Narine – Page 11 – The Paros Foundation

December 12, 2021

SERVICE Armenia 2021 Young Professionals Successfully Connects with Armenia

Following the successful restart of the SERVICE Armenia program this summer, The Paros Foundation hosted their first SERVICE Armenia trip for young working professionals this October. For seven years Paros has taken young people ages 17 to 22 to Armenia for a month-long service and tour program. While Paros had to sadly cancel their 2020 trip, they couldn’t keep their young and eager future participants away for long. Following the difficult year due to the war, Paros had an influx of interest from young professionals who also wanted to visit Armenia, tour and participate in service work and give back professionally.

“We decided to expand our SERVICE Armenia program to those ages 24 and older, who are interested in making a difference in Armenia. Our goal with the Young Professionals trip was not only to be able to make a difference in their lives by connecting them with Armenia, but to also facilitate this group giving back to their homeland with their various professional experiences.”
-Peter Abajian, Executive Director

During an unforgettable two-week period, the SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals group accomplished several service projects. The group worked on hard work flooring and painting the Ghoghanj Children’s Center, an organization The Paros Foundation supports in the Nor Nork neighborhood of Yerevan. The group implemented an orphan excursion for children from the Yerevan Children’s Home. They assembled food packets and distributed them to impoverished families, as a part of our Groceries for Gyumri project. The group also spent the day in Gyumri where they visited the Debi Arach Children’s Center and attended the opening of the much-anticipated Hianali Beauty Center, a Project of the Assarian Vocational Training Program. Among the highlights of the visit to Gyumri included a visit and tour of Digital Pomegranate, a high-tech company based in Gyumri, and the site of another vocational training program sponsored through Paros.

“SERVICE Armenia was the best experience for my first time visiting Hayastan. The program provided a breadth of activities and historical tours that left me feeling more connected to my culture and homeland. We started out as a group of individuals and became a family by the end. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone considering visiting Armenia”

-Eric Nikssarian, SAYP 2021 Participant

The SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals group also toured historic, religious, and cultural sites in Armenia alongside their service. The program had English speaking staff and guides, safe and well-located accommodations and transportation combined with interesting cultural and educational activities. Dates for the 2022 SERVICE

Armenia Young Professional’s trip are set for October 14 to 30, 2022. The program is open to participants ages 24 to 45.

By Narine

Paros Blog

October 7, 2021

Sponsor-A-Hive, Create An Immediate Economic Impact

We are excited to announce our latest initiative, Sponsor-A-Hive! With every $250 donation you will be able to support one hive in the village of Verin Tsakhavan through the Aygepar Business Incubator. To make it even sweeter, each sponsorship comes with a jar of honey from these bee hives, with an optional customizable label, perfect for gifting, or enjoying yourself!

Each sponsored hive will create a ripple effect of positivity for the economy of Armenia, as the entire process of creating the honey will happen in the country. In the long term, expanded honey production will create commercially viable quantities of honey both for local consumption and export.

Due to the limited nature of the hives, there are only 150 hives and jars of honey available for sponsorship. Help us provide an immediate positive economic impact and receive the gift of honey! If you would like to sponsor a hive, please donate and fill out the custom label form using the link in our bio. Honey will be sent out after November 1st.

This initiative will lead to expanded job creation and opportunities in the market place as all components of this important project are manufactured locally in the Armenian market including hives, bee families, wax starter sheets and concrete block stands. Even the glass jars for sale are manufactured in Armenia!

By Narine

Paros Blog

September 24, 2021

Ghoghanj Children Win at First-Ever Drone Competition

The children of the Ghoghanj Children’s Center recently competed in the first-ever Armenian drone competition, and won! This competition was put on by the Karen Vardanyan Educational Foundation, named after the late Karen Vardanyan who helped implement robotics and drone research in schools. The prize was sponsored by Picsart, international company based in Armenia.

As part of the Paros family of organizations supported in Armenia, Ghoghanj provides after school and summer care for children at two locations in Yerevan. Activities like this drone competition help these children find their passions and ultimately sets them up for a future of success.

The Ghoghanj Children’s Center located in the Kentron of Yerevan provides after school and summer school programs for approximately 60 children every month. Children who attend the Center are loosely defined as “at risk.” These children typically come from very poor households, often times with a single head of household, who cannot pay for such assistance. The goal of the Ghoghanj Children’s Center is to provide the necessary academic, psychological and social support to ensure that the children attending mature to well adjusted, successful, young adults.

