Support refugee mothers and newborns in Athens

During the reporting period, CRIBS International continued to provide safe housing, community support and rights-based advocacy to pregnant women and mothers with newborns who were previously experiencing homelessness.

Two of our beneficiaries transitioned out of our accommodation and into more independent living situations. One mother secured a stable job with an open-ended contract and entered our transitional housing program, which allows her to save for the future while continuing to receive  support. Another mother also found employment and moved into her own flat with her two children, a significant step toward long-term stability. Both women remain part of the CRIBS community and are always welcome to return for support or to reconnect through our activities.

As these two families moved on, we welcomed two new mothers into our housing programme. One arrived with her one-month-old daughter and has quickly become an active member of the community. She is eager to regularise her documentation and has started attending English classes. Another mother, currently in her third trimester, is preparing for the birth of her first child. She had been staying on friends’ couches before arriving at CRIBS and now has a secure place to call home. 

This period also marked the start of one-to-one English classes, made possible thanks to the support of our interns. These personalised sessions have already had a strong impact, improving beneficiaries’ confidence and communication skills. In parallel, we welcomed a new volunteer who has begun offering literacy support to one of the women. This learning will enable her to build further language skills in both English and Greek.

There have also been changes within our team. One intern completed her time with CRIBS after contributing across many areas, including social work, data collection, workshop facilitation, and launching the new English programme. Her motivation and versatility were a major asset, and we’re deeply grateful for her work. We also welcomed a new volunteer intern, who brings with her a background in sociology, politics, and migration. Her presence strengthens our capacity and adds new perspectives to our work.

Advocacy remains central to CRIBS' mission. Our team continues to accompany women to hospital appointments, ensuring that their rights are respected and their choices upheld. We assist at administrative offices to make sure requests are processed properly and fairly. When banks refuse to open accounts for refugees, we advocate directly to secure access. We also provide support in employment matters, helping women understand job contracts and assert their rights, and we review rental and utility agreements to ensure legal protections are in place. In all these areas, our caseworkers work daily to uphold the dignity and autonomy of each beneficiary.

During this reporting period, we also hosted a CPR training led by a nurse, offering practical guidance on how to respond in emergency situations. The session covered vital information such as how to assist a baby or child in distress, and empowered both staff and beneficiaries with life-saving knowledge.