with Hellenic American University in Athens, a U.S.-accredited institution of higher learning, we are also able to offer college credit for certain volunteer programs. These credits are transferable back to the student’s home institution in the US/Canada.
Our 2020 programs include new partnerships with Greek non-profits and more opportunities for North Americans to volunteer in Greece.
Scholarships will be available for applicants who request financial aid. Applicants may also pay for their own expenses if they do not have financial need. Regardless of application type (scholarship or paid), applicants must first complete the application process and be accepted.
Why this program?
Offering young adults in our community the opportunity to transform themselves while serving others — and supporting Greece — is a pivotal ideal of the Greek America Foundation.
Since we launched our first summer volunteer program in 2017, dozens of students and young professionals have had life-changing experiences offering their time and talents to humanitarian causes in Greece
Our goal is to continue this program for years to come in order to ensure that more young people have such life-enriching opportunities — and to continue spreading values of philanthropy, volunteerism and service.
See below and click on each of the program images to read more details, determine which program suits your interests and to apply for that program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR ALL PROGRAMS: MARCH 7, 2020
Program one: June 7-13
Program two: June 14-20
Program three: June 21-28
Location: Athens
Partners: Boroume, Emfasis Foundation
Serving food-vulnerable and other disenfranchised people in Athens alongside partner organizations Boroume and Emfasis Foundation. The team will participate in various tasks including serving food at soup kitchens and gathering food from farmer’s markets, as well as participating in night runs to provide psychosocial and food support for Athens’ homeless. During evenings, volunteers will either have free time to explore or attend dinner-inclusive excursions, which include local happenings and cultural events taking place in Athens. Program is open to anyone 18+ or under 17 volunteering with a legal parent/guardian. Limited to 12 people.
Dates: July 1 – August 2
Location: Chios island
Partner: METAdrasi
Serving unaccompanied refugee children alongside partner organization METAdrasi at its shelter/home and VIAL refugee camp education center on Chios island. Our volunteers will provide education, enrichment and friendship through arts, cultural, recreational and skills-based activities. Volunteers may also be asked to support the METAdrasi team with basic administrative and maintenance projects such as meal planning and preparation, cleaning and beautification of common spaces and routine child care needs. A designated team of volunteers with an interest in education will also teach basic lessons in English, mathematics and similar subjects at METAdrasi’s informal education center outside VIAL refugee camp. This program includes excursions to beaches, villages, museums and sites of Chios, as well as an excursion to Smyrna, Turkey, where participants will have the opportunity to experience and learn the rich history of this city. Cultural experiences involving local foods, wine and live Greek music/dance will further immerse our team into local customs and culture. Program open to anyone 18-25.
Dates: July 1 – August 2
Location: Chios island
Partner: Kivotos Tou Kosmou
Serving abandoned and at-risk children alongside partner organization Kivotos Tou Kosmou at its facility on Chios island. Our volunteers will provide education, enrichment and friendship through arts, cultural, recreational and skills-based activities. Volunteers may also be asked to support Kivotos staff with basic administrative and maintenance projects such as meal planning and preparation, cleaning and beautification of common spaces and routine child care needs. This program includes excursions to beaches, villages, museums and sites of Chios, as well as an excursion to Smyrna, Turkey, where participants will have the opportunity to experience and learn the rich history of this city. Cultural experiences involving local foods, wine and live Greek music/dance will further immerse our team into local customs and culture. Program open to anyone 18-25.
Dates: June 13 – July 13
Location: Karpathos and Kasos islands
Partner: Karpathos Mayor’s Office, Kasos Mayor’s Office
Working under the auspices of the Mayors Offices of Karpathos and Kasos for a mission to reduce the stray dog and cat population of the islands with a high-volume spay and neuter campaign. Volunteers will work closely with and under the supervision of our two licensed veterinarians who specialize in high-volume spay and neuter surgery. The team will perform various tasks such as morning trapping of patients, preparation of patients for surgery, assisting in surgeries, assisting in patient recovery, assisting in patient release, cleaning of the medical equipment and assisting in patient release the following day. This program includes excursions to the beaches, villages, museums and sites of Karpathos, as well as the four-day excursion to Kasos. Cultural experiences involving local foods, wine and live Greek music/dance will further immerse our team into local customs and culture. Program open to anyone 18+ with preference to pre-veterinary/veterinary students.
Dates: June 28 – July 4
Location: Thessaloniki
Partner: SOS Children’s Villages – Greece
A week-long volunteer program alongside partner organization SOS Children’s Villages – Greece at one of their urban summer camp facilities supporting underprivileged youth with various recreational activities and life-skills coaching. Volunteers will participate in daily activities and educational projects with children from underprivileged families to provide them with friendship, mentorship and encouragement. This program includes various excursions and experiences that will immerse participants in contemporary Greek culture. This program is targeted to students and young professionals (i.e. between ages 18-30); however, anyone age 18 and older is eligible to apply.
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