By Narine

Paros Blog

September 22, 2021

Two New Families Now Resettled Through The Armenian Resettlement Coalition

We are excited to announce that the Yegoryan and Beglaryan Families from Artsakh have moved into their new homes through the Armenian Resettlement Coalition. These are the first two families to be moved into Mets Masrik, a new village for the ARC initiative. Mets Masrik is in the Gegharkunik Region near the city of Vardenis and many refugee families have taken shelter in this area after the war.

A huge thank you is due to our coalition partners Focus On Children Now, Teach For Armenia, and Sahman NGO. Additionally, a huge thank you to all of our donors who contributed to our matching fundraiser to make a difference for our displaced brothers and sisters. Together we can make a true difference for these families.

The Yegoryan Family and their seven children fleed their home of 22 years in Yeghegnut, Shahumian Region of Artsakh. They moved around for months with hope that they could return back to their home, where they enjoyed life comfortably. Although they aren’t able to return, the Yegoryan Family is thankful to now have a permanent home where they can have a fresh, safe start, as a family.

The Beglaryan Family and their five children lost their home in Nor Erkej, Shahumian Region, in Artsakh. The family was separated as both parents worked as chefs in the military base. Once the war began David sent his wife and children to evacuate. He couldn’t escape until the ceasefire, when he took what he could and left. Now reunited with his family, they look forward to brighter days in their new home.

ARC Partner Organization Responsibilities
The Paros Foundation is financially responsible for purchasing homes, home renovations and its staff to identify and screen families for resettlement. Sahman NGO, will finance, design and implement a significant economic support effort to enable each family to successfully generate enough income to support themselves. Focus on Children Now (FCN) will completely furnish the family home including major appliances and will supplement each of the family’s children with a three-month nutrition plan. In addition, FCN will underwrite the tuition of all kindergarten-aged children to attend school and secure the benefit of early education. Teach For Armenia will provide each school-aged child a computer tablet and internet connection. In addition, Teach For Armenia’s Emergency Education Program will work directly with school leadership to provide additional educational and psychological support for these children as part of their community transition and integration. Coalition partners will offer final approvals for all aspects of the complete package for each family.

For more information, please contact any of the coalition partners or email
armenianresettlementcoalition@gmail.com

Focus on Children Now (FCN)
Sahman NGO
Teach For Armenia (TFA)
The Paros Foundation

By Narine

Press Releases

September 9, 2021

First SERVICE Armenia Trips Back Since 2020 Connect Diasporan Youth & Young Professionals to Armenia

Since 2013, The Paros Foundation’s SERVICE Armenia program has taken young people ages 17 to 22 to Armenia for a month-long service and tour program. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Paros had to sadly cancel their 2020 trip, but couldn’t keep their young and eager future participants away for long. Paros returned to Armenia this summer with 12 participants for yet another life-changing and successful SERVICE Armenia trip.

“SERVICE Armenia connects young people from throughout the United States to one another and to the homeland in a meaningful and lasting way. I am so happy we were able to offer this summer’s program in a safe and successful manner.”
-Peter Abajian, Executive Director

Although this year’s program was only for a two-week period, the SERVICE Armenia group accomplished an amazing amount of service work. The group worked on painting the Ghoghanj Children’s Center, an organization The Paros Foundation supports in Yerevan and refurbishing and painting the outdoor playground at the Kindergarten & Preschool in the village of Paruyr Sevak. The group implemented orphan excursions for children from the Yerevan Children’s Home and the Kharpert Home for Special Children. They assembled food packets and distributed them to 50 impoverished families, as a part of our Groceries for Gyumri project. The group also spent the day at the Debi Arach Children’s Center during which they helped teach the children American Football as a part of the American Summer Grant awarded to the center.

Alongside the SERVICE Armenia program, The Paros Foundation hosted their medical mission, Med-Aid Armenia, this summer with the leadership of Kaiser Permanente Pediatrician, Dr. Kirkor Deramerian. He was joined by three SERVICE Armenia participants interested in the medical field to help conduct basic eye, ear and physical exams at the Kentron and Nor Nork Ghoghanj Children’s Centers, the Paruyr Sevak Preschool & Kindergarten and the Debi Arach Children’s Center.

