Archdiocese Offers Additional Assistance to Families in Greece

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announced today a grant of $150,000 to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to assist in providing emergency assistance for the people of Greece who are especially vulnerable as a result of the continuing economic crisis, austerity measures and a collapsing health system. Read More

Social Services – Crown Jewel of Philoptochos

Despina Denne

Nothing better exemplifies the philanthropic mission of Philoptochos than the work of the Social Services Department. Since the 1950’s, our noble organization has implemented many important programs to benefit the Greek Orthodox Community, and since 1987, our dedicated Social Services Department has helped to improve the lives of Orthodox Christian individuals and families who have been impacted by human service needs like poverty and income inadequacies, health and mental health issues, substance use disorders, hunger and food insecurity, inadequate housing and homelessness, intimate partner violence, family and older adult services.

The National Department of Social Services is staffed by professional Social Workers who are bilingual (Greek/English) graduates of accredited Master’s programs in Social Work and licensed in the State of New York. The Department assists individuals and families through direct and secondary interviews, outreach, education and information, referrals to local and broader resources, advocacy, supportive counseling, short-term interventions, resource development, and limited financial assistance according to the guidelines of the Philoptochos.

The goal of the Social Services Department is to improve the quality of life of those in need in a way that maintains their dignity, self-determination and independence. Its work is conducted confidentially, within a faith-based and culturally sensitive context. The Social Services Department operates under the leadership of Committee Co-Chairs Efthalia Katos and Stella Pantelidis, who serve on the National Philoptochos Board, and comprises numerous members representing all of the Metropolises across the country. Requests for financial assistance must follow specific procedures that require submission of documentation. Local chapters are asked to provide first response assistance, followed by the Metropolises and National Philoptochos when the need is great. Grants, which are awarded up to a specified maximum allowable amount, are made directly to the providers of service. They prevent evictions, mortgage foreclosures and utility shut-offs, contribute to uncovered medical expenses, ensure indigent members of our community receive a proper Orthodox Christian burial and more. All services are provided by Paulette Geanacopoulos, LMSW, a New York State licensed social worker.

The following case anecdotes represent just a few of the hundreds of requests funneled through the Social Services Department every year and speak to the heart of the work we do every day:

  • Funeral costs paid for a 68–year–old state prison inmate; a 36–year–old Greek national who died of unexpected complications following surgery; and a two-day old infant born four months’ premature.
  • Out-of-pocket medical expenses paid for a 39–year–old single mother of two school age children suffering from recurring, metastatic breast cancer.
  • COBRA premiums paid on behalf of a 39–year–old woman to ensure she could remain in rehabilitation.
  • Assisted with housing costs for an Orthodox Christian Syrian refugee family of six whose mother had authorization to work but whose father’s authorization was delayed.
  • Rent/mortgage assistance for a 43–year-old single mother of five children ranging in age from 7 to 16, two of whom are on the autism spectrum. The father abandoned the family to marry another woman, and the mother works one fulltime and two part-time jobs to try to make ends meet.
  • 42 year-old victim of domestic violence with infant son relocated to a safe environment.

Clearly, this important work is not merely “about the numbers.” However, it bears noting that between Jan. 1, 2014 and May 31, 2016, the Social Services Department assisted 467 Orthodox Christian individuals and families located in the United States, regardless of their immigration status. That translates to an average of 200 cases per year.

Nearly $500,000 in financial assistance was awarded on behalf of 126 of the 467 total cases. This work would not be possible without the generous and continued support of Philoptochos chapters nationwide. Private donations are also welcome.

The work of the Social Services Department goes to the heart of the Philoptochos mission to promote charitable, benevolent and philanthropic outreach to those in need. If there is an Orthodox Christian family or individual in your community who needs social services assistance, National Philoptochos encourages you to work through your local Philoptochos chapter or Metropolis Philoptochos to ensure they receive the help they need as effectively and quickly as possible through the Philoptochos Social Services Department.

For more information, call 212.977.7782, e-mail [email protected] or to download the Application for Assistance, go to http://bit.ly/2lqOX2D.

Please help us to help those who need it the most. Log on to http://bit.ly/1MpMsF3 to make your donation.

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