donate now
donate now
logotype

No products in the cart.

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

Paros Blog
May 5, 2026

SERVICE Armenia 2026 Deadline is Approaching🇦🇲

Your deadline to apply is approaching but there’s still time
to join us in Armenia this summer!

This is your chance to be part of a meaningful journey that
combines service, cultural exploration, and connection.

You’ll work alongside local communities, experience Armenia in a deeper way, and build friendships that last well beyond the trip.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of something impactful.

Join us while space is still available!

Apply Now
July 2 – July 23, 2026 | Ages 17-22

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

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! Additionally, an overnight trip will be organized to Armenia’s second largest city, Gyumri.

The group will live, work, tour, and play together, creating a lasting bonding experience. 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.

Participant Requirements Have Been Updated!

In addition, each participant is required to fundraise a minimum of $3,000 in donations prior to the start of the SERVICE Armenia 2026 trip. Participants may choose one of the following initiatives to support through their fundraising efforts:

  • Debi Arach Children’s Center Food Program
  • Humanitarian Aid for the Debi Arach Children’s Center (including backpacks, school supplies, winter coats and boots, shoes, and groceries for families in need)
  • Paros Housing, After-School & Vocational Center Project
  • Paros Chamber Choir
  • The Paros Foundation’s Operational Support

Participants are also asked to download, complete, and return the Fundraising Plan Form to The Paros Foundation, outlining their intended fundraising activities and goals.

Apply Here
Fundraising Plan Form
By Narine
Newsletters
May 2, 2026

This Month at The Paros Foundation – April 2026

Construction on the Paros Housing, After-School and
Vocational Center building is entering its next phase

With the building’s structural reinforcement complete, work now focuses on the roof and interior. With a little luck and your continued support, this complex will be completed and occupied by year’s end! If you are visiting Armenia and would like a tour of the building please let us know!

Learn More

Nourishing Armenia Continuing Education

As part of her work with Nourishing Armenia, Stephanie Sudjian, ran a Continuing Medical Education course for Doctors and Nurses in Yerevan. More than 30 enthusiastic local healthcare professionals attended to learn about Nutrition and its relation to maternity health. In addition, Stephanie met with elderly members of the Association of Healthcare and Assistance to Older People in Yerevan to discuss healthy diets and their relation to elder issues.

2nd ArmHOF Wrestling Competion

The second Armenian Sports Hall of Fame interschool wrestling competition was a huge success! This year, 116 children from across the Tavush region, traveling from as far as Ijevan, came together in Berd to compete, nearly doubling participation from our first event. It’s inspiring to see the program grow, bringing more young athletes together.

New Computers Needed

At Debi Arach Children’s Center, students are excited to learn and explore, but computers that are a decade old hinder this experience. Technology plays such an important role in education today, and with the right tools, these kids can keep growing, creating, and building their futures. With your help, we can provide the new computers they need to move forward and reach their full potential. Learn more and donate here.

Visit To Armenia

Our Executive Director, Peter Abajian, recently traveled to Armenia to visit project sites, meet with our local team, and move key initiatives forward. Being on the ground allows for meaningful collaboration and ensures each project is progressing with care and purpose. These visits are an important part of staying connected to the communities we serve and the work we do together.

SERVICE Armenia
Ages 17-22 | July 2-July 23, 2026
More Info

SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals
Ages 23-45 | August 8-August 20, 2026
More Info

Two Decades of Impact: Armenian Diaspora with Peter Abajian

Our latest series, in celebration of two decades of nonprofit work in Armenia kicks off with a discussion about how the Armenian diaspora’s involvement with Armenia has evolved over the past 20 years, and what that means for the years ahead.

Listen Now
Spotify | Apple | Amazon

 

percentage of graduates from the Hianali Beauty Center Vocational Training program successfully working and earning money in their field

By Narine
Press Releases
May 1, 2026

Applications Available for SERVICE Armenia 2026 Program

Los Angeles, CA, May 1, 2026 – The Paros Foundation is excited to announce the launch of its SERVICE Armenia 2026 program, inviting young adults from around the U.S. to participate in impactful volunteer projects throughout Armenia this summer. The initiative continues the Foundation’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections and positive change within Armenian communities.

SERVICE Armenia 2026 offers participants the opportunity to engage in hands-on humanitarian activities, including community development, education support, and environmental projects. Through these experiences, volunteers will not only contribute to Armenia’s progress but also gain valuable leadership skills and a deeper understanding of the country’s rich culture and heritage.

The program is open to individuals ages 17 to 22 and will run from July 2 to July 23, 2026. Participants will work alongside local partners and community members to address pressing needs, build lasting friendships, and inspire future civic engagement. The Paros Foundation provides logistical support, mentorship, and cultural immersion activities to ensure a rewarding and safe experience for all involved.

