by Elizabeth Carter / @lizcarterc
This is the first in a series of blog posts from Elizabeth about her ongoing summer experience working with the Emfasis Foundation in Athens, Greece.
The summer of 2021 represents the strange yet special time between the end of my college experience and the beginning of my official entry into the workforce. Relaxation after a grueling five years where I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees mixed with the overall uncertainty of the future, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
So when the opportunity to intern for a non-profit organization in Athens, Greece fell into my lap, I counted my lucky stars and packed my bags. Now, nearly a month into my time here, I can navigate the city with relative ease, order my coffee correctly, and am beginning to appreciate how this experience of serving others while learning new ways of doing things will impact me long after I return to the United States.
The Emfasis Foundation, where I am working, supports individuals in the wider Athens metropolitan area who are experiencing current or imminent homelessness by providing temporary accommodation, emergency relief supplies, vocational training, and more. Their approach is grounded in “Streetwork Methodology”, which involves trained social workers visiting the beneficiaries where they are, rather than requiring the beneficiaries to come and seek help. This not only restores dignity to the beneficiaries but also empowers them to direct their path back to self-sufficiency and security.
Emfasis conducts its operations without any government support, relying on the contributions of individual and corporate donations. As such, they often partner with international foundations whose primary language is English. My role this summer consists of translating presentations, media communications, and legal documents to English to further Emfasis’ outreach efforts. I also provide support to programs and partnerships that are specifically taking place this summer. One such partnership will involve sourcing emergency food supplies from small local producers to be distributed to families in Athens and its surrounding areas. I have already had the opportunity to manage aspects of this operation and look forward to meeting with the producers of the food.
After only a few weeks, I am already grateful that this role has exposed me to the nuances of non-profit operations while being able to help those in need. The precision required in grant-writing, the art of cultivating relationships with beneficiaries, and the intricacy of effective cross-cultural communication have all reshaped my understanding of this sector and strengthened my desire to continue learning and helping others.
I am truly excited about the coming weeks filled with additional lessons to be learned (and new places to explore!) before I return home to the United States in late August. Be on the lookout for further updates soon!
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