Exelixi Zois welcomed the new year with a unique Black Tie Gala Dinner of exquisite gastronomy and music, featuring distinguished guests at the exclusive DELTA restaurant in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) on Thursday, January 18, 2024.
The President and CEO, Dimitra Kalantoni, along with the Vice President and members of Exelixi Zois, extended a warm welcome to those who have been supporting the organisation over the years, as well as to new supporters interested in contributing to its mission.
Ms. Kalantoni opened the evening, greeting the attendees and providing insights into the organisation's work and the journey of Exelixi Zois. It is the only non-profit organisation in Greece dedicated to empowering and autonomising adolescents and young adults from institutional care backgrounds. Celebrating its 5th year of operation, the organisation has supported 160 young adults and adolescents to date, actively assisting 27 young adults over 18 and 82 children under 18 today.
Over the past five years, Exelixi Zois has conducted 16,242 hours of educational programs and 1,996 hours of sessions with its psycho-social support team. However, according to the organisation's 2021 mapping of 108 typical development population structures and 81 structures for people with disabilities in the country, there is a significant waiting list for both facilities and children.
Furthermore, the President announced, «Since December 2023, the organisation has been registered in the Electronic National Registry of Private Social Care Organisations and has obtained Special Certification of Primary Non-Profit Social Care under Law 4455/2017. With this certification, Exelixi Zois is now eligible to seek support from state and European programs».
The evening was filled with music, featuring exceptional piano performances by Jason Xexakis and Marinos, a beneficiary of Exelixi Zois. The youngest pianist to play at the Herodes Atticus Theater and the youngest Greek soloist to perform at the renowned Carnegie Hall in New York and the Royal Albert Hall in London, Stelios Kerasidis, also honored the organisation with his presence. The dinner concluded with a performance by Thodoris Marantinis, a member of the Onirama band, who sang alongside our beneficiary Filio, bringing a magical close to the evening and touching the guests.
In addition, special thanks were extended to the companies that contributed gifts for auction during the event to support the work of Exelixi Zois:
- Ionian Ray Yachting
- Calilo Luxury Hotel
- Dr. Saroglou Peggy
- Mr. Wood
Exelixi Zois is committed to continuing its work with dedication and consistency, aiming to create a more just and promising future for the citizens of our society tomorrow.
ABOUT EXELIXI ZOIS
Exelixi Zois was founded in March 2018 and is dedicated to adolescents and young adults from Closed Child Protection Structures. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) has been a supporter of Exelixi Zois from its inception with its founding donation. Through supportive services of multidimensional intervention, such as educational programs, career counseling, psychological support, sports, and cultural activities, Exelixi Zois facilitates the inclusion of young beneficiaries into society, providing them with the confidence to move forward in life. The organisation's vision is to create a bridge that will facilitate a smooth transition from one age group to another, with the ultimate goal of independent and autonomous living.
