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The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative and overhead costs allowing 100% of all donor contributions to go directly towards projects and supported organizations.

Donations to The Paros Foundation Projects for Prosperity are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. To sponsor a project through The Paros Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 organization (Tax ID 20-5094630), or learn more about specific projects in need of funding, please contact us using the information below.

Contacts

2217 5th Street

Berkeley CA 94710

info@parosfoundation.org

(310) 400 9061

Category: Paros Blog

Paros Blog

Online Auction To Support The Nor Hachen Clinic Is Now Live!

Help us revamp healthcare delivery for residents in the greater community of Nor Hachen!

Support by bidding on our online auction, or if you are in Los Angeles, join us for an enjoyable, informational, and elegant gathering to raise funds to help equip the clinic.

SUPPORT OUR AUCTION

Explore these and other beautiful items here.

YOU’RE INVITED!

If you are in Los Angeles, join us for an enjoyable, informational and elegant gathering to raise funds to help equip the clinic.

$250 Donation – Individuals
$150 Donation – Students
– RSVP by April 15th –

Can’t Attend?
Support by bidding on our auction benefiting the clinic!

For inquiries, please contact Peter Abajian
peter@parosfoundation.org or (310)400-9061

Paros Blog

Update on Artsakh Refugee Support Fund

Dear friends and supporters,

As part of the Paros family of friends and supporters, I would like to present to you our third update on The Paros Foundation’s relief and resettlement activities surrounding the devastating Artsakh situation.

Since our brothers and sisters in Artsakh were first held hostage via blockade for almost 10 months, and then subsequently driven from their ancestral homeland, with the generous support of Paros donors, we were able to accomplish both a significant amount of humanitarian relief work and work on resettling these families into Armenia.

Last month when our team and I, and additional volunteers, were in Armenia, we worked tirelessly to move our relief efforts forward. The situation overall remains heartbreaking. While more than 100,000 people fled Artsakh and were immediately accepted into Armenia, the lack of employment and quality housing is making it difficult for these people to restart their lives. The Government of Armenia has provided rental assistance for these people, and will continue this assistance through the end of 2024. We met several people who have secured meaningful employment, however the majority of people in Yerevan are still looking for work. During my last trip in October to Armenia, we met with refugees and our general feeling was that a regular flow of humanitarian aid was being coordinated and reaching the refugees including food, clothing and some other necessities. During this trip, it was clear that most of that aid had ended.

The following is a detailed report on our work regarding Artsakh and the refugees since December 2022.

LIFELINE SUPPORT

During the blockade of the population of Artsakh (12/22-9/23), The Paros Foundation helped facilitate the urgent delivery of more than 740 tons of food to families in collaboration with other major Armenian organizations.

HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT

  • Following the forced exodus of our brothers and sisters from Artsakh, The Paros Foundation facilitated the delivery of more than $80,000 in direct financial assistance to displaced families from Artsakh. This was done in collaboration with a major Armenian-American organization.
  • In collaboration with Zadur Shoes, 500 pairs of high quality, made in Armenia, winter boots were distributed to refugees throughout Armenia. Additionally, thanks to a generous donation of St. Mary’s Armenian Church, Costa Mesa, CA, 250 pairs of new, high quality, made in Armenia, children’s winter boots were distributed to refugees in Goris, Kajaran, Vardenis and Gyumri.
  • 170 new warm winter coats were distributed to refugees in Goris, Kajaran and Gyumri with the generous financial support of St. Mary’s Armenian Church Costa Mesa, CA.
  • More than 4,500 articles of new and used clothing were distributed to over 1,200 refugees in the cities of Gyumri, Vanadzor and Berd. This effort was completed in collaboration with the leadership and parishioners of Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston.
  • Distributed firewood monthly to more than 25 Artsakh refugee families in the Vardenis village of Meds Masrik for heating and cooking. This effort was made possible both through the support of Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston and donors of The Paros Foundation.

