City Plaza is a squat in Athens that provides safe accommodation for refugees. 400 people, including 180 children are housed at the ex-tourist hotel where families live in rooms with a balcony, enabling forcibly displaced people to retain their privacy and dignity. City Plaza has a zero-tolerance policy for racism, sexism and all forms of abuse. Instead, everyone who lives and volunteers at City Plaza contributes to the running and maintenance of the building, taking turns to cook and clean for the whole community. The children who live at City Plaza are supported to attend local Greek schools, providing some normal structure in the otherwise unimaginably tumultuous experience of having experienced war and had to flee their homes. City Plaza receives nothing in financial aid or assistance from the Greek government, the EU or any NGO. Instead, the community rely entirely on donations and crowdfunding from those who stand in solidarity with refugees and migrants, inside Greece and all around the world.

Having visited City Plaza and seen for myself how those who live and volunteer there are creating a positive, creative, safe space for families who have been forced to leave their countries - their homes, jobs, education and other opportunities - I want to support the City Plaza community as much as possible. I have decided to donate my birthday and Christmas to City Plaza this year. The money raised will be used to pay for everyday costs, such as food and fuel, as well as much needed equipment for children e.g. baby carriers, nappies, medicine, pushchairs/strollers, and educational materials. If you were thinking of kindly giving me a present, instead, please make a donation to City Plaza via this page!