Descrizione dell'organizzazione

The Greek Catholic Roma Mission (GRM) is an independent legal entity (church organization) which derives its legal personality from the Greek Catholic Church in Slovakia and which was established on 1 August 2017 by the Archbishop of Prešov and Metropolitan Mons. Ján Babjak, SJ. Prior to the establishment of GRM, we implemented our activities within the Greek Catholic Formation Center for Roma in Čičava. The beginnings of our activities date back to 2005. Efforts to cover these activities led us in 2017 to establish a church organization "Greek Catholic Roma Mission" which has a regional reach and local branches. Today we are present in 18 villages across 4 districts of eastern Slovakia’s Presov Region (Vranov nad Toplou, Bardejov, Stara Lubovna, Presov). Together with Roma people themselves we have built 5 spiritual & social facilities.

The mission of the Greek Catholic Roma Mission is to initiate, expand and deepen social change in the Roma communities in the Prešov Region in Slovakia, through a variety of pastoral, formation, spiritual, cultural and social activities.

The pillars of our activity are:
- QUALITY: We do not go on the surface but in depth.
- RESIDENCE ACTIVITIES: For young people and adults. Outside the Roma community.
- FORMATION: Forming people in small groups.
- MOVE IT NEXT: If you have accepted, you must also pass.

The organization Greek Catholic Roma Mission in Slovakia:
• helps to bring about lasting social change in Roma communities,
• emphasizes the need for volunteering and also for the Roma to take an interest in their surroundings and take an active approach to solving problems;
• cooperates with local stakeholders (municipality, school, organizations, activists),
• systematically works to form Roma leaders who will influence Roma communities from inside to outside,
• emphasizes the personal accompaniment of the Roma and works with entire Roma families.

The main programs (activities) are:
- Roma volunteering as a social innovation,
- Spiritual accompaniment of Roma families,
- Roma leadership - educational program,
- Friendship (overcoming prejudices) of the Roma and other populations at the local level,
- Tutoring of Roma children in the form of Montessori pedagogy,
- Art program - music, theater, fine arts, wood carving,
- Operation of the Savore SIGORD Multifunctional Residence Center.
- Environmental activities

The primary target group is Roma families (adults, children, teenagers). Non-Roma adults, children and teenagers are a secondary target group.

Roma mission is mission possible! It has always been. It will always be.