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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

Paros Blog
May 6, 2022

Armenian Resettlement Coalition Moves 4th & 5th Family From Artsakh to New

Meet the Avetisyan & Manukyan families, the 4th & 5th family from Artsakh to be relocated to Mets Masrik as part of our Armenian Resettlement Coalition.

The Avetisyan Family

Armen Avetisyan went down to the front lines in September 2020 when the war broke out, and returned to his family missing. He later found out that Liza and their four sons escaped from the Chapar-Martakert region of Artsakh to Vardenis with other villagers. The family is now reunited and is looking forward to a fresh start in a new community, where they will farm with a few of the animals they were able to escape with.

The Manukyan Family
Armen Manukyan also was at the front lines in 2020 as a contract soldier. Once the war broke out, Armen’s wife and 7 children escaped to Vardenis with other villagers. Shortly after Armen returned to their home, gathered as many of their belongings as possible and fled with his family. Armen and his family are looking forward to a fresh start in the village of Mets Masrik in their new home and community.

Leading Armenia & diaspora-based community organizations, Focus On Children Now, Teach For Armenia, and The Paros Foundation, have banded together to form the Armenian Resettlement Coalition to immediately address thousands of Armenian families displaced from the Artsakh war who wish to permanently remain in Armenia.

By Narine
Paros Blog
May 2, 2022

The Armenian Sports Hall of Fame Inducted First Class of Sports Legends While Raising Funds for Tavush Youth Wrestling

The Armenian Sports Hall of Fame inducted its first class of sports legends in Glendale, CA on February 26, 2022 and also raised funds for a youth wrestling intramural program in Tavush, Armenia.

The inductees, reaching extraordinary heights in their careers, were Gokor Chivichyan (judo), Vic Darchinyan (boxing), Andranik Eskandarian (soccer), Haig Kelegian (entrepreneur), Tim Kurkjian (baseball analyst/author), the late Ara Paraseghian, (college football coach), the late Jerry Tarkanian, (college basketball coach) and the late Garo Yepremian (football).

 

“My father received many hall of fame honors but if he was here tonight, he would have said this was the most special one,”   

                     
-Danny Tarkanian, accepting the award on behalf of his father Jerry Tarkanian

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Three active athletes were honored for their outstanding service in our community. Migran Arutyunyan, who attended, and Eduard Vartanyan, both volunteered to fight at the frontline in Artsakh during the 2020 war. Also present was Arthur Aleksanyan, the Olympic gold medalist who used his platform for Armenian awareness.

Other athletes were recognized for their “break out” year including Melsick Baghdasaryan, making his UFC debut, Gary Chivichyan, the first Armenian to sign with the NBA G-league and named to the ESPN Espy award and Alex Eskandari, the first Armenian to race in a NASCAR sanctioned event.

“The sports world ecosystem is made up not only with athletes and coaches, but also the
community surrounding it”, said Nadia Silk, ArmHOF board president.

The following people were acknowledged for their contributions in the LA community: Ken
Arutynyan, Nazo Ayranjyan, George Bastnajyan, Tomik Iranosian and Elvis Madatyan and Nara Vardanyan.

Silk thanked the 160 guests for attending this inaugural event at the Vertigo Event Venue. The atmosphere, created by Michael K, was edgy and exciting. Over 30 athletes energized the evening with their presence to celebrate the award recipients, making the evening memorable. The sponsors were acknowledged for their generous support and enthusiasm for the event and Tavush project. They included AussieK, Gracie Barra Tarzana, Hampar Family Foundation, Mr. Henry House of Coffee, Paros Foundation, Wines of Armenia and with a special thanks to Michael Aram. “We are grateful to our sponsors who helped make this event a success,” Silk added on behalf of the ArmHOF board.

Members of the induction event committee included a group of volunteers who worked many hours to see this through; Kristen Abajian, Barbara Harmon, Aram Nahabedian, Allison Taylor, Gina Terkanian, Margo Silk and Brenda Yazujian.

Gegard Mousasi, current Bellator MMA champion, emphasizes the importance of sports in our youth. “It’s much more than a physical activity. It shows the health of a nation.”

