Ithaka

Mission

We aim to help refugees become socially integrated into France by connecting them with local volunteers through our platform and consequently establish a win-win situation between both parties.

Goals

Through our platform, we will connect refugees and local volunteers to join our integration activities in order to go beyond basic needs and help refugees find a home away from home:

• Mentorship

• French language and culture

• Professional skills

• Community events

Main activities

Exchange of skills: While learning, the refugee not only develops new skills but also develops a better idea about local people, their behavior, expectations and norms in their newly adopted country. Successful integration and inclusion involves a broader definition than economic survival. Including refugees in learning, art, events and sport activities help develop a sense of belonging for them.

Education of local language and culture

Learning the French language gives the refugee the ability to step inside the mind and context of the French culture. Without the ability to communicate and understand a culture on its own terms, true access to that culture is barred.

Community events

Besides being fun events offer a host of social benefits to refugees as well as support their integration into their future communities. The benefits are to instill a sense of community pride and knowledge The social benefits of events foster community pride, teach people new things, and strengthen relationships.

Mentorships

The role of a mentor would be to encourage the personal and professional development of the refugee through the sharing of knowledge, expertise and experience. The mentoring relationship is built on mutual trust, respect and communication, and involves both parties meeting regularly to exchange ideas, discuss progress and set goals for further development of mentees.