“Armenia is struggling, and working hard, to meet the needs of its people. We must all do our part as Armenians, and citizens of the world. Med Aid Armenia worked to do its part by helping give kids & families access to the most important and basic need: Health. With this, they can have an opportunity for a healthy and successful future.”
-Dr. Krikor Deramerian.

Due to overwhelming interest from young adults and professionals to join SERVICE Armenia, The Paros Foundation has decided to host their first ever SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals trip this fall! This program is open to participants 24 years of age and older and will include professional opportunities and official meetings in addition to tours to historic, religious and cultural sites in Armenia and service work on Paros projects. The program has English speaking staff and guides, safe and well-located accommodations and transportation combined with interesting cultural and educational activities that will ensure all will have an engaging and memorable experience.

Applications are available on The Paros Foundation’s
website www.parosfoundation.org. Participants need not be of Armenian descent; the program is open to everyone. Knowledge of the Armenian language is not required. Join us and create a lifetime of great memories and friends. The deadline to submit the completed application is September 15, 2021. Contact Peter Abajian at
(310) 400-9061 for more information.

By Narine

Paros Blog

September 1, 2021

Assarian Vocational Training Program Launches New Luxury Beauty Salon & School

We are so excited to announce that a new cosmetology program has been added to the Assarian Vocational Program that will serve as a vehicle for impoverished people from Gyumri to learn new skills and secure gainful employment. The program is designed to teach skills such as hairdressing/barbering, esthetics, makeup application, manicure/pedicure and children’s hair in a luxury salon with the goal of providing high-quality training within the framework of a social enterprise.

A huge thank you to the Assarian Family, whose vision and funding helped create this new opportunity for the people of Gyumri! With their help we were able to launch the Assarian Vocational Center, that has been hugely successful in providing a high level of training for students to eventually obtain work and support themselves and their families out of poverty.

The Assarian Vocational Program started with the help of the Dr. Gary and Linda Assarian Family Foundation, as an opportunity for students of Debi Arach to learn valuable skills in areas like technology for future employment opportunities. Since 2017, the program has grown to be a hugely successful vehicle to bring the young generation of Gyumri out of poverty for good. With partnerships like learning opportunities with Digital Pomegranate for coding, knowledge in textiles through the local Lentex factory, beauty salon training and more the vocational program is setting up these participants to change their own lives.

“Our goal is to help people learn a skill and successfully gain employment. We are excited to support Paros in these innovative programs and their future plans.”

-Dr. Gary Assarian

By Narine

Paros Blog

July 23, 2021

POW: Injured and Captured for 70 Days, Returns to New Business

Prisoner of war, Narek Amirjanyan, was wounded, captured, and held for 70 days against his will by Azerbaijani forces. Upon his return, like many with the same fate, he was left with very few options for work, and a family that was in a poor financial position. Through money raised from our matching Emergency Relief & Reconstruction Fund, we were able to help support Narek get established with a chicken farm in the town of Ayrum where he lives. To celebrate this new start, Paros Executive Director, Peter Abajian joined the governor of Tavush, Hayk Ghalumyan, head of the Ayrum Consolidated Community, Arayik Paranyan and member of Parliament Hayk Sargsyan in Ayrum. A special thank you to Hayk Sargsyan and his close circle of friends who initiated this project and approached us for partial funding. And a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to our matching fundraiser in 2020.

By Narine

Paros Blog

July 19, 2021

Five Families Now Resettled Through The Armenian Resettlement Coalition (ARC)

Family, friends, and fellow villagers joined the Armenian Resettlement Coalition (ARC) partner organizations as they cut the ribbon on the fourth and fifth family’s new homes in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur. Local officials from both the village and the Berd Consolidated Community welcomed the Avetisyan and Ayvazyan families. “We are so happy to have this inflow of new students and young people into our community,” said Nara Papyan, Principal of the school in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur. “Our students and teachers are very excited to welcome these new students into our school and allow them to benefit from the wonderful resources available at our school.”