By Narine
Press Releases
April 26, 2022

Asdourian Family Helps Two Kindergartens in Shirak Region Becomes a Reality

ASDOURIAN FAMILY LENDS THEIR SUPPORT TO HELP REALIZE THE
DREAM OF KINDERGARTENS IN JAJUR AND KETI COMMUNITIES

The communities of Jajur and Keti in Armenia’s Shirak Region now both have newly established and operating kindergartens thanks in part to the generous support of longtime Paros friends and supporters, Mark and Charlene Asdourian. More than 70 children and their families will receive the benefits of early education thanks to this important project.

In early 2021, the Armenian government working with the consolidated Community of Akhurian in Armenia’s Shirak Region, launched the complete renovation of buildings to house a kindergarten in each of these two communities. Short on funds, they approached The Paros Foundation and Focus on Children Now for support to complete these two kindergartens. The Paros Foundation completed the kitchen renovation and outfitting necessary appliances, furniture and kitchen cooking supplies. Focus on Children Now furnished the kindergarten with the necessary furniture and bedding. Mr. & Mrs. Mark and Charlene Asdourian agreed to generously underwrite the budgets for both kitchens through The Paros Foundation.

“In the next month or so the kindergarten in the neighboring community of Marmarashen will also be ready to open and launch operations. The benefits of early education for these children and their families, and the economic impact of the new jobs created at these three kindergartens is huge. I am pleased that we were able to partner and help resolve issues at these three community’s kindergartens.”
-Peter Abajian, Executive Director

Ms. Jeanette Boras, another friend and supporter of The Paros Foundation, is sponsoring the kitchen completion for the kindergarten in Marmarashen. Once opened, this kindergarten will serve at least 25 children and create at least four more full-time employment positions.

The Paros Foundation has a long history of supporting rural communities and their kindergartens. To date, the Foundation has supported with either partial or full renovations, more than 20 kindergartens throughout Armenia. Currently, the community of Nerkin Tsaghkavan is next in line for the creation of a new kindergarten. For more information or to help sponsor this project please visit our website. As with all our projects, 100% of donor contributions will be applied directly to this project with no hold back for administrative expenses.

By Narine
Paros Blog
April 20, 2022

SERVICE Armenia Scholarship Opportunity Available!

SERVICE ARMENIA SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE!
July 3rd – July 24th

We are proud to announce that the Rosine Kizirian Scholarship is available again by the Kizirian Family for the 2022 SERVICE Armenia trip this summer.

The Rosine Kizirian 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 $400 scholarship towards their SERVICE Armenia trip fee.
SERVICE Armenia Application

This trip will be three weeks with the same programming as past years. Participants aged 17-23 will serve, tour, and play in Armenia. Participant fees are $1,800 per person including a $400 charitable contribution, not including airfare.

*Limited spots remaining

If you have any questions about our SERVICE Armenia 2021 program please call Peter Abajian, Executive Director at (310) 400-9061 or contact him via email pabajian@gmail.com.
By Narine
Paros Blog
April 15, 2022

Help End The Cycle of Poverty By Supporting Debi Arach Children’s Center

Debi Arach provides educational, humanitarian and psychological support to socially vulnerable children in Gyumri. Homework assistance, hot daily meals, enrichment classes and career development courses provide these children the tools they need to help them break their family’s cycle of poverty.
Support Debi Arach

Launched in 2017, the Dr. Gary and Mrs. Linda Assarian Vocational Training Program at Debi Arach provides a variety of specialty training and “get to work” programs for socially vulnerable young people. In 2021, with major support from the Assarian Family, the Hianali Beauty Center and Training Program opened its doors to more than 40 young people eager to learn a skill, work and support their families.

By Narine
Paros Blog
March 28, 2022

Enhancing the Border Village of Aygepar

The village of Aygepar in the Tavush region has suffered greatly due to its proximity to Azerbaijan. Through our various projects like the Emergency Reconstruction Fund, and the Aygepar Business Incubator, we are working to enhance this region.

We are raising $50,000 to complete the renovation of the 24-unit residential building in the village of Aygepar.