“We believe SERVICE Armenia empowers youth to become agents of change while strengthening the bonds between the global Armenian diaspora and Armenia itself,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of the Paros Foundation. “We look forward to welcoming a new generation of volunteers eager to make a positive impact.”

Applications for SERVICE Armenia 2026 are now open and will be accepted through May 31, 2026. For more information or to apply, visit www.parosfoundation.org.

By Narine
Newsletters
April 1, 2026

This Month at The Paros Foundation – March 2026

Sustaining Essential Dental Care for Vulnerable Communities at the Prkutyun Disabled Children & Young People Center NGO

Since 2005, the Apelian Dental Clinic at the Prkutyun Center in Yerevan’s Shengavit community has provided free, high-quality dental care to disabled children, youth, and low-income families who would otherwise go without treatment. For many, financial hardship makes even basic dental care inaccessible, turning preventable issues into serious health challenges.

Thanks to the generosity of Dr. George Apelian and recent renovations supported by “My Step” Charitable Foundation, the clinic continues to serve patients in a safe, modern environment. With an annual budget of $36,000 needed to sustain operations, continued support is essential to ensure this vital care remains available to those who need it most. Learn more and donate to this life-changing work here.

Learn More

Community Gym in Gavar
Help support free training and recovery for war veterans in Armenia! In Gavar and Verin Karmiraghbyur, Gevorg has created more than a gym, he’s built a space for strength, rehabilitation, and inclusion. Living with cerebral palsy himself, he offers free training and recovery support to people with disabilities and war veterans who need it most. With your support, this powerful initiative can continue changing lives and reaching even more people in the community. Learn more here.

Lernakert Cultural House
Roof Renovation
Lernakert’s culture house is the heart of its community. This space brings together children, families, and elders through learning, games, and connection. Recent improvements have made a real difference, but urgent support is needed to repair the roof and keep this space safe and thriving for generations to come. Learn more and contribute to help make a difference for the 1,413 members of this community here.

Paros Housing, After-School & Vocational Center
Construction of the Gyumri building is progressing smoothly and remains on schedule. Each phase is coming together as planned, bringing us closer to creating homes and community spaces for those who need them most. We’re encouraged by the steady progress and look forward to sharing more updates as the project continues. Stay updated here.

Meds Masrik Kindergarten Expansion
Work on the renovation continues to move forward steadily, with the expansion on track for completion in the coming months. This progress has been made possible through the support of the Cultural Society of Armenians from Istanbul and Focus on Children Now. Their partnership is helping bring this important addition, including a dedicated kitchen space, to life for the kindergarten. Learn more here.

SERVICE Armenia
Ages 17-22 | July 2-July 23, 2026
More Info

Med-Aid – FULL
June 25-July 8, 2026

SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals
Ages 23-45 | August 8-August 20, 2026
More Info

Two Decades of Impact: Armenian Diaspora with Peter Abajian

Our latest series, in celebration of two decades of nonprofit work in Armenia kicks off with a discussion about how the Armenian diaspora’s involvement with Armenia has evolved over the past 20 years, and what that means for the years ahead.

Listen Now
Spotify | Apple | Amazon

 

number of full time
Paros Foundation Staff
in the US & Armenia

By Narine
Newsletters
February 28, 2026

This Month at The Paros Foundation – February 2026

Farm to Table Produce from greenhouse being
used in school lunches in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur

The students at Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur Primary School are enjoying nutritious meals made with produce grown right in their very own greenhouse. What makes this even more special is that the food on their plates is the result of their community’s own efforts creating a direct connection between learning, nutrition, and sustainability.

By growing their own produce, the school is strengthening food security, supporting local self-sufficiency, and giving children hands-on agricultural education that teaches responsibility, care for the land, and the value of healthy food. It’s a powerful example of how simple, local solutions can create long-term impact for both students and the wider community.

Gyumri Building Is Fully Funded!

The Paros Housing, After-School & Vocational Center in Gyumri is fully funded! 27 families will soon have permanent homes, and the domiks that once housed them will be permanently removed. This building will also become home to a new Debi Arach Children’s Center and the Assarian Vocational Training Center, expanding education and opportunity for the community. Construction is progressing well, and we will continue to share updates as the project moves forward.

Tech Aid For Ghoghanj

Each year, the Kentron and Nor Nork Ghoghanj centers serve approximately 170 students from extremely low-income families who would otherwise have no access to academic support or enrichment opportunities. Their computer lab has reached its useful life and can no longer meet the educational demands of the students. Sponsorship of this project will help provide 24 new desktop computers, giving students reliable access to modern technology. Learn more here.

Goris Autism Center

In Goris and surrounding villages, children with autism currently have no access to specialized services or therapy, because no autism center exists. This project will change that. Once funded and opened, the center will train local therapists and provide comprehensive care for more than 200 children, creating access, dignity, and opportunity for families who have gone without support for far too long. Donate and learn more here.

