Archive of the Children's Shelter of Volos

Collection

Holding institution (official language):: Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους - Αρχεία Νομού Μαγνησίας

Scope and content:: The shelter’s archive contains minutes of the board of directors, which in the prewar period included several women from the Jewish community of Volos.

Archival history:: The archive was transferred from the shelter to the General State Archive in 1996.

Administrative/biographical history:: The children’s shelter was founded in October 1922 after the Greco-Turkish War to protect physically and mentally the refugee children of poor working women. In 1939 the organisation became a philanthropic institution under the supervision and control of the Ministry of State Health and Mentality. According to its statute, its aim was to protect poor unprotected girls and toddlers and contribute to their professional development. The shelter provided accommodation, food, education, professional training, job search and family development through adoption and marriage, and ran summer camps and an elementary school as well as professional schools for arts and crafts such as knitting and sewing.

The shelter was based in Dimou Street in the Agios Vasileios neighbourhood from 1957 until it ceased operation in 1996, motivated by high operational costs, the reduction in the number of children in need and the overall mentality of deinstitutionalisation. The shelter’s building and other property were used by the Municipality of Volos for social purposes and its records were sent to the Greek National Archives.

Subject terms:: Aid and relief; Aid and relief--Philanthropy and charity; Children

Access, restrictions:: Archives are freely accessible. Researches are entitled to study up to five folders per day.

Finding aids:: Finding aids and on site digital and searchable catalogues (all in Greek) are available.