REBUILDING AFTER JULY 2020 BOMBINGS

In July 2020, the residents of Aygepar were woken up by bombs falling into their homes. With their proximity to Azerbaijan, their worst nightmare quickly became a reality. In response to this attack, The Paros Foundation made sure to repair the kindergarten, as well as deciding to renovate an entire residential complex adjacent to the kindergarten. Since then, the renovation to the interiors of the units have been completed, but there is still more work to do. As villagers feel more secure and stable in Aygepar, they will be less likely to consider abandoning their homes and moving elsewhere.

Join us in enhancing the border village of Aygepar!

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AYGEPAR BUSINESS INCUBATOR

Our work to enhance the border village of Aygepar is multifaceted. Our main goal is to create a vibrant village, so that residents are encouraged to stay and thrive, rather than flee to other areas or countries.

To further this mission, we have created the Aygepar Business Incubator. Our goal with this is to create an economy of scale where businesses can be housed rent free, have help with marketing, trade routes, and ultimately a viable and thriving business. By creating a safe place for these residents to live and a place for them to grow financially, we are sure Aygepar will become a thriving border village.

By Narine
Paros Blog
March 9, 2022

Gyumri: Ending the Cycle of Poverty

Following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, thousands of people were left homeless in the city of Gyumri. Many of these families took refuge in the overseas shipping containers (domiks) that were shipped into Armenia loaded with humanitarian relief supplies. Although more than a quarter century has passed since the earthquake, this depressive reality still remains. Currently, more than 1,800 families still live in domiks scattered throughout Gyumri in extreme poverty. Many of them are unable to provide for their families’ needs including warm clothes, nutritious food, heat and electricity for their homes and other basic necessities.
Through our many humanitarian projects in Gyumri we are working to end the cycle of poverty. Join us as we make a difference in the second largest city in Armenia through our Purchase-A-Home initiative!
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By Narine
Paros Blog
February 11, 2022

SERVICE Armenia 2022 – Summer

This trip will be two weeks with the same programming as past years. Participants aged 17-23 will serve, tour, and play in Armenia. Participant fees are $1,800 per person including a $400 charitable contribution, not including airfare.

By Narine
Paros Blog
February 9, 2022

Paros Launches New Podcast – Pari Louys With Paros !

PARI LOUYS WITH PAROS IS NOW LIVE!

Wake up to the sweet smell of soorj and learn about different regions in Armenia as we give you a quick dive into life throughout the country. Pari Louys with Paros is your connection to the motherland, where we will learn, grow, and better Armenia, together!

Listen Here: Spotify | Apple | Amazon

Episode #1: Gyumri – Ending The Cycle of Poverty

The first episode of Pari Louys with Paros will be focusing on the second largest city in Armenia, located North-West of Yerevan in the Shirak Region, Gyumri. With a population of about 120,000 people, this city’s growth is hindered by the ramifications of the 1988 earthquake that still hold it’s residents in a cycle of poverty. Juxtaposed against a growing tech industry, among other modern advancements and growth in the region, Gyumri has the unique potential to break free from the cycle of poverty. Join us as we dive deeper into this uniquely positioned region in Armenia.

Episode #2: Tavush – Prosperity On The Border

This episode we will be taking you to the north-east corner of Armenia, to the border region of Tavush. This area is lush with greenery and hills and is home to some of the most beautiful sites in Armenia, including the Dilijan National Forest. Looming over the beauty of this region is it’s vulnerable location, bordered by a sliver of Georgia to the north and Azerbaijan to the North and East, making its position extremely important to our strength as a country. Due to its positioning, however, this area has suffered tremendously from its proximity to Azerbaijan and requires extra attention and care for prosperity to blossom on the border.

Listen Here: Spotify | Apple | Amazon

By Narine
Press Releases
January 5, 2022

Newest Component of the Assarian Vocational Training Program Launched in Gyumri

Dr. & Mrs. Gary & Linda Assarian have a mission to empower people and get them to work. With their support, the Hianali Beauty Center was launched last month both as a high-end, high-quality beauty center and as a training program free-of-charge, for people wishing to work in the beauty services sector in Gyumri.

By Narine