RESETTLEMENT

We have identified permanent housing as perhaps the most critical need for the 101,000 refugees driven out of Artsakh. Permanent housing will be the largest expenditure Paros will be making. Our efforts to date include:

  • Conducting interviews with more than 100 families displaced from Artsakh. These interviews are ongoing both to determine these families’ needs as well as to determine their potential candidacy for our housing program.
  • Moving three families into new permanent homes. One of these homes is in the Vardenis village of Meds Masrik and the other two are in the Syunik community of Kajaran. The home in Meds Masrik was in need of furniture and appliances and thanks to the efforts of Mr. Eric Hacopian via his podcast, and a partnership with the Organization of Humanitarian Services for Armenia, both furniture and appliance funding was received.
  • Moving one family into the village of Aygepar into a fully renovated apartment. This apartment was originally damaged by shelling from Azerbaijan and was renovated following the 2020 attacks along with 14 other apartments in this same building. Furniture and appliances were provided for this apartment through our current fundraising efforts.
  • The purchase and current renovations of six homes for refugee families. This includes four homes in the Vardenis communities of Meds Masrik and Geghamasar, one home in the Berd community of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, and one home in the Kajaran community of Babikavan. Four of these homes will be ready to be occupied by early April. All of these homes are in need of appliances and furniture.
  • Plans to build 10 new homes for displaced families in the Kajaran community of Qeti. Our team spent two days there while I was visiting to finalize the location and to meet with the construction company. A plot of land was secured and a mutually beneficial partnership was created with the local community. Each home will have a 10,000 square foot lot to farm and construction on these homes will be ready by early summer.

Sincerely,
Peter Abajian
Executive Director

Paros Blog

Priority Deadline for SERVICE Armenia 2024 is March 15th!

June 23rd – July 14th, 2024

Priority deadline to apply is March 15th!

SERVE

Participants implement several projects, including helping renovate village school classrooms and distributing humanitarian and educational supplies in rural communities.

TOUR

Throughout the trip participants will visit historic and religious sites such as Lake Sevan, the Mother See of the Armenian Church at Etchmiadzin, Garni, Geghard, Khor Virab, Noravank, and more!

PLAY

Participants will be able to enjoy several meals at many excellent Yerevan restaurants during planned group dinners, and/or prepare meals for themselves during the trip. Accommodations in Yerevan will be secured in a rented home or apartments in a well-located, clean and secure area.

The Paros Foundation is committed to the principle of service and volunteerism. SERVICE Armenia helps develop the relationship between program participants and Armenia. These three week-long service trips are planned to include service projects, educational excursions and outings, and time for leisure and fun activities. The Paros Foundation staff responsible for this program have a tremendous amount of experience working in Armenia and successfully implementing and overseeing service projects and tours.

Participants aged 17-23 will serve, tour, and play in Armenia. Participant fees are $3,000 per person including a $400 charitable contribution, not including airfare.

If you have any questions about our SERVICE Armenia 2024 program please call Peter Abajian, Executive Director at (310) 400-9061 or contact him via email pabajian@gmail.com.

Paros Blog

Donate to Build a Secure, Stable, & Successful Armenia

As 2023 comes to an end, we look back on the deep challenges and positive developments Armenia experienced this past year. Throughout it all one thing has not changed, our dedication to making a positive difference throughout the country. Below are a few highlights of the impact we made this year, and we hope to keep building on the success of each of these projects as we take on 2024. We still have a long and difficult road ahead of us, but it is with your support that we can make that all possible. Learn about each of these projects and the positive impact they are making and consider joining us in continuing that positivity into 2024.

Peter Abajian
Executive Director

Difficult living conditions combined with dangerous conditions in villagers’ fields that are oftentimes adjacent to the border lead to very limited economic opportunities in these communities. These harsh realities lead to declining populations in border communities and ultimately less secure borders.

The Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border initiative focuses on addressing these problems in vital border communities to create vibrant villages and reverse the decline of residents.

Stability in one’s community, one’s home and one’s life is critical not only for our people’s survival but for our ability to prosper. Instability leads to people making rash decisions and leads to migration, insecurity, and our inability to develop our communities. The Paros Foundation’s investment in both urban and rural communities through both our housing and educational programs has created stability in the lives of many of our compatriots and thus within several communities throughout Armenia.

Successfully implemented projects do not just happen. It takes a well-designed program, properly funded and masterly implemented. The Paros Foundation’s 17 years of on-the-ground work in Armenia, its 100% promise to underwrite all of the administrative costs, combined with quality leadership and very capable staff has overseen the successful implementation of more than 330 projects throughout Armenia.

