A voice for challenging stigma
The Mission
The non-profit Project Xenia is committed to embody the ancient Greek practice of Xenia, which shows hospitality and kindness to strangers. Its mission is to support refugee and migrant children by helping them with basic needs and to rediscover the joy of childhood through friendship, mentoring, and social events.
Project Xenia helps fund scholarships for 40 Ukrainian refugee children at St. Nicholas Cathedral School in Chicago.
The Vision
We envision a society where refugees are welcomed with open arms and given the support they need to rebuild their lives. By creating opportunities for socializing alongside moments of celebration, Project Xenia allows refugee children and teens to reclaim the joy of childhood that they are deserving of.
We Are Centered in 5 Core Values:
Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
Inclusivity: Creating a welcoming environment for all.
Action: Taking tangible steps to support refugee teenagers.
Community: Building strong, supportive networks.
Respect: Honoring the inherent dignity of every teenager.
OUR STORY
Our Founder, Noel Demetrio’s, journey began with her grandmother, who fled Greece due to poverty and was brought illegally to the US in the trunk of a car. Upon entering the US, her grandmother was treated with kindness and grace, allowing her family to plant roots in America. Years later, when Noel was in 3rd grade, she returned to Greece and witnessed a wave of refugees facing starvation. Athenian women provided food and resources, and this act of kindness left a lasting impact on Noel.
Noel learned that Greeks abide by a Golden Rule—helping others even amidst their own struggles. This spirit of Greek generosity impressed her more than the Acropolis or Santorini’s beauty; the true beauty of Greece lay in its human spirit. Inspired by this, Noel recognized that the large wave of refugees being sent to Chicago should also be treated according to this Golden Rule.
Meet Fran
When Noel met Fran, a refugee and fellow teen who was living in the basement of a Chicago church, they immediately struck up a friendship. Although they had many similarities and shared interests, Noel was able to truly understand the vast differences between the life she was living and the trials and tribulations that Fran was living through. Noel knew that if people were able to meet Fran, they could better connect with her - and other refugees - entering their city.
The “Meet Fran” movement was born to help people to know the real stories behind the statistics. By sharing the experiences of refugees like Fran, we hope to humanize the issue and inspire others to take action.
Our Partnership With St. Nicholas Cathedral School
In collaboration with St. Nicholas Cathedral School, Project Xenia provides educational scholarships and activities that foster friendship to ease the challenges faced by refugee children.