When we founded the Debi Arach Children’s Center in 2015, our goal was clear: to transform the lives of children in Gyumri who were living in extreme poverty, with little hope for a brighter future. Ten years later, thanks to the unwavering support of generous donors throughout the country, we’ve touched the lives of thousands of children and their families—providing an enriching, nurturing environment that has helped them build promising, successful futures.

Today, the Center continues to be a lifeline for children from underprivileged families. We offer robust academic support, computer and robotics classes, nutrition education, daily hot meals, psychological counseling, medical and dental check-ups, supervised bathing facilities, enrichment programs, extracurricular activities, and educational field trips. All of these services are delivered in a welcoming space that includes a full kitchen, dining room, seven classrooms equipped with SMART or LED projectors, a dedicated computer and robotics lab, five restrooms, a nurse’s station, and a psychologist’s office.

We proudly serve 180 children three times a week, completely free of charge. Our annual budget breaks down to just $500 per child per year—a small investment with a powerful return. Your support makes this possible!

Debi Arach has become a cherished institution in Gyumri. In 2022, The Paros Foundation was entrusted with one of Gyumri’s unfinished buildings to develop housing for 27 families currently living in “domiks,” to host vocational training programs and a social enterprise, and a second children’s center. The new center will occupy 6,000 square feet on the building’s first floor, with construction set to begin in the summer of 2025.

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution today by visiting our website or sending a check to The Paros Foundation to 2217 5th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. To all our donors: thank you for believing in our mission and helping us reach this milestone.

We look forward to the next 10 years of changing lives—together.

Peter J. Abajian
Executive Director