Paros Blog

Help Establish Preventative Care as a Norm

Help make a difference in
Armenia June 23rd – July 5th!

This summer’s Med-Aid ARMENIA 2024 medical trip will take place from June 23rd to July 5th in Armenia. Participants will work to provide essential healthcare delivery, develop programs in Armenia, and facilitate anyone pursuing interests in the healthcare field. Kaiser pediatrician, Dr. Krikor Deramerian will head the trip.

 

 

The trip will include rest, adventure and cultural immersion through visits and tours to several of Armenia’s historic sites.

 

 

All levels & backgrounds (physicians, pre-med students, to attending, nursing, and non-medical personnel) are welcome to apply!

 

 

Healthcare professionals and their accompanying families will experience visits to several of Armenia’s historic sites and tours. The trip will begin and end with time spent in Armenia’s vibrant capital, Yerevan.

Contact Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation, for more information or to reserve your participation.
Tel: (310) 400-9061 or Email: peter@parosfoundation.org

Paros Blog

SERVICE Armenia 2024 Application is Now Live!

June 23rd – July 14th, 2024

The Paros Foundation is committed to the principle of service and volunteerism. SERVICE Armenia helps develop the relationship between program participants and Armenia. These three week-long service trips are planned to include service projects, educational excursions and outings, and time for leisure and fun activities. The Paros Foundation staff responsible for this program have a tremendous amount of experience working in Armenia and successfully implementing and overseeing service projects and tours.

Participants aged 17-23 will serve, tour, and play in Armenia. Participant fees are $3,000 per person including a $400 charitable contribution, not including airfare.

 

 

“Although I had previously visited, this trip allowed me to return with the intention of giving back.”

-Nicole Timour

 

 

“There was not a day on the trip that didn’t go by with laughter and positive energy. And the days we worked the hardest, we had the most fun.”

-Renée Deramerian

If you have any questions about our SERVICE Armenia 2024 program please call Peter Abajian, Executive Director at (310) 400-9061 or contact him via email pabajian@gmail.com.

Paros Blog

Creating a Secure, Stable, & Successful Armenia

When one evaluates a charitable effort, one must consider the organization’s effectiveness among other important criteria. Is the organization making a difference? Are the efforts it’s making on target? Is it reaching its goals?

Paros coordinates with donors, state and local officials and our team of volunteers to develop the best strategy to improve community development, poverty reduction and humanitarian concerns. Our small, but efficient, staff work on the ground to determine the best allocation of resources to help meet our project goals.

The Paros Foundation’s unique model of project-specific philanthropy, 17 years of in-country experience, and its 100% Promise of all funds being directed to projects (not administrative expenses,) makes it the right choice as your charitable partner for your philanthropy in Armenia. Please join our efforts and donate today to help provide a SECURE, STABLE & SUCCESSFUL future for Armenia.

The Aygepar Business Incubator creates local jobs, offers new businesses quality, sanitary space to operate, and creates a sense of economies of scale working with other local start-ups. This all creates a more secure community and more secure border.

Learn more and consider contributing so we can continue building a secure and prosperous form of economy for this region here.

The Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri was launched in 2015 to help add stability in the lives of children and their families devastated by generational poverty. Since its launch, this program has been working to raise their standards of living through holistic programs aimed at changing these children’s lives for the better. High-quality after-school education including homework assistance, daily hot meals, counseling, vocational training, and medical and humanitarian assistance all add needed stability in the development of these children’s futures. Learn more here.

Since our High Tech Education project was launched last year more than 20 schools, colleges, and children’s centers have begun instruction on the proper use, flight, repair, and modification of quadcopter drones. This educational experience encompasses many aspects that broaden student’s perspectives on not only high-tech career possibilities but also the value of technology in many different careers including agriculture and construction. Learn more about the impact these programs are making here.

Paros Blog

Update on Artsakh Refugee Support Fund

Dear friends and supporters,

Our team has accomplished much in a relatively short time and I would like to provide everyone with another short update as to our activities and approach to help our fellow Armenians, who are now refugees in Armenia, that have been ethnically cleansed from Artsakh.