SERVICE Armenia
Ages 17-22 | July 2-July 23, 2026
More Info

Med-Aid – FULL
June 25-July 8, 2026

SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals
Ages 23-45 | August 8-August 20, 2026
More Info

Charitable Giving with
Eric Nikssarian, CFP®

On our latest podcast episode, Certified Financial Planner, Eric Nikssarian breaks down the many ways to give back, and do so in a way that not only benefits the nonprofit you are supporting but your own financial journey as well.

Listen Now
Spotify | Apple | Amazon

 

the number of students at Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur school benefiting from the fresh vegetables

By Narine
Paros Blog
February 18, 2026

SERVICE Armenia 2026 Info Session – Open to All!

Interested in SERVICE Armenia?

Join our info session on Saturday, 2/21 at 9am PST to learn more about the trip, ask questions, and explore what the experience includes. It’s open to anyone so join us and see if this trip is right for you.

Zoom Link

details to join also found at bottom of email

July 2 – July 23, 2026 | Ages 17-22

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

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! Additionally, an overnight trip will be organized to Armenia’s second largest city, Gyumri.

The group will live, work, tour, and play together, creating a lasting bonding experience. 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.

Participant Requirements Have Been Updated!

In addition, each participant is required to fundraise a minimum of $3,000 in donations prior to the start of the SERVICE Armenia 2026 trip. Participants may choose one of the following initiatives to support through their fundraising efforts:

  • Debi Arach Children’s Center Food Program
  • Humanitarian Aid for the Debi Arach Children’s Center (including backpacks, school supplies, winter coats and boots, shoes, and groceries for families in need)
  • Paros Housing, After-School & Vocational Center Project
  • Paros Chamber Choir
  • The Paros Foundation’s Operational Support

Participants are also asked to download, complete, and return the Fundraising Plan Form to The Paros Foundation, outlining their intended fundraising activities and goals.

Apply Here
Fundraising Plan Form

Zoom Info:

Topic: SERVICE Armenia 2026 Info Session
Time: Feb 21, 2026 09:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85739859270

Meeting ID: 857 3985 9270

—
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,85739859270# US
+16699006833,,85739859270# US (San Jose)
—

Join by SIP
• 85739859270@zoomcrc.com

Join instructions
https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/85739859270/invitations?signature=dQSfCQnsXqC6Kgxd278RZYeBqPMOnFFrCrDb59zZk8E

By Narine
Paros Blog
February 10, 2026

Paros Housing, After-School & Vocational Center Continues To Move Forward!

Paros Housing, After-School & Vocational
Center in Gyumri is Fully Funded!

Because of your support, 27 families will soon have permanent homes, and the domiks that once housed them will be permanently removed. This building will also become home to a new Debi Arach Children’s Center and the Assarian Vocational Training Center, expanding education and opportunity for the community. Construction is progressing well, and we will continue to share updates as the project moves forward. We look forward to opening our doors later this year and beginning this next chapter of impact together.

Learn More

The 1988 Spitak Earthquake caused the death of more than 35,000 people and left more than 100,000 people homeless. Armenia’s second largest city, Gyumri, was most affected by the earthquake. In the years that followed, Armenia’s Independence, the Artsakh War and corrupt regional and local officials contributed to a massive housing crisis, the inability to emerge from this housing shortage, and generational poverty in Gyumri. Today, almost 2,000 domiks are still “home” to people in Gyumri.

Concentrated Impact in Gyumri

Through housing initiatives to permanently reduce domik, or container living, afterschool programs that provide enrichment for the future generation, and vocational training that gives people the opportunity to provide, strides are being made to not only move forward, but to thrive forward.

Listen to learn more:
Spotify | Apple | Amazon

By Narine
Newsletters
January 31, 2026

Paros Turns 20! Reflections from Executive Director, Peter Abajian

Reflections at the Start of Our 20th Anniversary Year

I just returned from our first trip to Armenia of Paros’s 20th anniversary year. It’s hard to believe we’ve been at this for two decades — and humbling to see our work still so needed and so appreciated.