In the next month, two additional families will be resettled into the village and integrated into the village’s community and economic life through the resettlement efforts of ARC. Following this, ARC will begin resettling families into the Geghargunik Region village of Mets Masrik. By addressing the critical issue of resettlement in a complete and comprehensive manner, ARC’s beneficiary families will have the greatest chance for success in their new communities. The budget for one family resettlement is $37,500, and ARC partners have committed a total of $300,000 to resettle the first eight families.

Focus on Children Now (FCN), Sahman NGO, Teach For Armenia and The Paros Foundation formed the Armenian Resettlement Coalition (ARC) to address the thousands of Armenian families displaced from the Artsakh war that wish to remain in Armenia permanently. Each of ARC’s partner organizations addresses and supports an essential aspect of this complete restart for these families in Armenia.

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ARC Partner Organization Responsibilities
The Paros Foundation is financially responsible for purchasing homes, home renovations and its staff to identify and screen families for resettlement. Sahman NGO, will finance, design and implement a significant economic support effort to enable each family to successfully generate enough income to support themselves. Focus on Children Now (FCN) will completely furnish the family home including major appliances and will supplement each of the family’s children with a three-month nutrition plan. In addition, FCN will underwrite the tuition of all kindergarten-aged children to attend school and secure the benefit of early education. Teach For Armenia will provide each school-aged child a computer tablet and internet connection. In addition, Teach For Armenia’s Emergency Education Program will work directly with school leadership to provide additional educational and psychological support for these children as part of their community transition and integration. Coalition partners will offer final approvals for all aspects of the complete package for each family.

By Narine

Paros Blog

June 1, 2021

SERVICE Armenia Deadline & Scholarship Opportunity

Today is the deadline to sign up for the June Service Armenia trip, as well as the Summer Young Professionals trip! If you were thinking about signing up for either of these trips today is your last chance! Please note SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals Fall trip deadline has been extended. We are also excited to announce that a scholarship opportunity is now available for all applicants!

The Rosine Kizirian Service Armenia scholarship honors the love that Rosine had for her Armenian culture. Raising her children and grandchildren in America, Rosine was dedicated to imparting her wisdom of the Armenian language, faith, and culture onto her family. Her commitment to preserving the Armenian culture helped shine a guiding light on so many young Armenians. This scholarship will be awarded to someone who exemplifies a similar love and curiosity for their Armenian identity. One recipient will receive a $300 scholarship towards their SERVICE Armenia trip fee.

Scholarship Qualifications: Must be applying to participate in one of the three SERVICE Armenia 2021 programs with The Paros Foundation

Essay Prompt: In 300 words or less, either tell your story of Armenian identity and what it means to you or why a trip to Armenia is important to you. Please submit your prompt to Sofia, Sofia@cobaltsapphire.com by June 15th. The winner of the scholarship will be announced shortly after.

June 30th – July 18th, 2021

SERVICE Armenia Application

Summer: July 16th – August 1st, 2021 Fall: October 15th – October 31st, 2021

SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals Application

Covid 19 Protocol Applicants are strongly encouraged to participate only if they have been vaccinated against Covid-19. The healthcare system in Armenia is overwhelmed and therapeutic treatments may not be available if you contract Covid 19. If you become ill with Covid 19, please note you will be quarantined at your own expense and will not be able to participate in the SERVICE Armenia program, and your fees will not be reimbursed. A clear PCR test result will be required upon arrival at the airport in Armenia (if you have already not taken one within 72 hours of your departure.)

By Narine

Paros Blog

May 27, 2021

Help us plant #rootsattheborder in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur

More than 800 high quality fruit trees are being planted with a drip irrigation water system in the border village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur (NKA) in our mission to plant #rootsattheborder. Economic opportunities in border villages like NKA are extremely limited due to lack of investment and safety issues. Without

these opportunities, families are forced to either find work elsewhere, or move out of the region entirely.To help mitigate this and stimulate the local economy we have recently established a small orchard in the village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur. The orchard will be located on the grounds of the local school and will serve as a teaching opportunity for the students, along with providing economic support to the entire community. We need $40,000 more to sustain the orchard for the next three years. Help us plant roots in the border village of NKA so the community can be equipped with a viable local economy.

We are so excited that our #rootsontheborder initiative will also serve as a teaching opportunity for the local children as a living classroom. Learning about the agriculture that is now rooted in their community will give the children a sense of pride and ownership of the orchard that is helping their very own community, from start to finish.