Milestones
- 1953 A group of parents informs Maria Alexander Papagou about the intellectual disability problem and asks for her help in the creation of institutions. Prompt response to their request.
- 1954 Establishment of “Theotokos” Foundation. The Founding Act is published in the Government Gazette in 8/9/1954 in parallel with the granting of 51 acres of public land.
- 1953 A group of parents informs Maria Alexander Papagou about the intellectual disability problem and asks for her help in the creation of institutions. Prompt response to their request.
- 1954 Establishment of “Theotokos” Foundation. The Founding Act is published in the Government Gazette in 8/9/1954 in parallel with the granting of 51 acres of public land
- 1959 Beginning of construction of the building complex exemplary for its time
- 1962 The Financial committee of the Foundation is set up for the completion of construction and equipping of the buildings
- 1963 November 14: Inauguration of the Foundation. Selection of children from the Medical-Educational Center and commencement of the Boarding School with 24 children
- 1964 Opening of the Special School with 30 children aged 6-12 years
- 1969 The number of Special School students gradually reaches 150. The program includes education, speech therapy, mobility and occupational therapy
- 1970 Department of Vocational Workshops for 70 adolescents aged 14-18 years, mostly graduates of the special school
- 1973 Pre-school & Kindergarten Department for 40 children aged 4-6 years
- 1974 Initiation of the Pre-Vocational Education Department. Post-primary school children attend with the aim of preparing them socially and psychologically for vocational training
- 1976 Creation of the Pedagogical Department for 30 children with multiple disadvantages
- 1982 Department of Work Practice for young people with greater difficulties in following the Vocational Workshops
- 1983 Co-financed EU programs begin
- 1985 Creation of the Microelectronics Department
- 1986 With the implementation of the 815/84 program, the Foundation develops new Vocational Departments with modern equipment and renews programs.
- 1988 Creation of an after-school program for the Special School graduates
- 1989 Operation of Vocational Training Workshops for young people aged 18-24. Increase of production, undertaking of external orders and employment of youths in community placements, such as the National Library
- 1992 Supported Employment program "HORIZON” for groups of young adults: outlet selling workshop products, garden maintenance and canteen. All located in the community
- 1995 Expansion of the Rehabilitation team’s work with Job Search, Placement and Monitoring services as well as assistance in adjusting to employment
- 1996 Certification of the Foundation as a specialized center for Vocational Training for Persons with Disabilities
- 1997 Creation of a Fundraising Association for Theotokos called "FYLOSSIA"
- 2000 The National Accreditation Centre selects the Foundation as a Centre of Continuous Vocational Training and the European Union of Supported Employment (EUSE) accepts it as a member
- 2000 Commencement of a pilot program for Early Intervention services
- 2001 The President of Democracy, Mr. Constantine Stephanopoulos, inaugurates the Foundation’s Theater (28.11.2001). The "Stavros Niarchos” Foundation donate funds for its refurbishment and modern equipment
- 2002 Creation of the website www.theotokos.gr. Expansion of the Computer Department
- 2002 Participation in the European Platform for Rehabilitation (EPR)
- 2003 Celebrations commemorating 40 years of continuous operation coincide with the Year of Disabled Persons
- 2003 Participation in the Western Athens network “NEA POLIS”
- 2006 Commencement of the kindergarten integration program for the children attending Early Intervention
- 2007 Research study for graduates titled “THE SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT MODEL AT THEOTOKOS” sponsored by JOHNSON & JOHNSON.
- 2007 Certification with the European Quality in Social Services (EQUASS Assurance).
- 2007 Participation in the “ALL TOGETHER FOR INTEGRATION” network
- 2007 Implementation of the new database “THEOTOKOS”
- 2008 Pilot commencement of the Vocational Preparation and Promotion Centre
- 2008 Creation of the Promotion into Employment Department “ErgAxia”
- 2008 Participation in the International Networks AAIDD and EASPD
- 2008 EQUASS Assurance mark certification
- 2009 Application of a system to record “HIGH RISK” service users
- 2009 Staff training seminar in Therapeutic Ceramics
- 2009 Staff trained and certified in the TEACCH model.
- 2010 Simulation of kindergarten conditions in the EARLY INTERVENTION Department
- 2010 Application of the TEACCH model in the Early Intervention and Pedagogical Departments
- 2011 Use of the ACΗENBACH Checklist
- 2012 Application of the HACCP System in the Early Intervention Department
- 2012 ISO 9001:2008 accreditation
- 2013 ICD-10 population mapping
- 2014 Adult assessments with the new Greek standardized version of the WAIS-IV.
- 2014 Enhancement of the Cooking & Pastry Workshop with a professional chef