A few impressions from our travels:

  • A Dedicated Core Team: Our full-time project-management team in Hayastan is just five people — no drivers, no office staff, no secretary — only committed patriots who pour their hearts into building a better Armenia.
  • Meaningful Public Infrastructure: With the generous support of individual donors and partners like the Knights of Vartan and Focus on Children Now, we’ve rebuilt schools and kindergartens, enabling tens of thousands of children to learn in safe, sanitary conditions. We’ve also helped bring drinking water and healthcare access to more than ten thousand villagers.
  • Homes and Dignity: Nearly 80 homes have given homeless and refugee families a fresh start. The community home in Goris now allows eight elderly refugees to live with dignity. Our large construction project in Gyumri will soon move 27 more families into new apartments, and we will begin building ten additional homes for Artsakh refugee families in Syunik. Seeing children and families thrive in these homes is profoundly inspiring.
  • Economic Development and Partnerships: Our ongoing initiatives in Gyumri and border communities are creating jobs, training, and educational opportunities — supported by municipal governments and partners such as the Armenian Tree Project.
  • Investing in the Next Generation: Visiting the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri and the Ghoghanj Children’s Centers in Yerevan reaffirmed the importance of supporting our future leaders. Debi Arach — now in its 11th year — will open a second location in our new building once construction finishes. Walking through the dining hall, kitchen, and future classrooms, I could almost hear the laughter and activity of the 27 families who will soon live upstairs and the children who will benefit from the center, the Assarian Vocational Training Program, and our sewing enterprise.

2026 — our 20th anniversary year — should be meaningful, productive, and exciting for our team, our beneficiaries, and our country. I look forward to facilitating SERVICE Armenia, a young-professionals trip, and our Med Aid Armenia program this summer, welcoming hundreds more to connect with the homeland.

A heartfelt thank you to our friends and sponsors whose generosity allows us to continue this vital mission. Want to help? Consider making a tax-deductible contribution to a project of your choice and together we can continue impacting Armenia for the better.

Peter Abajian
Executive Director

By Narine
Newsletters
January 6, 2026

This Month at The Paros Foundation – December 2025

As we begin 2026, we extend our sincere gratitude to our donors, volunteers, and partners whose support made this past year’s projects and programs possible. Your commitment and contributions have created meaningful impact, providing skills, opportunities, and resources to those we serve. We look forward to building on this progress and advancing our mission in the year ahead. Thank you for your continued dedication and partnership.

Year End Campaign – Help Us build Tomorrow

In the spring of 2022, the Gyumri Municipality proposed giving Paros one of Gyumri’s half-constructed buildings with the purpose of Paros completing the building’s construction and housing “domik” families. In addition to the apartments, the building will allow Paros to open a second Debi Arach Children’s Center, additional vocational training programs and a second social enterprise. Following seismic evaluations, it was determined a fourth floor addition was feasible, creating a total of 27 apartments and expanding this project’s benefit.

Learn More

Summer 2026 will be full of fun trips for all age ranges and interests!

SERVICE Armenia
Ages 17-22 | July 2-July 23, 2026
More Info

Med-Aid
All ages welcome | June 25-July 8, 2026
More Info

SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals
Ages 23-45 | August 8-August 20, 2026
More Info

 

Through housing initiatives to permanently reduce domik, or container living, afterschool programs that provide enrichment for the future generation, and vocational training that gives people the opportunity to provide, strides are being made to not only move forward, but to thrive forward. Listen to our latest podcast to learn more.

Listen Now
Spotify | Apple | Amazon

 

Paros will be celebrating its
20th anniversary in 2026

By Narine
Paros Blog
December 19, 2025

Support the Paros Housing, After-School & Vocational Center

With your support, the Paros Housing, After-School & Vocational Center can be one step closer to being complete! This new building will house a second Debi Arach Children’s Center, a vocational training space, and a new social enterprise—bringing stability, opportunity, and hope to Gyumri’s most vulnerable families. We will also add a fourth floor creating 27 safe, permanent apartments for “domik” families still living in heartbreaking conditions. Funds needed to complete the building’s construction are secured through an anonymous contribution. Now funding is needed to furnish and equip the apartments and the second Debi Arach Children’s Center.
Learn More
Project Timeline 

In the spring of 2022, the Gyumri Municipality proposed giving Paros one of Gyumri’s half-constructed buildings with the purpose of Paros completing the building’s construction and housing “domik” families. In addition to the apartments, the building will allow Paros to open a second Debi Arach Children’s Center, additional vocational training programs and a second social enterprise. Following seismic evaluations, it was determined a fourth floor addition was feasible, creating a total of 27 apartments and expanding this project’s benefit.

The 1988 Spitak Earthquake caused the death of more than 35,000 people and left more than 100,000 people homeless. Armenia’s second largest city, Gyumri, was most affected by the earthquake. In the years that followed, Armenia’s Independence, the Artsakh War and corrupt regional and local officials contributed to a massive housing crisis, the inability to emerge from this housing shortage, and generational poverty in Gyumri. Today, almost 2,000 domiks are still “home” to people in Gyumri.

Learn More & Donate

Concentrated Impact in Gyumri

Through housing initiatives to permanently reduce domik, or container living, afterschool programs that provide enrichment for the future generation, and vocational training that gives people the opportunity to provide, strides are being made to not only move forward, but to thrive forward.

Listen to learn more:
Spotify | Apple | Amazon

By Narine