During my recent trip to Armenia, our team visited the communities of Kapan and Kajaran in the South, Gyumri, Berd, Vardenis and Meds Masrik (East and North East of Lake Sevan). In each of these communities, we visited with local leaders and refugee families to discuss both short-term and long-term needs. From these visits and meetings, we determined to work on both short-term humanitarian assistance and long-term, permanent housing, both with the support of partners and donors.

Many people have asked what they can do to help. Honestly, at this moment in our nation’s history, our major focus must be on resettling our Artsakh families as quickly as possible. If we fail in this mission, I would expect a mass exodus to other countries come spring. Please know that our team in Armenia has the capacity to expand our permanent housing effort for our Artsakh families as funds are raised. A permanent home for a family costs approximately $30,000. To date, thanks to your generous support, we have raised just over $400,000 for this effort. Thank you to all of you for your support.

As of today, we have completed the following:

1. Firewood for heating and cooking – We completed the distribution of one month’s supply of firewood for heating and cooking to 20 families from Artsakh in the Vardenis community of Meds Masrik. This effort will continue based on need throughout the winter and will be expanded if needed. The area received its first snow of the season yesterday.

2. Winter boots – Thanks to the generosity of Zadur Shoes (a local Made in Armenia company) who generously partnered with Paros to distribute 500 pairs of high-quality winter boots, we have been able to already distribute 200+ pairs and the distribution will be continuing. In addition, thanks to generous support from St. Mary’s Armenian Church Parishioners, winter boots for children have also been ordered and up to 500 additional children will receive winter boots in the coming weeks.

3. Clothing – Clothing distributions are continuing and additional shipments of new clothing from the US have been shipped to Armenia.

4. Permanent Housing – After our assessment of several communities and visits to several vacant homes, our team has begun the purchase process for the first seven homes (three homes in Geghamasar, three homes in Kajaran and one in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.) Work on renovating these homes will begin as soon as we take possession of these homes. The first two home purchases in Geghamasar are completed and the renovation of them will begin next week. In addition, our team is actively pursuing the identification and purchase of five additional homes within these same communities with the funds we have secured to date.

It is important to note that thanks to the generous partnership of our long-term partner organization and friend, Development Services for Armenia (DSA) also known as the Organization of Humanitarian Services for Armenia, these homes will be equipped with basic appliances as needed. We sincerely appreciate DSA’s friendship and support!

Thank You,
Peter Abajian
Executive Director

Paros Blog

Update on Artsakh Refugee Support Fund

Our team has visited the communities of Kapan and Kajaran in the South, Gyumri, Berd, Vardenis and Meds Masrik (East and North East of Lake Sevan). In each of these communities, we visited with local leaders and refugee families to discuss both short-term and long-term needs. What we have learned is the following:

1. The Armenian Government (with support from international donor countries like USA, France, etc. (I suspect), is providing each person displaced from Artsakh a one-time 100,000 dram (about $250) stipend. In addition, as these families move from shelters, they are providing six months of housing assistance amounting to $120 per person in the family. We have confirmation that both of these amounts are being paid out.

2. International relief organizations are distributing food, clothing, and cots. In addition, both local and diaspora-based organizations are doing some of the same. Those people remaining in hotels and/or public shelters are being fully taken care of as well.

3. Most of the children of these families are getting enrolled in school and are now attending regularly.

4. Debi Arach Children’s Center has opened its doors to all Artsakh children in Gyumri. Debi Arach Director, Aida Khachatryan, and the center’s psychologist are visiting local schools to present the programs and encourage the Artsakh children to attend and receive the support they need. In addition, we have gathered resumes from teachers from Artsakh that we have met with to try and fill a teaching position we have open at Debi Arach.

5. We have accepted at least three Artsakh women into Hianali Beauty Center’s training program, a social enterprise launched and supported by the Gary & Linda Assarian Vocational Training Program. We are also actively trying to hire one hairdresser and a cosmetologist.

Given the reality on the ground in these communities, our short-term plan for humanitarian assistance at this moment is three-fold:

1. Firewood For Heating And Cooking – In the communities of Gyumri and especially Vardenis/Meds Masrik, winter is fierce. The head of the local community urged us to help with firewood. As of today, we have supplied 20 families with one month’s supply of firewood. This will continue based on funding and need.

