ALMA was created in 1996 by a team of scientists of various specialties, who dreamed of an equal opportunities’ society for people with disabilities.

The Association provides educational and therapeutic services to autistic children and adults and/with mental disability, along with various daily sports programs (such as swimming, horseback riding, bowling, athletics, cycling), and cultural programs (theatrical play, yoga, painting, traditional dance etc.) ALMA also organizes outings, visits to cultural and sports events, excursions and camping trips.

Additionally, the Association regularly educates people about autism (schools, organizations etc.), to increase awareness in the community. In fact, all our efforts at ALMA, build on one or more of the following three pillars:

• the education and socialization of people with disabilities,
• the support of their family and
• the awareness of the community.

Since 1996, ALMA has served more than 2.500 children and adults with disabilities, while during the last academic year, about 230 children and adults aged 2.5 and over participated in our programs.

We start with the early intervention program and follow the child's path at all stages of his/her life as a parallel family, inspiring both the child and the family to discover the power of diversity and the opportunities it creates. We are close to the family from the difficult time of accepting the diagnosis until the lifelong settlement of the young person with disability in a Supported Living Home (which promotes their autonomous and dignified living). We also, provide him/her with professional support through Prevocational Training and Supported Employment programs.

The main Structures we currently operate in, are:

(1) The Day Care Center for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, which supports children aged 2.5 - 5 years and operates as a family support center (around 300 sq.m.)

(2) The Care Center for Adolescents and Young Adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, aged 14 and over

(3) Two Houses of Supported Living, in which seven young people with disabilities live permanently with the care of well-trained scientific staff.

(4) One House of Short-term Living, which mainly works as an intermediate step for the adults who will move in the House of Supporting Living

(5) Our offices, where our administrative services take place

(6) Sports and cultural programs are offered in public places, such as the Ag. Skepi Playground, in Palaio Faliro.

It’s been a while since our structures cannot cover our children’s needs. More and more children with autism and/or mental disability need our services, and we are obliged not to take them in, because of our lack of space.

It is noteworthy that since there is a limited number of children we can include in our programs, we prioritize integrating children from low-income families. Sadly, these families do not have many options if we cannot include their children in our programs.

For us to continue to offer our services, we need a significantly bigger space than the one we currently have.

Since we operate in Palaio Faliro and the families we provide our services live around this city area, we need to acquire a 500-600 sq.m. building in P. Faliro to house our programs and activities, for children aged 12 months – 6 years old.

We need the necessary rooms for Programs such as:

• Sensory Integration
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Psychokinetic
• Music therapy
• Offices (for Social Services, Pediatrician, Administrative Services)
• Community Meeting Space (for Trainings)
• Kitchen (Nutrition, Development of Daily Life Skills - Autonomy)

We have found a building within the community which would be perfect for our children. We tried to find the funds to acquire it and we almost made it – a government agency committed to support us, yet it pulled out of the project, bringing us to a dead-end.

Unfortunately, government support is inadequate in Greece, while the financial situation is quite difficult for the Greeks.

We count on your support to help us offer our children with disabilities a “home” of their own.

A home where they can be themselves.
A home where they can develop their skills and acquire new ones.
A home where they can feel understood and taken care of.
A home where they can create, have fun and make friends!
Their home.

We need the financial aid to make THEIR DREAM COME TRUE!

The Pan-Hellenic Association of Adapted Activities "ALMA" is a non-governmental non-profit association, registered in the Greek National Registry of non-profit Institutions of Private Sector character, and a certified provider of primary and secondary care.