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