2. Winter Boots – Most of the families we met with in Gyumri and Vardenis/Meds Masrik told us they only brought essentials and most did not bring or even have appropriate winter clothing. Zadur Shoes, a local Armenian brand, that was started as a partnership with one of our SERVICE Armenia dads and his cousin, are manufacturing and donating 500 pairs of women’s boots. These boots are really excellent quality. We have started the distribution of these boots to women and girls in Gyumri and Vardenis/Meds Masrik. This process is a bit slow as they are size-specific, but we will use Debi Arach as the distribution point in Gyumri and our local contact on the ground in Meds Masrik for the entire Vardenis area. The company is going to also manufacture children’s sizes and we are working to line up donors to help fund winter boots for children in these communities as well.

3. Clothing – We have a variety of new clothing, hats and scarfs and will be distributing these to needy Artsakh families whenever we visit. We have also received a bunch of gently used adult and kid clothing and will be distributing that as well where appropriate (once our team has gone through it all.)

– Long Term Housing Plan –

Our long-term housing plan is absolutely essential to be launched asap. The major problem facing these families is their long-term housing solutions. If they have a place to live and some kind of income, they will stay in Armenia. Otherwise, the outflow from Armenia will continue. Already, we are seeing families from Artsakh applying to leave the country.

We have viewed both homes and buildings in all of the communities we have visited. Our team is already in the process of purchasing three homes in the Vardenis consolidated community village of Geghamasar. This community has fertile land and we are in the process of purchasing now. These homes are generally in good shape, but need renovations prior to them being handed off to families from Artsakh. We are purchasing these homes (all of them have land for a family farm and a barn) for an average of $7,000. The renovation to make these abandoned homes livable including an inside bathroom and heating system will bring the finish price of these homes to about $23,000. This number is approximate and will vary based on the size of the homes. All three of these homes are suitable for 6 to 8 or 9 people. This finished price does not include appliances or furniture. I am hoping we can partner with the local community or other organizations for these items.

The other community in which we are preparing to purchase homes is the Kapan community of Kajaran. This community has homes in an apartment building that need to be completely rebuilt. Our initial estimates saw three homes that we can complete for approximately $24,000 per home including the purchase price (which we are still negotiating). The local community leader is ready to provide each family with a plot of land in the community to farm and is ready to help them find employment also.

In the consolidated community of Berd, we also found three suitable homes, but we will not begin working in this region until we have secured additional funding.

To date we have raised about $220,000. We will purchase, renovate and move as many families into homes as we can raise funds to support. We have already lined up construction crews to begin the renovation work on the homes in Geghamasar. In addition, our team has already begun interviewing families from Artsakh to start the identification process so as soon as the homes are ready, we can move them in.

Ultimately, once we have identified the family and have the home ready, we will follow our established process of gifting them 90% of the home and retaining a 10% ownership in the home for 10 years to ensure they are not tempted to sell it and move out of the country. This model has been very successful in both Gyumri with our domik families and with our 2020 Artsakh families that we have moved into homes.

Any support you would consider making would be greatly appreciated. Our brothers and sisters need us now more than ever. If you have any questions, please ask.

Thank You,
Peter Abajian
Executive Director

Paros Blog

Contribute To Our Artsakh Refugee Support Fund

Dear Paros Supporters:

At this very moment tens of thousands of Armenians are trying to leave Artsakh in light of the attack and its full takeover by Azerbaijan. Almost 7,000 have arrived into Armenia already and we expect this exodus to continue. It is possible that none of the 120,000 Armenians will remain in Artsakh. While the future is still uncertain, the one thing we know for sure is that Armenia will need serious support to help permanently shelter this number of refugees from Artsakh who are fleeing to Armenia.

Following the 2020 War, our team on the ground effectively helped refugees both during and after the war with humanitarian assistance and ultimately turned our focus to rehoming families into Armenia who lost their homes in Artsakh. This helped repopulate two border communities of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur in Tavush, and Meds Masrik in Geghargunik, and benefited the local population, economy and school. We are now launching a similar effort to quickly identify suitable communities to purchase, renovate and rehome refugees as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, we are in this situation again. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to help this important effort.

Thank you,
Peter Abajian, Executive Director

Photo credit: Zartonk Media